CALS Innovation Inspiration Artwork

CALS Innovation Inspiration Artwork

Panoramic view of a mural on the wall outside two classrooms.

Story behind the art pieces

The immersive art display found on the fourth floor of the Student Innovation Center, outside the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences collaborative learning labs (SICTR 4227 and 4229), was a multi-year, collaborative project among faculty, staff and students from across campus.

The goal of the project was to showcase all the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences represents. When individuals view the art pieces, the hope is they will be inspired by agriculture and the life sciences and want to learn more about those areas.

Inspiration for the final art pieces came from the November 2021 design charrette. This event brought together students from CALS and the College of Design to spend two days creating design concepts for the two collaborative learning labs. It was a great opportunity for the CALS students to share with the design students what CALS is all about.

Artist Reinaldo Correa Díaz, owner of Reinaldo Correa Studio and former College of Design faculty member, was hired to bring the students’ ideas to life. The resulting artwork pieces are a six-panel mural of an agricultural landscape, "Harvest of Knowledge: Innovation and Inspiration," and a bee and pollen mobile, "SWARM."

Funding for the art pieces came from Farm Credit Services of America and the Student Innovation Center.

Learn more about the story behind the artwork 

Harvest of Knowledge: Innovation and Inspiration

The “Harvest of Knowledge: Innovation and Inspiration” mural is a visual celebration of Iowa and the pioneering students, faculty and staff whose learning, discovery and engagement have filled our history and continuing advancements at the Iowa State University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS)! As one of the world’s foremost institutions in agriculture and life sciences, CALS stands as a beacon of leadership in these broad and impactful disciplines and industries. This has been the case from the establishment of this great land-grant university, to everyday, and in all of Iowa’s futures.

This hexaptych composition, stretching over 75 feet, weaves together six distinct yet interconnected scenes, each narrating the story of CALS’ mission-driven teaching, research and extension, and its profound impact on Iowa and around the world. What unites these scenes is a common denominator: the land and its people. Each panel explores the multifaceted relationships between them and their intersection with the natural, social and technological sciences.

Panel of a mural on a wall outside a classroom

Giants of the Midwest

The mural opens with the towering grain bins, iconic giants of the Midwest, rising proudly against the sky. These structures symbolize the enduring strength and rich heritage of Midwest agriculture. Nearby, an agrivoltaic solar panel farm shimmers in the sunlight, a testament to the harmonious blend of time-honored traditions with the innovative spirit of renewable energy and land use. This scene also celebrates the global connections between Iowa and Uganda, as an exemplar of CALS’ global engagement, embodying the collaborative efforts of the college to address agriculture, food, health, environment and societal challenges on a worldwide scale. In the foreground, rows of soybeans flourish, representing Iowa’s agricultural heart (along with corn that will emerge in rotation with the beans), with CALS at the forefront of research to enhance yields and sustainability. The diversity of Iowa’s fertile land shines through, supporting thriving gardens, people and communities that nourish both local and global food systems.

Mural on a wall in between doorways to two classrooms.

Rolling Hills and Prairie Systems

The mural’s second panel reveals the graceful contours of Iowa’s rolling hills, alive with agriculture, the rich biodiversity of native prairies, and the productive soils that form under them. Intricate root systems anchor this vibrant landscape, showcasing the resilience and complexity of these ecosystems. Pollinators flutter across the scene, vital to the health of our environment and symbolizing the delicate balance of nature. Hidden within the composition are compelling nods to the life sciences - from microbiology, to genetics, physiology and biochemistry - all whispering the secrets of nature and the soil, the underlying forces that drive agricultural innovation and capacity in Iowa. These elements call out the interconnectedness of all living things and highlight the crucial role of scientific discovery in sustaining and advancing the state’s agricultural legacy and our understanding of the natural world.

Part of a mural on a wall in between the doors to two classrooms.

Microscopic Marvels

The third panel delves into the microscopic and molecular world, revealing the intricate layers of life that are central to the college’s work. From fungi and bacteria, to yeast and viruses, and to the cations and anions pulsing through them, this scene illustrates the vital organisms, and references their biology that play crucial roles in agriculture and human health and are deployed in bioprocessing and more. These notions are a testament to the groundbreaking work and deep learning happening in CALS and with its partners in every sector.

