Exhibitions
With over three hundred works by local and regional artists, the Hearst Center Permanent Collection provides a fascinating perspective on Iowa, the Midwest and the nation.
For more information on exhibitions and the permanent collection, email
Curator/Registrar, Emily Drennan.
To propose exhibition or a gift to the permanent collection, view our Hearst proposal guidelines.
CURRENT
IT’S TOUCHING: ART YOU CAN FEEL
June 4-August 2, 2026
Public Reception: Thursday, June 11 from 5:30-7:00 p.m.
We invite visitors to experience art through their fingertips. It’s Touching is a tactile exhibition featuring 12 works by regional artists meant to be explored by touch. Challenging the usual “do not touch” rule, the show celebrates accessibility and the sensory richness of texture, form, and material. Designed to engage audiences of all abilities—including those with limited vision—It’s Touching creates a new way to connect with art. Visitors can vote for their favorite piece, for a Community & Accessibility Best In Show. Funding for this project is made possible in part by the Cedar Falls Community Foundation and the Cedar Falls Art and Culture Board.
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An installation within this exhibition from Visual Spectrums x Public Space one is on view in the center of the gallery. The Visual Spectrums Collaborative Arts Project is a group of artists, community member, and art appreciators of all kinds of visual abilities working together to create an inclusive arts exhibit that explore how people with diverse visual experiences might embrace the seeing arts.
Inspired by her personal journey with vision loss, Iowa writer, Jocelyn Engman joined Iowa artist, Cheryl Weatherford to found Visual Spectrums. Support is provided by the Big Field Fund, a program of PS1. Funding provided by the Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts. More info via visualspectrums.org.
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CAST YOUR VOTE for your favorite artwork! the artists with the most votes at the end of the exhibition will receive the Best in Show – Community & Accessibility blue ribbon award, chosen by visitors like you. Voting closes on August 2 at 10:00 a.m.​
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Official press release for the exhibition.
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ODE TO THE POSTER ARTIST HENRI DE TOULOUSE-LAUTREC
June 4-August 2, 2026
In this year marking 125 years since the death of Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, the Hearst Center displays a selection of posters made in homage by designers and artists from around the world. Generously gifted by Gary and Linda Kelley in 2003, the complete set of posters is held in the permanent collection at the Hearst. Featured artists include Milton Glaser, Étienne Delessert, and Gary Kelley.
Launched in 2001 on the occassion of the 100-year anniversary of the death of Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, Dutch poster artist Anthon Beeke asked one hundred renowned graphic designers to design one poster each, paying tribute to the artist and his work. These posters went on display at the exhibition, Le Nouveau Salon Des Cent at the Centre Pompidou in Paris in the winter of 2001. The exhibition has since traveled to
many cities around Europe, Asia, and America. The complete set of the poster was exhibited in the Hearst galleries in 2004.
Toulouse-Lautrec became renowned for his modern depictions of daily life in Paris. He is known as one of the greatest painters of the Post-Impressionist period.​
UPCOMING
Eye Wood: Works by William Close
September 11-December 6, 2026
Iowa Interiors: Original Book Illustrations by Claudia McGehee
September 10-December 6, 2026
In 1926, Cedar Falls author Ruth Suckow published Iowa Interiors, the short story collection that established her national reputation. To commemorate the 100th anniversary of this publication, a centennial edition of the book, co-edited by Julie Husband and Jim O'Loughlin, will be released this fall by Final Thursday Press. This edition will feature commissioned illustrations by Iowa-based artist Claudia McGehee. The exhibit will highlight McGehee's original work for the collection and celebrate a century of Iowa Interiors.
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CLASSROOM LEVEL GALLERY
CLASSROOM LEVE GALLERY AT THE HEARST CENTER
Rotating exhibitions every two months
June/July: Artwork by Marion Boyer
August/September: Artwork by Janet Drake
Online l Hearst Permanent Collection
John Page
View original etchings as part of the Hearst Permeant Collection.
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Gary Kelley l Sleepy Hollow
View the original pastels in the Hearst Permanent Collection as part of the 1990 novel, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow: Original Book Illustrations by Gary Kelley.
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Exhibition James Hearst Interpreting The Farmstead l The Hearst Legacy Site
View original works of art selected from the Hearst Permanent Collection, as part of this grant funded project.