“Meandering Kit,” by Liz McTernan and Heather Parrish, 2025. This interactive takeaway piece for audience members accompanied performances of “Meandering River.” Special Collections and Archives.
“Meandering River” was an interdisciplinary project that utilized the Jay N. “Ding” Darling Papers. The 2025 initiative involved seven faculty members across six different departments and colleges at the University of Iowa: Stephanie Miracle, Department of Dance; Jenna Supp-Montgomerie, Department of Religious Studies and Communication Studies; Elizabeth McTernan, School of Art, Art History, and Design; David Cwiertny, Department of Chemistry and the College of Engineering; Eric Gidal, Department of English; Heather Parrish, School of Art, Art History, and Design; and Larry Weber, College of Engineering. The project aimed to explore perceptions of the Iowa River through research, writing, and dance
Meandering River culminated in multiple outdoor performances that brought audiences to the banks of the Iowa River. Faculty members involved in the project led attendees through an immersive guided walking tour during which they learned more about the complex history of the river and its impact on past and present Iowa City. The experience featured dance and sound.
The “Meandering River Kit,” given to attendees during the experience, includes images from various University of Iowa Libraries collections.
From the “Meandering Kit,” by Liz McTernan and Heather Parrish, 2025. Special Collections and Archives.