WATKINS GRAND FOYER
Enjoy One of Our Exhibitions While You Shop or Register for a class in the Watkins Grand Foyer
The Frank E. Watkins Grand Foyer Gallery is near the main entrance to our building by the main desk and World’s Window Gift Store. It features ongoing changing exhibitions, in addition to exhibitions that are planned to interpret and expand upon the permanent collection and focus on Midwest Art, American Crafts, and Haitian and Caribbean Art.
NOW DISPLAYING
JIM KERNS
On view through April 6, 2025
Jim Kerns states, “This body of work attempts to help build awareness about some of the social injustices we currently experience in this nation. For example, the criminalization of mental illness. Or the criminalization of the homeless, extreme prison sentences associated with some illegal substances, the lack of funding for public schools, the lack of support for arts curriculums, and more. Putting social commentary to visual pieces helps me in a cathartic manner. I hope you can see the relevance in the work.”
Jim Kerns completed his Ceramics, Physics, and Teaching degrees at the University of Northern Iowa in 1971 with a follow-up post-graduate degree in ceramics in 1972. He went on to work at Waterloo’s John Deere Tractor Works for 41 years. 1987-1992, he taught ceramics at UNI. In addition, he is a founding member of both the Friends of the UNI Permanent Art Collection & Gallery and the UNI Public Art Incubator Advocacy Council, as well as Chair of the City of Cedar Falls Art & Culture Board.