Asian musical instruments focus of Lentz Center's summer exhibition

"Sight and Sound: Asian Musical Instruments from the Collection of Donald and Velma Lentz," the summer exhibition of the Lentz Center for Asian Culture at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, opens July 6 and runs through Sept. 9.

The purpose of the exhibition, in addition to honoring the Lentzes, is to show some of the breadth and variety of Asian instrumentation, said Barbara Banks, director/curator of the Lentz Center. The exhibit will include stringed instruments, idiophones, drums, woodwinds and horns. A video will accompany the show.

"To conclude our 20th anniversary year we are putting all the musical instruments on exhibition," Banks said. "They have not previously been shown as a group."

Banks said many of the labels will reflect Donald Lentz's original notes on the individual instruments, including instruments from Laos, Myanmar (Burma), Sumatro, Bali, India, China and Japan. A Japanese koto from the estate of Alice Abel will round out the group.

The exhibit is free and open to the public. An opening reception will be from 5-8 p.m. July 6.

The Lentz Center recognizes the rich and varied cultures of the many diverse peoples of Asia. It is the only institution in Nebraska devoted solely to Asian art and its unique collection provides a singular opportunity for enhancing instructional programs on the campus as well as enriching the cultural environment of the citizens of Nebraska.

The center is on the lower level of the Hewit Place Building, 1155 Q St., across from the Lied Center for Performing Arts. It is open to the public free of charge 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays and 1:30 to 4 p.m. Sundays. It is closed Mondays. For more information, visit www.unl.edu/lentz.

CONTACT: Barbara Banks, Director/Curator, Lentz Center for Asian Culture, (402) 472-5849