AMES, IA .- In partnership with Iowa State University and University Museums, Faces of Iowa State, a portrait series by Iowa artist Rose Frantzen, is on view now through October 14, 2018 at the Blanden Memorial Art Museum, Fort Dodge, Iowa.

A public reception for the Faces of Iowa State exhibition, and celebration of Iowa State University's unwavering ties to the Fort Dodge area, will be held Sept. 26, 2018, 5:00-7:00 PM at the Blanden Memorial Art Museum, 920 3rd Ave. South. Iowa State's University Museums will be bringing two motor-coaches of students, faculty, staff, administration, portrait sitters, alumni, and friends. The public is welcome to attend.

A highlight of the event is the anticipated attendance of Iowa State University President, Wendy Wintersteen. This will be the first public event after her installation as 16th President of Iowa State.

Faces of Iowa State celebrates the tradition and impact of portraiture at Iowa State University. This exhibition illuminates contemporary people who are change agents and contributors to Iowa State. Faces of Iowa State illustrates stories of a democratic education where the visions, dreams and actions of individuals play a vital role in the shaping of Iowa State's collective identity and culture.

Artist Rose Frantzen's art has been featured nationally, including an exhibit of her Portrait of Maquoketa project at the Smithsonian's National Portrait Gallery. The Faces of Iowa State exhibition subjects were chosen by Iowa State University's colleges and select units. Portrait sitters included students, faculty, staff, alumni and individuals with close ties to the university. The project now numbers 39 portraits and features Fort Dodge natives, George Burnet and Shirley Stakey.

Faces of Iowa State is organized by University Museums with major support from: College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, College of Business, College of Engineering, College of Human Sciences, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, ISU Extension and Outreach, University Library, Office of the Vice President for Research, and University Museums, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa.

Rose Frantzen was born, raised, and returned to Maquoketa, Iowa, and the rural lifestyle and landscape continue to provide inspiration for her paintings. She attended the American Academy of Art in Chicago, the Palette & Chisel Academy in Chicago, and the Lyme Academy College of Fine Arts in Old Lyme, Connecticut. After extensive traveling, she returned to Maquoketa, Iowa and purchased the old city hall with her parents, renovating the building and creating a large gallery with extensive studio space. Rose Frantzen's lifelike and radiant examination of humans and our world bring together a long tradition of oil painting and portraiture with the skill and forward thinking of a 21st century artist.