Sharing a Lifelong Love of Art

Dick and Joyce Summerwill seek out museums wherever they travel, but their first love always has been the University of Iowa Stanley Museum of Art. That love inspired the couple to make an early campaign commitment to help rebuild the museum, and the university is recognizing this generous gift by naming the building’s third-floor terrace in their honor.

“Dick and I have enjoyed all the museums we’ve visited throughout the world, but nothing pleases us more than coming back to the UI’s wonderful collections,” says Joyce. “At last, we will have a new physical home in which to experience art on our own or to gather with others, including artists and curators.”

The Summerwills have a long history of supporting the UI Stanley Museum of Art that traces back to Dick’s father, Bill, who helped launch the 1962 fundraising campaign for Iowa’s original art museum. Joyce worked closely with the museum’s first director, Ulfert Wilke, whom she credits as one of the most influential people in her life, and the pair established the Stanley’s docent program in 1969.

The couple’s commitment is founded on the belief that a university art museum—like a university library—is at the heart of any academic center or city in which it resides. “The UI Stanley Museum of Art has numerous collections that give us insights into the world and allow us to see other viewpoints and stories that enlarge our perspective,” says Joyce.

The longtime Iowa Citians support the arts throughout their community. In addition to serving on the UI Stanley Museum of Art Advisory Board, the Summerwills are also honorary co-chairs of the Strengthen. Grow. Evolve. fundraising campaign for the Englert Theatre and FilmScene.

“One work of art can reward viewers with a lasting memory, idea, or question and help us discover humanity in all its forms” says Joyce. “Long live the UI Stanley Museum of Art—and long live the arts!”

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