River of Milk

Artist / Maker Michaela Mahady (American, 1951 - 2020)

Date2007

MediumGraphite on paper

Dimensions62 x 37 in. (157.5 x 94 cm) Framed: 43.5 x 67.5 cm (17 1/8 x 26 9/16 in.)

ClassificationsArt on Campus Preparatory Studies and Maquettes

Credit LineGift of Michaela Mahady and John Pietras of Pegasus Studio. In the Art on Campus Preparatory Studies and Maquette Collection, Christian Petersen Art Museum, University Museums, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa.

Object numberU2009.3

Status

Not on view

Collections

CultureAmerican

Label TextFrom the University Museums Collections Handbook, vol. 2, 2025: Artist Michaela Mahady created numerous preparatory materials for the fabrication of the etched glass River of Milk, located at Iowa State University’s Dairy Farm. The true-to-scale shaded drawings allowed Mahady (depicted at left) to show the depth of etching and mimic the translucency of the windowpanes of work of art’s final installation space. Windows divide the visitor’s center and the milking parlor, allowing both spaces to see each other and to facilitate education on the dairy farm process. Six dairy breeds are depicted in the final glass mural, and the traditions of the dairy industry are shown as well, leading this work of art to be used in public education, similar to Christian Petersen’s 1930s History of Dairying installation at the Dairy Science Complex.

Locations