Sheldon presents 'Evolving Eden,' showcase exhibition in Lincoln PhotoFest

Sheldon Museum of Art at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln presents "Evolving Eden: Three Photographic Perspectives," an exhibition of works by artists Arno Minkkinen, Hans Eijkelboom and Edward Burtynsky. Through diverse viewpoints, these contemporary photographers explore our environment and the human effects on its changes.

The exhibition Feb. 6 with a keynote address by Minkkinen at 5:30 p.m. in the Sheldon's Ethel S. Abbott Auditorium and will be on view through May 31. "Evolving Eden" is the showcase exhibition in Lincoln PhotoFest, a communitywide celebration of photography at 20 galleries and museums across the city. Exhibitions on view in PhotoFest range from contemporary, cutting-edge works by local and national photographers to historical retrospectives. For a complete listing of participating PhotoFest venues and descriptions of their exhibitions, visit www.sheldon.unl.edu.

Admission to "Evolving Eden" and all PhotoFest exhibitions is free.

To launch PhotoFest, Sheldon will present a Photography Symposium focused on the works in "Evolving Eden" 9 a.m. to noon Feb. 7. Symposium participants will discuss the historical context of works in the exhibition and new directions in photography. The speakers are Keith Davis, curator of photography at Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art in Kansas City, Mo.; Sheryl Conkelton, director of exhibitions and public programs at Tyler School of Art, Temple University, Elkins Park, Pa.; and Minkkinen, artist and professor of art at the University of Massachusetts, Lowell.

Symposium registration is $15 per person at the door or $10 before the day of the event. Registration is free to Sheldon Art Association members and to college or high school students with identification. To register, call Laurie Sipple at (402) 472-2461 or send a check payable to the Sheldon Art Association to Photography Symposium, Sheldon Museum of Art, P.O. Box 80300, Lincoln, NE 68588-0300.

"Evolving Eden" is curated by Sharon Kennedy. The Aperture Foundation of New York City organized "Paris-New York-Shanghai, Photographs by Hans Eijkelboom."

In connection with "Evolving Eden," Sheldon is organizing a Photo Scavenger Hunt, an event to encourage Museum visitors to become involved with photography. For information, visit www.sheldon.unl.edu. Deadline for entry is Feb. 1.

Major support for "Evolving Eden: Three Photographic Perspectives" comes from UNL, Herb and Kathy Friedman and the Wake Charitable Fund. Additional support is provided by the Nebraska Arts Council and Sheldon Art Association. The Photography Symposium and PhotoFest are sponsored by Assurity Life Insurance Co.

Sheldon Museum of Art houses a permanent collection of more than 12,000 objects focusing on American art. The museum, 12th and R streets on the UNL City 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 also available on the Sheldon Web site, www.sheldon.unl.edu.