Remembering Borlaug
Join the World Food Prize on March 25 as we celebrate the 105th anniversary of our founder Dr. Norman E. Borlaug’s birth. The World Food Prize Hall of Laureates will be open to the public for a day of FREE activities for all ages from 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.
You can enjoy a children's storytime, tour the building with the Iowa artists exhibited in our Iowa Gallery who have studied and painted Dr. Borlaug, hear from the sculptor who created the Dr. Borlaug Statue in Statuary Hall in the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., explore our interactive educational exhibits about Dr. Borlaug, watch a riveting documentary about him, and view Howard G. Buffett's breathtaking international photography exhibit.
- 9:00 a.m. Docent Tour of the Hall of Laureates
- Join the World Food Prize Hall of Laureates docents for a guided tour of the Hall of Laureates building.
- 9:30 a.m. Children’s Storytime: “The Boy Who Changed The World”
- 10:00 a.m. Docent Tour of the Hall of Laureates
- Join the World Food Prize Hall of Laureates docents for a guided tour of the Hall of Laureates building.
- 11:30 a.m. Iowa Gallery Walk
- Join the World Food Prize docents and learn about artwork in the Iowa Gallery.
- Noon: Iowa Artist Gallery Talk Featuring:
- 12:00 p.m. - 12:10 p.m. | Rose Frantzen, Iowa Gallery Artist
- 12:10 p.m. - 12:20 p.m. | Michael Brangoccio, Iowa Gallery Artist
- 12:20 p.m. - 12:30 p.m. | Amb. Kenneth M. Quinn, President of the World Food Prize
- 12:30 p.m. Dr. Norman E. Borlaug Statue Artist Benjamin Victor Gallery Talk in the Iowa Gallery
- 1:00 p.m. Film Screening: “Freedom From Famine: The Norman Borlaug Story” in the Ruan Laureates Room
About the Featured Artists:
Benjamin Victor
“A gift from God” is how Benjamin Victor describes his ability to create spectacular works of art. Benjamin joined the ranks of Michelangelo, Bernini, and French by receiving his first large commission at only 23 years old. At age 26, he became the youngest artist ever to have a sculpture in our Nation’s foremost collection, the National Statuary Hall in the United States Capitol. Nine years later he became the only living artist to have two works in Statuary Hall. Art critics and organizations, including the National Sculpture Society in New York City, continue to recognize the aesthetic and conceptual integrity of Benjamin’s artwork. His passion and drive clearly show in each of his unique and profound creations. With expressive features, exquisite detail, and thought-provoking content, the work of Benjamin Victor is sure to take its place among the great masterpieces of art history.
Rose Frantzen
Rose Frantzen is a native of Maquoketa, Iowa. Frantzen studied at the American Academy of Art in Chicago, the Palette & Chisel Academy and at the Lyme Academy College of Fine Arts. Frantzen’s work has been featured in US Art, ArtTalk, Southwest Art, Workshop, International Artist, American Artist, and Portrait Signature, and she has demonstrated as a faculty member for the Portrait Society of America.
Michael Brangoccio
Mike Brangoccio always wanted to be an artist. He sold his first artwork to his 9th grade art teacher in 1968 and since then, never changed his mind. After graduating from High School in 1972 he went on to attain a BA and an MA from the University of Northern Colorado in 1980. Over the next 35 years, he has participated in over 100 exhibitions and has works of art placed in private and public collections worldwide. After living and working in Denver, Los Angeles and Chicago, Mike and his wife, Kim relocated to Iowa in 1990 where they had two children, Sarah and David. They love Iowa and plan on “retiring” here someday. Mike is currently living in Booneville and working as a Visual Communications designer for Musco Lighting and continues to paint and exhibit works of art.