Iowa Central visual arts instructors and students have created multiple murals showcasing Iowa’s history which are now on display at the Matt Cosgrove River’s Edge Discovery Center.

“We are super excited to add the story of Iowa’s geologic history to the educational exhibits at the River’s Edge Discovery Center,” said Matt Cosgrove, Webster County Conservation director. “The exhibit is great for all ages and is a beautiful representation of Iowa’s past. The Iowa Central Community College art instructors and students did an amazing job researching and creating panels that are colorful, realistic and educational depictions of the different geologic time periods. It’s one thing to tell children that Iowa was covered by seas, but it’s another to show them the incredible creatures that once lived where they do today. The project has been a great partnership and an excellent way to showcase the amazing local talent in our area.”

Iowa Central instructors Jennifer Dutcher and Michael Baird led students through the project which included in-depth research into Iowa landscape, plant life, and species at various time periods in state history.

“It was not only a fun challenge for us as instructors, but also for the students, who embraced this opportunity with creativity,” said Dutcher, who is a professor of humanities and art coordinator. “The mural panels turned out amazing. They serve as both a successful learning experience and, more importantly, a service-learning opportunity allowing students to share their talent and skill with the community.”

-Submitted photo
From left, Iowa Central instructors Jennifer Dutcher and Michael Baird, and student Alexandra Rogers are pictured. These three, as well as multiple Iowa Central Community College visual arts students, designed and created a series of murals showcasing the geologic evolution of the State of Iowa.

According to Dutcher, student Alexandra Rogers was also part of the project and went above and beyond in designing and painting the murals.

The murals, which include vivid images of dinosaurs, sea animals, cavemen and women, and more, are part of a geologic timeline and upcoming archaeological exhibits which are part of an ongoing partnership with the Sanford Museum in Cherokee and will be on display at River’s Edge Discovery Center.

“The exhibits will be great additions to help us tell Iowa’s story and are part of the Conservation Department’s continued efforts to add new and exciting content that encourage return visits to the River’s Edge Discovery Center,” said Cosgrove.