Exhibitions
The Center collects Midwest Art, American Decorative Arts, International Folk Art, including a significant collection of Mexican Folk Art and the worlds' largest public collection of Haitian Art. Selections from our collections are always on display. We also feature changing exhibits in five separate galleries throughout the building.
Galleries
Upcoming Exhibitions
Grief is the Price of Love
On View May 12-November 22, 2026
Ceramist Amythest Warrington explores the beauty and pain of loss through art. Her meticulously crafted and beautiful objects draw you into serious and often taboo subjects, both comforting those who need it and challenging those that are comfortable. Warrington has a B.F.A. from the University of Northern Iowa and an M.F.A. in ceramics with a minor in textiles, merchandising and fashion design from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
American Abstract Artist
Paul Bland
May 19-November 22
Waterloo artist Paul Bland’s expressive abstract acrylic paintings pulsate with color and gestural marks in compositions that manage to be both well-balanced and delightfully animated. The author of My Waterloo Stories, Mr. Bland holds an undergraduate degree in English and a master’s degree in Secondary Education from the City College of New York. He is most influenced by the mid-century art he saw in the art galleries of Madison Avenue and in New York City museums when he first began studying art.
Evanescence: Art from the UNI Permanent Art Collection
On View May 12-November 22, 2026
To accompany Amythest Warrington’s powerful work is an exhibition about transition and loss featuring Darryl Curran’s scanogram portfolio All About Doris, Jason Corbett Fogues’ Untitled (Tim Fogue in the Lamar Valley), an Owens Pottery Studio face jug, and selections for the late Denis Roussel’s Nature Morte series. On loan from the University of Northern Iowa’s permanent Art Collection.
Illustrated Exhibition of the 1619 Project
On View April 28-August 16, 2026
Organized by Nicole Hannah-Jones and WCA Executive Director Chawne Paige, this exhibition is about resistance and freedom and features original artwork by BMike, Dr. D’Wayne Edwards, Jamea Richmond-Edwards, Jon Key, Byrant Lamont, Johnny Nelson, Charly Palmer, Fahamu Pecou, Vitus Shell and Carrie Mae Weems. The exhibition is supplemented by the work of local and regional artists, artisans, and designers.