Mural on a wall outside of a classroom.

Sustainable Futures

The fourth panel highlights the sustainable approaches embraced by CALS. Wind farms dot the landscape, symbolizing the commitment to renewable energy. The intricacies of river and watershed management are depicted, leading to an appreciation of the native river wildlife. This scene underscores the balance between human activity and natural ecosystems, showcasing CALS’ dedication to environmental stewardship.

Mural on a wall outside a classroom showing an agricultural landscape.

Harvest and Harmony

The fifth panel celebrates Iowa’s agricultural abundance with a handshake symbolizing the trust and partnerships that have long driven and will always be highly valued between the university, industry, agency and community. Beef and dairy cattle, pigs, chickens, turkeys and more underscore the essential role of animal agriculture in the state’s economy and the productive capacity of Iowa soils to grow the crops to feed them and to power energy production as well. The “Three Sisters” - corn, squash and beans - acknowledge the presence and wisdom of Native American agriculture and land use to support healthy and sustainable food systems. Barn quilts decorate silos and farm buildings to represent a bridge between tradition and the future as these structures evolve, and yet family, home and community life remain steadfast. The elements of aerial farming, GPS and AI guided, with precision and ever-advancing technology, soar over the panel images and perhaps see over the horizon to the future. Other images include subtle references to the life sciences that fuel innovation.

Mural on a wall showing an agricultural scene with a city scape in the background.

Urban and Genetic Connections

The sixth panel brings the viewer to the Des Moines skyline, bridging the rural and urban landscapes and highlighting the inter-dependency of people and communities all across the state. As representative of each of Iowa’s cities and the landscapes between them, places in both where industry and agency co-exist, modern-day and future Iowa will always be at the dynamic intersections of agriculture and life sciences, in all their forms and dimensions. This scene also highlights the importance of genetics and biotechnology, and by implication digital and precision science and technology, as well as economy and policy, government and industry. It reflects our evolving relationship with the world, emphasizing CALS’ role in improving global food security and land use, protecting the planet’s resources, and addressing complex life and social sciences.

SWARM

At the heart of Iowa State University’s Student Innovation Center lies the SWARM project, an evocative extension of the mural “Harvest of Knowledge: Innovation and Inspiration.” This initiative intricately weaves together art, technology and metaphor, drawing inspiration from the pioneering research of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS).

The term SWARM, which stands for “Synergistic Wisdom and Research Methodologies,” reflects the collective and dynamic nature of idea exchange. Just as a swarm of bees moves in harmonious patterns AND pollinates flowers while harvesting energy for its community and sustaining ecosystems, SWARM represents the coordinated movement of ideas and the synergistic effect of collaborative research and creativity.

Inspired by CALS’ groundbreaking research into ecosystems and the vital role of pollinators, the SWARM project uses the metaphor of bee pollination to illustrate how knowledge, like pollen, is shared and nurtured, and enables a vibrant environment. This narrative is shown in the suspended 3D-printed bee and pollen, which hang from an illuminated beehive—as a demonstration of Iowa State’s role as the nurturing home of transformative idea exchange.

The illuminated beehive represents the university’s dedication to fostering innovation and as a beacon of inspiration and collaboration. It highlights how Iowa State’s vibrant academic community supports and cultivates a thriving ecosystem of people where ideas flourish and evolve.

By blending cutting-edge technology with artistic expression, the SWARM project and the “Harvest of Knowledge: Innovation and Inspiration” mural invite us to embark on a collective journey of discovery. As we engage with our own evolving ecosystem, we celebrate the spirit of CALS’ work and honor the boundless potential of innovation nurtured by the illuminated heart of Iowa State.

Underside view of a bee and pollen mobile suspended beneath a honeycomb-shaped light.
3-D printed yellow bumble bee suspended on a wire.
3-D printed pollen polyp suspended on a wire, surrounded by 3-D printed bumble bees.