HomeMy WebLinkAboutIC Public Arts Meandering River LOS CLASCollege of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Office of the Dean
University of Iowa
240 Schaeffer Hall
Iowa City, Iowa 52242-1409
Phone: 319-335-2625 | Fax: 319-335-3755
Email: clas@uiowa.edu | Web: clas.uiowa.edu
14 March, 2025
City of Iowa City
Public Arts Matching Grant Program
Dear Iowa City Friends,
I am happy to provide this letter of support for the project Meandering River, a fascinating
interdisciplinary collaboration led by a core group of six faculty members, five of whom are part of
the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences: Professors Stephanie Miracle, Jenna Supp-Montgomerie,
Heather Parrish, Liz McTernan, Eric Gidal, David Cwiertny, and Larry Weber. The group is planning
two public performances along the Iowa River on the University of Iowa (UI) campus, the first on
May 18, 2025 and the second in sometime in September 2025 (exact date to be determined).
The public presentation of this project will begin on the west side of the Iowa River at the Lagoon
Shelter House and continue along the river in the form of a dance performance and multi-media
walking tour. The event, and the use of each of the confirmed locations on the route, have been
cleared by all of the designated authorities involved, including: myself as Associate Dean for
Research and Infrastructure in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences; Pete Matthes, Vice
President for External Relations and Senior Advisor to the President at UI; Aaron Greenwald,
Programming & Engagement Director of Hancher Auditorium at UI (adjacent to the outdoor
performance site); and the staff of UI’s Recreation Services.
Meandering River is a year-long interdisciplinary collaboration that aims to create a site-specific
multi-media performance illuminating the intricate ecological networks between people, non-
humans, water, and infrastructure in Iowa City. Central to the project is the body as a source of
knowledge and connection. Through dance, music, visual art, and conversation, Meandering River
will raise awareness of the river and the dynamic flows of energy it participates in by offering a
multifaceted view of "place" that encompasses local land and water, architecture and intangible
elements such as water quality, history, politics, and energy. We are very excited for the upcoming
first performance and very much hope that with additional support we can host an additional event
in September. This is a wonderful collaboration between Iowa City, the UI, the College of Liberal
Arts and Sciences, the College of Engineering, and Hancher Auditorium that exemplifies the special
interdisciplinary spirit of our institution and our hometown.
If I can provide any further information, please don’t hesitate to contact me.
Warm Regards,
Joshua A. Weiner, Ph.D.
Associate Dean for Research and Infrastructure
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Professor, Departments of Biology and Psychiatry
Associate Director, Iowa Neuroscience Institute
The University of Iowa
(319) 335-0091
joshua-weiner@uiowa.edu