Artists of an Era delves into the rich heritage and historical significance of art from the 1930s and 1940s, providing a comprehensive exploration of Iowa State campus visual culture and art produced under the federal Public Works of Art Project (PWAP) and Works Progress Administration (WPA), administered through the Treasury Department. During this transformative era, the U.S. government employed thousands of artists for public projects, creating a new model for the artist’s role in society and fostering unprecedented aesthetic innovation made possible by the program’s financial support. Led by President Raymond Hughes, Iowa State took advantage of these programs that brought Grant Wood, Christian Petersen, among other artists to Iowa State to create murals across campus. Furthermore, this exhibition reexamines the contributions of women in the arts at Iowa State, offering valuable insights into their artistic practice and enduring legacy. Figures like Zenobia Brumbaugh Ness emerge as pivotal influences in the development of the Iowa State art patronage and arts curriculum. Through this multifaceted exploration, the exhibition seeks to illuminate not only the historical context but also the lasting imprint of these artistic endeavors.