The Sheldon Museum of Art at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln will be closed to the public Dec. 21 through Jan. 4 during the initial phase of a construction project to improve the safety of the staircase railings in the Great Hall.

The project is not expected to be completed until mid-to-late January, but much of the dirty, noisy work will be done during the winter holiday break between semesters at UNL. The project will replace the existing handrails with a new handrail system that will meet the International Building Code and maintain the architectural integrity of the Philip Johnson-designed building. The changes will assure a safer museum for visitors of all ages.

Sheldon will not present its monthly First Friday reception in January and a few other events may be adapted to accommodate conditions in the Great Hall.

Sheldon Museum of Art, 12th and R streets on the UNL City Campus, is open to the public Tuesday through Sunday. Its normal hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Wednesday through Saturday, and noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday. For information or to arrange a tour, call (402) 472-2461. For more information about museum events, visit www.sheldon.unl.edu.