Sheldon's 'Sculptors on Paper' exhibit to open April 13

The Sheldon Memorial Art Gallery at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln will present more than 30 works on paper by American sculptors in a new exhibition opening April 13. "Sculptors on Paper," drawn from the museum's permanent collections, examines the ways artists have used two-dimensional media in tandem with sculpture.

Sheldon Director Janice Driesbach, who curated this exhibition, noted that sculptors have historically used works on paper for many functions -- as informal, preparatory studies, to document completed sculptures, for commission proposals and as portable images to be disseminated to wider audiences.

On view through July 1, this exhibition invites visitors to examine how artists who have created many of the outstanding sculptures in the Sheldon's collections, including some displayed outdoors on the UNL campus, have approached different media. In some cases, there are relationships between the works in two dimensions and in the round; in other instances, the approaches differ dramatically.

Artists represented in the exhibition include: Gaston Lachaise, William Zorach, Leonard Baskin, David Smith, Robert Arneson, Judith Shea and Mark di Suvero. A free gallery guide, which examines works by four of the artists, and a brochure guide to sculptures on campus will be available to enhance the exhibition experience for visitors.

On Tuesday evenings in June, Sheldon docents will conduct tours of the exhibition and selected pieces in the outdoor Sculpture Garden before each Jazz in June concert. Tours will begin at 6 p.m. Visitors are invited to join one of these groups originating in Sheldon's Great Hall.

Admission to the exhibition and the Sheldon is free. "Sculptors on Paper" is made possible by a generous donation by Ann K. Rawley through the Nebraska Art Association, the dedicated nonprofit support group of the Sheldon.

Sheldon houses a permanent collection of more than 12,000 objects focusing on American art. The museum, 12th and R streets on the UNL campus, is open to the public Tuesday through Sunday. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday, and noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday. For information or to arrange a tour, call (402) 472-2461. Additional information is available on the Sheldon Web site, www.sheldon.unl.edu.

CONTACT: Tom White, Public Relations Manager, Sheldon Art Gallery, (402) 472-1197