New exhibit: artwork by Nebraska scientific illustrator, painter Marcuson

            "Mark Marcuson: An Artist's Journey," a new exhibit in the University of Nebraska State Museum in Morrill Hall, presents the evolution of artistic talent of a Nebraska painter, illustrator and muralist.

            Beginning with Marcuson's childhood sketches, visitors will journey through Marcuson's life as an artist and his career as a scientific illustrator mastering watercolor, acrylic, oil, pencil, and pen and ink among others.

            The exhibit includes Marcuson's popular museum murals depicting prehistoric landscapes and extinct animals, an explanation of the stringent process illustrating specimens for scientific journals, and more recent fine art works, including still lifes, figurative paintings and fantasy art. Highlighting the exhibit is a series of illustrations developed for Ashfall Fossil Beds State Historical Park, a branch location of the NU State Museum. The series includes animal reconstructions illustrated by Marcuson to show the public how fossils discovered at the site may have appeared as living animals.

            "Mark Marcuson: An Artist's Journey" is in the Cooper Gallery on the third floor of Morrill Hall, south of 14th and Vine streets, and will be on display through February.

            To celebrate the recent exhibit opening, the museum will offer free admission during extended hours from 4:30 to 7 p.m. May 2 as part of May First Friday events.

            Established in 1871, the University of Nebraska State Museum is the state's premier museum of natural history. The museum focuses on promoting discovery in natural science, fostering scientific understanding and interpretation of the Earth's past, present and future and enhancing stewardship of the natural and cultural heritage of Nebraska through world class exhibits, collections and special events. For more information go to http://www.museum.unl.edu.

Writer: Mandy Haase