Iowa State University will open a state-of-the-art contemporary museum in Morrill Hall on the university’s central campus on March 22. The Christian Petersen Art Museum, named after the artist-in-residence at Iowa State for some 20 years, will be the nation’s first campus museum dedicated to campus public art and visual literacy and learning.

The new museum will house 700 drawings and sculptures by Petersen and more than 300 models and drawings of contemporary public art projects commissioned since 1980. It will comprise two galleries along with collections storage, a small conservation and object/exhibit preparation area and shipping and receiving areas. The galleries will create exhibition space for work by Christian Petersen, as well as space top house exhibitions by contemporary artists that explore current issues and invoke contemplation, just as Petersen once did.

In conjunction with the museum’s opening on March 22 there will be open houses at all university museums facilities, allowing visitors to view newly installed exhibitions to celebrate Iowa State’s 149th birthday and the beginning of its sesquicentennial year.

All open houses will be available for visitation from 11 am to 4 pm, and special transportation will be provided between venues. Shuttle vans marked for the open houses will rotate to each of the sites in 20-minute intervals. The open houses and tours are free and open to the public.

Inaugural exhibitions at the Christian Petersen Art Museum include “The Art Students League of New York: Highlights from the Permanent Collection” and “Christian Petersen: Urban Artist, 1900-1934.” Refreshments will be provided and tours will take place every half hour.

An opening soiree will be conducted at the Christian Petersen Art Museum on March 22 from 7:30 to 10 pm. Hors d’oeuvres, desserts, nonalcoholic beverages and a cash bar will be offered at the black tie optional event.

Admission prices are $25 per ticket for a university museums member and $10 per ticket for an Iowa State University Student with a valid ID. After March 1, remaining tickets will be available to nonmembers for $45 each.

Public hours of the Christian Petersen Art Museum will be announced at a later date.

For more information, visit www.museums.iastate.edu or call 515-294-3342.