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Keith Haring's brightly colored mural, painted in just one day, became the culmination of a unique and enduring collaboration with the students of Ernest Horn Elementary School in Iowa City. This mural, now publicly exhibited, is a testament to Haring's enduring impact on the school community and his engagement with the students.
The seeds of this mural were sown in 1984, during Haring's first visit to the school as part of a residency with the University of Iowa, initiated by Horn art teacher Colleen Ernst through a pen-pal exchange. This correspondence continued over the years, even as Haring's career took off. A memorable letter from the students included a VHS tape of them singing "Happy Birthday," which Haring cherished. It was during his return visit on May 22, 1989, that Haring gifted the school with the mural. Created with the students' input, the mural featured imaginative transformations, such as an orange triangle becoming a duck's bill and a red circle as a clown's nose. Haring inscribed, “A book full of fun for my friends at Horn School!!” at its base.
A few months after creating the mural, Haring shared his AIDS diagnosis publicly, having kept it private during his visit. Noticing signs of illness, Ernst learned of his condition when Haring revealed his struggle with Kaposi’s sarcoma. In response to his openness, Horn Elementary organized an AIDS education event. Haring wrote to the school, expressing his pride: “Education is the key to stopping this thing!”
Despite being among Haring's lesser-known works due to its location in Iowa, "A Book Full of Fun" is now featured at the University of Iowa Stanley Museum of Art from May 4th, coinciding with what would have been Haring’s 66th birthday, through January 7, 2025. This exhibition, "To My Friends at Horn: Keith Haring and Iowa City," provides context through works from the Keith Haring Foundation, archival materials, and the story of the mural's intricate conservation. Initially seemingly simple to remove, the mural’s panels were tightly affixed to the wall, necessitating their extraction as one unit due to asbestos concerns, supported by an acrylic frame and relocated with care.
The mural, largely preserved thanks to its windowless environment, required minimal restoration. Its new exhibition highlights Haring’s community engagement and activism, notably through works like "Ignorance = Fear, Silence = Death" which addresses the AIDS crisis. Haring’s commitment to youth interaction is captured through photographs and oral histories in the exhibition. The mural will return to the school in 2025 with improved protective measures.
Exhibition curator Diana Tuite highlights former students’ memories of Haring’s warmth and respect for their artistic voices, while Principal Paul E. Davis and Colleen Ernst, the initiator of the mural project, recall his dedication to embracing creativity and dialogue. Upon its return, the mural will inspire students again, highlighting the importance of stewardship and the lasting influence of Haring's all-too-brief career.
