August 04, 2011
University Museum schedules new exhibits
CARBONDALE, Ill. -- The University Museum at Southern Illinois University Carbondale ends summer with two new exhibits that carry the museum into the new academic year.
First up is “Goin’ Fast and Lookin’ Good: Hot Rods in Southern Illinois,” an exhibit curated by Nate Steinbrink, curator of exhibits and hot rod enthusiast.
The exhibit opens Aug. 26 and runs through Nov. 10. Steinbrink issued a call for materials to be included in the exhibit, and will continue to accept materials until Aug. 23. He noted that he can scan and return photos immediately for those who do not want to loan items to the exhibit.
Steinbrink defines the golden age of hot rods as the era from about 1940 to about 1970. He wants: pictures of hot rods and racers in Southern Illinois and stories about hot rodding and racing. Steinbeck also plans to identify significant Southern Illinois sites that pertain to the hot rod experience -- drive-ins, garages, hang-out spots and so on.
Hot rod enthusiasts, whether they drive one or just admire them as they go by, should keep Oct. 22 open for a cruise-in. Details are forthcoming. Also, a reception for the exhibit is set for 4-7 p.m. on Sept. 9.
Another exhibit beginning in the waning days of summer is a joint exhibit featuring the metal art of Rick Smith, who holds the Endowed Chairmanship for Blacksmithing in SIUC’s School of Art and Design.
That exhibit opens Aug. 26 also, and runs through Oct. 29, with a public reception 4-7 p.m. on Sept. 16. Smith works in both blacksmithing and forge welding. He has taken his expertise to several craft schools as a visiting artist, including Penland School of Crafts and the Haystack Mountain School of Crafts. His work is part of the featured major exhibit, “Iron 2010” at the Memphis, Tenn., Metals Museum. That exhibit comes to University Museum in January 2012.
Smith’s exhibit coincides with an exhibit featuring work from SIMS, the Southern Illinois Metalsmiths Society, one of the most active Registered Student Organizations on campus. The group annually brings in a major metals artist for workshops and presentations. The exhibit is a place for SIMS students to show their best recent work.
The reception for that exhibit coincides with the reception for Rick Smith.
Other exhibits open in September.
Continuing exhibits include: Ben Gelmen: Photographs; Pop Art, curated by Bob deHoet and featuring additional pop art created by students from area high schools; “The Legacy of Katherine Kuh: Building the University’s Art Collection,” curated by Dona Bachman, museum director, from the permanent collection; the Tlingit Totem Pole, curated by graduate student David Gugerty; and “Connecting Our Links: A Retrospective of the SIUC Metals Program,” a senior thesis prepared by Shana Loconsole.
The University Museum is closed Sundays and Mondays and during University breaks. Summer hours are 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, and 1-4 p.m. on Saturdays. Visit the museum online at www.museum.siu.edu/.