Artwork commissioned to commemorate the 140th anniversary of the founding of Iowa State University will be displayed in Parks Library.

“Unlimited Possibilities,” the mural designed by artist Doug Sheldon and on display in the Brunnier Museum, will be moved to Parks Library in March of 1998. The rotunda area outside the Periodical Room has been chosen as the new location for the piece which measures 17 by 25 feet.

“Unlimited Possibilities” follows the same traditions inspired by artist Grant Wood whose work from the 1930s is on display in the library.

“They were commissioned by Iowa State, but they were designed by Grant Wood,” said Lynette Pohlman, director of University Museums.

The works were painted by University of Iowa students in their studio and then shipped here and installed, she said.

“Unlimited Possibilities” was created in a similar fashion, except students from Iowa State were directly involved in the creation of the mural. The mural was painted in the museum and completed last week.

“The project was administered by the University Museums,” Pohlman said. “We then formed a campus committee and the committee selected artist Doug Sheldon. Doug then was commissioned to come to campus, and he interviewed staff, faculty and students and came up with the fundamental design of the mural.”

Sheldon’s original submission was only 18 by 24 inches and evolved into a large mural that is pieced in three sections. The sections will allow for the mural to travel easily during tours.

“It’s a huge mural, and it’s hard to find appropriate display sites. We hope to have it displayed in eastern central and western Iowa in the course of the next year. We think this is a mural about Iowa and Iowa State, and so we want to share it with the citizens of Iowa,” Pohlman said.

Though based on an idea from the works of Grant Wood, “Unlimited Possibilities” is the first artwork the university has commissioned that involves both an outside artist and ISU students.

“The mural we’ve just completed is the first time that I know that we’ve done anything like this on campus where we’ve had a world-class artist design it, and then help paint it along with Iowa State University students,” Pohlman said.

“The students and the artist worked together really well and developed new ideas and thoughts. It was very interesting to have a work in progress where the public would come along and respond and that actually led to the inclusion of details into the mural itself,” she said.

“Unlimited Possibilities” will be on display in the Brunnier Museum until December 10.