November 08, 2012

Museum exhibits highlight several offerings

by Jordan Wren

CARBONDALE, Ill. As the weather turns colder, the latter half of the fall exhibit schedule at Southern Illinois University Carbondale's University Museum offer several great opportunities for patrons.

A feature exhibit is "Salvador Dali's Playing Cards Suite," showcasing works in the museum's permanent collection from the flamboyant Spanish surrealist artist. The exhibit runs through March 29. Dali created the series of playing cards in 1971. The museum owns eight large lithographs of the Ace, King, Queen and Jack in diamonds and spades.

Another exhibit coming at the end of fall is the "Master of Fine Arts Candidates' Preview."

The exhibit opens Friday, Nov. 9, and runs through Dec. 8. Each year, MFA candidates prepare a preview of their upcoming thesis exhibits. The exhibit gives them the opportunity to plan how to display their work.

"The Photography Project: A University Museum/Southern Illinois Partnership Exhibit" continues through Dec. 8. This exhibit features photographs taken by students from Cobden, Elverado, Eldorado, Zeigler-Royalton high schools, as well as Shawnee Community College students.

A reception for all three exhibits is set for 4-7 p.m., Friday, Nov. 9. Reception visitors will be able to meet some of the artists and exhibit curators.

The museum also offers a continuing exhibit "Political Cartoons from the Jerome M. Mileur Collection," open since Sep. 28 and running through Dec. 8. The exhibit is part of alumnus Jerome Mileur's gift of his Presidential Memorabilia Collection to the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute and University Museum. Mileur continues to collect presidential memorabilia, and continues to improve the University's holdings.

Visit http://www.museum.siu.edu/

for a full schedule of University Museum exhibits.