Paper sculptors are artists-in-residence

Allen Eckman works on a paper sculpture while Patty Eckman talks with a visitor at the Great Plains Art Museum. The Eckmans are the 2011 Elizabeth Rubendall Artists-in-Residence at the museum.
Allen Eckman works on a paper sculpture while Patty Eckman talks with a visitor at the Great Plains Art Museum. The Eckmans are the 2011 Elizabeth Rubendall Artists-in-Residence at the museum.

Paper sculptors Allen and Patty Eckman are serving as the 2011 Elizabeth Rubendall Artists-in-Residence, through May 1, at the Great Plains Art Museum.

During the residency, each artist is creating an original sculpture, which will become part of the museum’s permanent collection. Allen Eckman plans to create a dancer from a Great Plains tribe, while Patty Eckman will create a sculpture of Great Plains wildlife.

Visitors can watch and interact with the Eckmans as they work. There are also hands-on stations for visitors to experiment with their innovative cast paper media and tools.

Allen Eckman is widely recognized as “the world’s premier cast paper sculptor.” Born in South Gate, Calif., he had his formal education completed at the Art Center College of Design in Los Angeles with a BFA in advertising and illustration in 1974.

Patty Tenneboe-Eckman is widely recognized as “wildlife’s premier cast paper sculptor.” Born in Brookings, S.D., she had her formal education completed at the Art Center College of Design in Los Angeles with a major in illustration in 1974. Patty has a great interest in wildlife; birds and flowers in particular.

“We are ecstatic that Allen and Patty Eckman are our Artists-in-Residence,” said Amber Mohr, curator of the museum. “Their method of cast paper sculpture is completely unique, and their finished pieces are shockingly realistic and lifelike.”

This is the fifth year the Artist-In-Residence program has been supported by the Elizabeth Rubendall Foundation Artist-in-Residence Program Fund.

A solo exhibition of Allen Eckman’s and Patty Eckman’s artwork is on display at the Great Plains Art Museum. “Paper Plains: The Cast Paper Sculpture of Allen and Patty Eckman” runs to May 29. A First Friday reception is 5-7 p.m., May 6.

The Eckmans are sculpting from 10 a.m. to noon and 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays during the residency, and 1:30-5 p.m. on Sunday May 1. The museum will be closed April 24.

More details at: http://go.unl.edu/yjb