Great Plains Art Museum to host 2 youth art exhibits

            The Great Plains Art Museum at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln will host two exhibitions by young artists from Lincoln Public Schools and Omaha Public Schools.

            Showing in the Christlieb Gallery is "Modern Traditions: Seeing with New Eyes," a collaborative project between the Kaneko in Omaha, Omaha Public Schools Native American Indian Education Department and the Hot Shops. In the South and West galleries, the Lincoln Public Schools Visual Arts Mentoring Program will exhibit work by student artists. The concurrent exhibitions will run April 6 to 22 with a public reception from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. April 13.

            "Modern Traditions: Seeing with New Eyes" was a program led by Omaha glass artist Therman Statom, who worked with 30 youth and young adults, ages 8 to 21, in Omaha Public Schools Native American Indian Education Department. The students looked at traditional and contemporary symbols and used them to create their own personal symbolism through the visual arts. The students learned basic techniques in drawing, painting, screen-printing, fabric art, and various methods of hot and cold glass work. The workshop culminated in a public exhibition at the Kaneko and now at the Great Plains Art Museum.

            "I was incredibly impressed by the artwork on view at the Kaneko, and thought what a wonderful marriage to bring this exhibition to Lincoln and show it in conjunction with the Visual Arts Mentoring Program artwork," said Amber Mohr, Great Plains Art Museum curator. "Not only is it an opportunity for young artists to see the work of their peers in a neighboring city, but both of these collaborative arts programs should be an inspiration to the local art community."

            Mohr said she hopes that the exhibitions will not just inspire the participating artists, but professional artists as well. "Every year with the LPS show I see several pieces and think 'That could be anywhere, and I wouldn't know it was an elementary student's work.' The students from Omaha also produced artwork that was deeply personal but translates to a wide audience. Basically they are all doing what every artist aspires to do, and some of them are starting in kindergarten."

            The Lincoln Public Schools Visual Arts Mentoring Program invites applications from elementary school children gifted in the visual arts. Selected students are partnered with an artist mentor who works with the student two hours per week. "This is the Visual Arts Mentoring Program's 14th year and our ninth year partnering with the Great Plains Art Museum for an exhibition venue," said Tina Spomer, program facilitator. "It is very powerful for the young artists to create and direct their own work knowing it will hang in the professional atmosphere of the Great Plains Art Museum."

            The Great Plains Art Museum, 1155 Q St., is open to the public 10 a.m. to 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, email gpac2@unl.edu, visit www.unl.edu/plains/gallery/gallery.shtml, or contact Mohr at 402-472-0599 or by email.