Silver may be the most recognizable symbol of a quarter-century anniversary, but for the College of Design, displaying the work of former faculty members is an even greater monument to the institution’s history.

The ISU College of Design is hosting “Silver Returns,” a celebration of its 25-year history, which includes displayed artwork from 25 retired faculty members.

Some of the faculty still live in Ames, while others will be traveling from across the country for the festivities. The artwork will be on display from October 8—24 in Gallery 181 in the College of Design building.

“We have invited … all of our retired faculty to speak at the Silver Reflections,” says Heather Sauer, communications specialist for the College of Design.

Sauer says there will also be open microphones and an informal session where retired faculty can talk about their experiences at Iowa State.

William Boon, a retired College of Design faculty member who has two pieces on display, plans to attend the events. He specialized in landscape architecture and also taught creativity classes during the 25 years he taught at Iowa State.

Boon is displaying a pergola — a 10-foot support for vines, intended to be a spatial divider. He is also showing a composite photograph, with one large picture in the center and smaller pictures surrounding it, created to show the process of design and the selection of materials that bring them together as a final project.

Other types of art on display include paintings, sculptures, models, fiber art and drawings, Sauer says. Many of the pieces have come from the private collections of people who purchased the art over the years.

Students and members of the community will be able to talk to Boon and other retired faculty not only about their art on display, but also about their experiences teaching at Iowa State.

“I always enjoyed teaching at ISU,” Boon says. “The students are the biggest joy. Whether I [taught] classes in the woods to study plant material, or in the classroom, it was all enjoyable. [I] taught with joy, and I think most received it in that way.”

Boon says while he enjoys retirement, he stays busy with projects, including introducing art into the prison systems and serving youth at risk through art classes.

“The shortest connection to the soul is through art,” Boon says. “It can change attitudes. That’s where it all begins. You start to believe in yourself.”

Sauer says she hopes this event will give students more appreciation for design at Iowa State.

“The reason we scheduled the exhibition and this whole opportunity was to allow the students and faculty to hear about the whole history of the college,” Sauer says.

She also hopes this event will highlight some of the changes taking place in the college, as well as help them see the direction the college is taking in the future.

“We sent out invitations to all retired university faculty that live in Ames… We’re definitely encouraging community participation,” Sauer says.

“It’s supposed to be a celebration and a time to celebrate community and history.”