Lewis & Clark Art Exhibition Features Plant, Animal Discoveries

"Lewis and Clark on the Great Plains: The Natural History of the Expedition of Discovery," an art exhibition featuring the flora and fauna discovered by Lewis and Clark while on the Great Plains, is May 7-Aug. 29 in the Great Plains Art Collection in the Christlieb Gallery, 1155 Q St.

The exhibit is guest-curated by Paul A. Johnsgard, University of Nebraska-Lincoln Foundation Professor emeritus of biological sciences, and includes photographs by Jon Farrar, Bob Gress and Robert B. Kaul, as well as photographs, drawings and sculptures by Johnsgard. An opening reception is May 7 from 7-9 p.m. in the Christlieb Gallery, with a curator's talk at 7:30 p.m., followed by comments from the exhibit photographers.

Johnsgard has written more than 40 books, including "Lewis and Clark on the Great Plains," "The Nature of Nebraska: Ecology and Biodiversity," and "Crane Music: A Natural History of American Cranes." Gress is director of the Great Plains Nature Center in Wichita, Kan., and Kaul is also an emeritus professor at UNL. Farrar is senior editor for Nebraskaland magazine.

When Meriwether Lewis and William Clark set off up the Missouri River on May 14, 1804, with a crew of more than 40 men comprising the Corps of Discovery, they had no detailed knowledge of what lands or adventures might lay before them. When the group returned in late September 1806, they had made more discoveries of the landscapes, rivers, native cultures, zoology and botany of our continent than has any North American scientific expedition before or since.

This exhibition illustrates the nearly 150 plants and animals encountered and documented by Lewis and Clark within the boundaries of the Great Plains.

"Dr. Johnsgard has brought together a lifetime of experience in the aesthetic and natural history of the Plains and he does an amazing job of bringing the science and art together to reveal the sheer volume and beauty of what these explorers were seeing for the first time," said Reece Summers, curator of the Center for Great Plains Studies Great Plains Art Collection. "I'm excited that we're able to bring this artwork together in this way and I think others will be excited to see it. It's really amazing."

The Great Plains Art Collection hours are Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sundays from 1:30 to 5 p.m. The gallery is closed Mondays and holiday weekends. Tours for schools and other groups may be scheduled by calling the collection's curatorial assistant at (402) 472-6220.

CONTACT: Reece Summers, Curator, Great Plains Art Collection, (402) 472-0599