It’s never been done in the College of Art and Design.

Until now.

The college’s first-ever alumni exhibition began Tuesday in Gallery 181.

The exhibition features about 70 pieces ranging from small-finger rings to large, forged, iron pieces that were created by 27 Iowa State alumni.

Chuck Evans, curator for the museum, says a friend gave him the idea for the exhibition that he has been working on for the past year and a half.

He started the project with a search for potential artists to feature in the exhibit.

“I went through old class lists to sort of jog my memory,” he says, “and I knew quite a few of these people that were working professionally.”

The final list includes works by former students from as far away as Santa Fe, N.M. and as close as Gilbert. Evans says he played no part in choosing which pieces will be on display.

“I left that totally up to [the former students],” he says, “I didn’t jury that at all. It’s totally their decision what to enter.”

Among the pieces of jewelry and metal will be a few creations by 86-year-old ISU student Irma Winslow.

“She’s also the oldest student at ISU,” Evans says “She’s proud of that.”

Evans, who has been an art and design professor at ISU for the past 21 years, says he still keeps in contact with many former students and is anxious to see them when they return for the exhibition’s opening reception.

“I think from my viewpoint, it will be very exciting to see the work they’ve continued to do,” Evans says. “[And] just seeing the contrast of the new work compared to their work as students.”

Evans has been the lone organizer of this project, strapping the list of exhibitors together for almost a year and a half.

He says it’s been “quite gratifying” to see the project come together after all of this time.

C. Arthur Croyle, director of Gallery 181 and associate professor of art and design, says Evans’ work is impressive.

“It’s one thing to get a few alumni to exhibit,” Croyle says. “But when you get over a couple dozen, it takes a tremendous amount of follow through and negotiating.”

Croyle says Evans’ passion for the project is what has brought the project together.

The amount of running around and organizing is a huge piece of this artistic puzzle that the public will never see.

“[The work put into this exhibit] is just crazy,” Croyle says. “And he’s done that. So it’s quite a labor of love.”

This labor of love has spread beyond the organizer of this project.

The interest in jewelry and metalsmithing has increased, and the enrollment in all of Evans’ classes is at capacity.

Evans says he hopes to see students from not only the College of Art and Design at the exhibition, but also students from throughout the university and community residents.