After living in Ames for several years, students may be looking for something new to do, especially free activities.

One option that many may not have considered is the Brunnier Art Museum, housed inside the Scheman Building at Iowa State Center.

Founded by Iowa State alumnus Henry J. Brunnier and his wife Ann, the museum celebrated its 30th anniversary last September.

Heidi Rosenwinkel, public relations and marketing intern at Brunnier and senior in apparel merchandising, said the museum is the only one in Iowa accredited by the American Association of Museums.

“I think a lot of students are put off by the fact that it’s called ‘art,'” Rosenwinkel said, “but it’s a huge collection. It’s reputable and well-organized.”

Amanda Hall, program assistant at Brunnier, said the museum specializes in objects that would have been found in peoples’ homes.

“We’re mostly a decorative arts museum, which means we collect a lot of glass, silver and deco items,” Hall said.

Although the museum houses a permanent collection of decorative art, Brunnier often plays host to temporary exhibits.

Some past shows at the museum have included works by glassmaker Dale Chihuly, sculptures by William King, including the running men located outside Parks Library and the Lied Recreation Athletic Center on campus, and an exhibit about the Loess Hills.

Hall said the museum was also able to procure nine illustrations Grant Wood produced for a Sinclair Lewis book.

She said the pictures had been scattered across the country, but they were brought together for the exhibit.

“It’s probably the one and only time they will be on display at once,” Hall said.

“It was very hard to do and very fun.”

The museum has also hosted other exhibits of sculptures and paintings, and shows from the past two years can be viewed on the museum’s Web site.

Once a show is brought to the museum, it can run for up to a year, but the usual exhibit lasts three to six months.

Although the museum often features special shows, it also has its own permanent collection. Hall said many of the decorative items came from the Brunniers’ own collections.

“We try to bring in shows that complement our permanent collection,” she said.

Since the museum owns more than 30,000 permanent items, it has outgrown its storage space. Museum officials are hoping to store extra items in Morrill Hall once it is renovated.

Housing items in Morrill Hall will also serve another purpose for the Brunnier – it will make collections more accessible to students and staff who might stop to look at items while crossing campus.

“We do have a location that’s a little bit out of everyone’s walking path,” Hall said.

“But I think when we have Morrill Hall on campus, that’ll help as well. They can stop in and get information.

“The biggest thing we’re trying to push now is every student can learn by coming here because of the way we teach, through visual learning. They can view things in life a little bit better.”

Hall also said she would encourage students to become members of the museum for $10 because it is a cheap way for students to be involved and receive information and newsletters by mail about Brunnier, such as upcoming shows and events.

Currently, the museum is featuring an ongoing series of events surrounding the popular book “The Da Vinci Code.”

There are programs and a case display about symbolism and iconography, including examples from ancient Egypt and Russian Christendom.

Rosenwinkel said it’s an opportunity for students to debate interesting points about the book.

Another upcoming event is the Brunnier Bash, a Mardi Gras formal masquerade and mask contest on February 25.

There will be a ball open to the public and students and music provided by Kentucky Fried Mullet.

Advance tickets will be on sale in various campus locations in the middle of February.

“We’re trying to connect students with the Brunnier a little more,” Rosenwinkel said.

“I really encourage students to come to the masquerade and bring or make a mask at the door.

“I think the word just needs to be spread that we’re here and we’re acceptable and we’re here for students,” Hall said.

“There’s a lot we have to offer that I don’t think people know about.”

Spring schedule of events for the Brunnier Art Museum

7 p.m. Thursday – Art Book Club: “The Lady and the Unicorn” by Tracy Chevalier

1 to 4 p.m. Sunday – I Love Art Family Day

2 p.m. Feb. 12 – Art Book Club: “The Da Vinci Code” by Dan Brown

2 p.m. Feb. 19 – “Chihuly: From the Fires of Creativity”

Noon Feb. 22 – Wednesday Walk: “The Art of Vet Med”

6:30 p.m. Feb. 23 – Documentary: “The Louvre,” 1978

7 to 11 p.m. Feb. 25 – Brunnier Bash: A Masquerade Ball

2 p.m. Feb. 26 – Amy Worthen printmaking demonstration

7 p.m. March 2 – Art Book Club: Discuss “As Above, So Below” by Rudy Rucker

2 to 4 p.m. March 5 – Ballroom Dance Workshop

7 p.m. March 9 – “Senses and the Museum Environment” ÿ

2 p.m. March 12 – “Fine Arts in the Permanent Collection”

2 p.m. March 19 – “First Person Singular,” a documentary about architect I.M. Pei.

6:30 p.m. March 23 – “Da Vinci Code Decoded”ÿ

2 p.m. March 26 – Gallery Walk

Noon, March 29 – Wednesday Walk: Fresh Art

2 p.m. April 2 – “Religion and Art in the Age of Da Vinci”

7 p.m. April 6 – Art Book Club: “In the Kingdom of Mists” by Jane Jakeman

1 to 4 p.m. April 9 – Brunnier Art Mystery

7 p.m. April 13 – “Contemporary Studio Glass Movement”ÿ

Noon, April 19 – Wednesday Walk: Women, Poetry and Art

7 p.m. April 20 – Collect It!: Postage Stamp Collecting

2 p.m. April 23 – English art essay awards and reading

2 p.m. April 30 – Collect It!: Documenting Your Personal Collections