'Czech Memories' photo exhibit opens March 5 at Great Plains Art Museum
Released on 02/08/2010, at 2:00 AM
Office of University Communications
University of Nebraska–Lincoln
WHEN: Friday, Mar. 5, 2010, through Apr. 18, 2010
WHERE: Great Plains Art Museum, 1155 Q Street, Hewit Place
The Great Plains Art Museum at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln will present an exhibition of black and white photographs by Jean Lewis titled "Czech Memories: Ethnicity and History Preserved in the Built Environment."
The exhibit runs March 5 through April 18 and features scenes from Wilber and other immigrant communities throughout Nebraska. It coincides with "Czech and Slovak Americans: International Perspectives from the Great Plains," the 36th Interdisciplinary Symposium sponsored by the Center for Great Plains Studies at UNL.
Lewis has been photographing Nebraska for more than 20 years and says she is often compelled by history and ethnic connections. Lewis notes that this exhibition brings together two of her more recent obsessions, "the ethnic past and present of Nebraska (and) rural cemeteries." Stylized architectural elements in gravestones, cemetery gates and storefront shops enforce the strong connection to European roots that residents of these Great Plains communities share. With each photograph, the artist will include her personal notes as well as a history or significance of the place depicted.
The Great Plains Art Museum, 1155 Q St., Hewit Place [map] is open to the public 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and 1:30-5 p.m. Sundays (closed Mondays, holiday weekends and between exhibitions). There is no admission charge. For more information, telephone (402) 472-6220, e-mail gpac2@unl.edu, visit www.unl.edu/plains/gallery/gallery.shtml or contact museum curator Amber Mohr at (402) 472-0599 or by e-mail. For information on the Czech and Slovak Americans: International Perspectives from the Great Plains Symposium visit the Center for Great Plains Studies Web site, www.unl.edu/plains.