June 05, 2006

University Museum plans variety of exhibits

by Sun Min

CARBONDALE, Ill. -- Collections of family treasures, artwork by Southern Illinois children and metal sculptures are just a few of the pieces that will be on display at Southern Illinois University Carbondale's University Museum this summer and fall.

Dona Bachman, director of the University Museum, said the exhibits scheduled for the next few months are spectacular.

Bachman is especially proud of the "Art Fusion" exhibit, which showcases artwork by students from the following Southern Illinois communities: Anna, Elverado, Goreville, and Ziegler and Royalton. The show will run from July 5 through Aug. 8. Bob DeHoet, museum educator and curator of the exhibit, visited the local schools and worked with children and their art teachers to create the arrangement.

"We commit many hours of our staff to working with the elementary and secondary school communities," Bachman said. "The University Museum is a public institution within a public institution. Our constituency isn't just the University but also the greater Southern Illinois community."

Following in that tradition, the museum also presents the "Community Collects II: Family Treasures," July 10 through Sept. 22. The presentation curators are members of the Museum Patrons group. This is the second run for the exhibit.

"We had a wonderful response when we did the ‘Community Collects' exhibit two years ago," said Bachman. "There is an interest in talking about antiques and objects passed down in families, so we focused on family treasures. We really wanted objects that had particular significance for people. This is as much about stories as it is about objects."

Another highlight includes a visit by world-renowned metal sculptor Ira Sherman. He will meet with art students and give a public lecture in October. Sherman's works will be on display at the University Museum from Oct. 6-28.

A complete listing of exhibits and artist receptions scheduled for the summer and fall follows:

  • Czech glass cutting slide lecture, 7 to 9 p.m. June 12, University Museum Auditorium: Frantisek Janak.
  • June 12-13, South Two Gallery: "5,199 Miles Journey: Korean art Glass," Nate Steinbrink and Jiyong Lee, curators. A showing of master glass artists from Korea. Reception 6 to 8 p.m. June 13.
  • Glass kiln-casting slide lecture, 7 to 9 p.m. June 13, University Museum Auditorium: Mel George.
  • Glass blowing slide lecture, 7 to 9 p.m. June 14, University Museum Auditorium: David Levia,
  • June 12-25, South Two Gallery: Luca Cruzat, MFA Thesis Show. Reception 4 to 7 p.m. June 23.
  • June 12-25, South One Gallery: Andrew Maglathlin, MFA Thesis Show. Reception 4 to 7 p.m. June 24.
  • June 12-Oct. 8, International Gallery: "Animal Symbolism in Asian Art," Bobbie and Lori Huffman, curators. The works range from a large ceramic dragon to a Ming vase.
  • July 1-March 30, 2007, Hall of Art: "The Human Form: Abstract Nudes in the Art of the Twentieth Century," Rebecca Weinstock, curator.
  • July 5-Aug. 8, Mitchell Gallery: "Art Fusion," Bob DeHoet, curator. Artwork by Southern Illinois schoolchildren. Reception 1 to 3 p.m. July 30.
  • July 10-Sept. 22, South One Gallery: "Community Collects II: Family Treasures," Museum Patrons Group, curator.
  • Aug. 21-Dec. 8, South Two Gallery: "Southern Illinois University in Photographs: From G.I. Joes to Generation X," Chris Walls, curator.
  • Aug. 22-Dec. 8, Southern Illinois Gallery: "The Early History of the Illinois Indians," Dan Heckenberger, curator.
  • Aug. 25-Sept. 15, Mitchell Gallery: Jainie Pelissier, MFA Thesis Show. Reception 4 to 7 p.m. Aug. 25.
  • Sept. 29-Oct. 31, South One Gallery: "Looking at Southern Illinois, 10th CCA Biennial," Nate Steinbrink, curator. This is an invitational exhibit sponsored by Carbondale Community Arts.
  • Oct. 1-31, Atrium Gallery: Southern Illinois Metal Society, a student art group, will present works.
  • Oct. 6-28, Mitchell Gallery: "Ira Sherman: Impenetrable Devices." The University Museum is working with the Southern Illinois Metal Students to bring sculptor Ira Sherman to campus. His works will be on display as well. The project is sponsored, in part, by the Student Fine Arts Activities Fee.
  • Nov.1-Jan. 31, 2007, International Gallery: "Native American Everyday Objects," Lori Huffman, curator.
  • Nov. 6-Dec. 8, Mitchell Gallery: Combined Faculty Art Show. This annual event features artworks by faculty from the SIUC School of Art & Design, Department of Cinema and Photography, Department of Theater and School of Architecture. Reception 4 to 7 p.m. Dec. 1.
  • Nov. 6-Dec. 3, South One Gallery: MFA Preview Show. This annual event features works by candidates for master of fine arts degrees. Reception 4 to 7 p.m. Dec. 1.
  • Dec. 5-16, South One Gallery: Bill Price, MFA Thesis Show.
  • Museum galleries are closed Jul. 4, Aug 6-20, Sept. 4, Nov. 18–26 and Dec. 17–Jan. 15, 2007.

Leading in research, scholarly and creative activities is among the goals of Southern at 150: Building Excellence Through Commitment, the blueprint for the development of the University by the time it celebrates its 150th anniversary in 2019.