Sheldon Museum of Art facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Sheldon Museum of Art
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Front (east) entrance
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 Location in Nebraska
Location in the United States
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| Location | R St & N 12th St Lincoln, Nebraska U.S. |
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| Built | 1963 |
| Architect | Philip Johnson |
| NRHP reference No. | 13000676 |
| Added to NRHP | September 3, 2013 |
The Sheldon Museum of Art is a cool art museum located in Lincoln, a city in the state of Nebraska in the central United States. This museum is famous for its amazing collection of art from the 1800s and 1900s. It's a great place to explore and learn about different art styles!
Contents
The Story of the Sheldon Museum
How the Art Association Started
The story of the Sheldon Museum began in 1888. That's when a group called the Haydon Art Club was formed. They named it after a British painter, Benjamin Robert Haydon. This club put on art shows every year. They also helped teach art at the university. In the early 1900s, the club changed its name. It became the Nebraska Art Association.
Today, the Sheldon Art Association is a non-profit group. It has more than 500 members who love art.
The Museum's Name Changes
The Sheldon Museum of Art has had a few different names. It was first known as the University of Nebraska Art Galleries. Later, it was called the Sheldon Memorial Art Gallery. In 2008, the museum's name changed to what it is today. The group that supports the museum also changed its name. It became the Sheldon Art Association.
The Museum Building: A Special Design
For many years, the museum's art was shown in different places. These included buildings like Morrill Hall at the university. But in 1963, the museum got its very own building. It's located right on the campus of the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. You can find it where 12th and R Streets meet.
Who Designed the Sheldon Building?
The famous architect Philip Johnson designed the Sheldon Museum. He was very proud of his work on this building. In fact, he once said it was the best building he had ever designed! The Sheldon is even listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. This means it's a very important historical site.
Johnson wanted the museum to feel welcoming. He didn't want visitors to feel "museum fatigue." This is when people feel tired or disconnected from the art. He designed the building to make visitors feel excited and proud.
Cool Features of the Building
The Sheldon building has some really cool parts. Inside, there's a huge main hall. It has shiny golden disks hanging from the ceiling. There's also a grand staircase that looks like a bridge. The outside of the building is made of Roman travertine. This is a special type of limestone.
The building was made possible by gifts from Frances Sheldon and her brother, A. Bromley Sheldon. Their family owned farms and a lumber yard in Lexington, Nebraska. For many years, a special sculpture was in the great hall. It was called "Song of the Bird." The Japanese-American artist Isamu Noguchi created it for the museum's opening in 1963.
Museum Leaders
Many people have helped lead the Sheldon Museum over the years:
- 1956-1993: Norman Geske
- 1983-1999: George Neubert
- 2001-2008: Janice Driesbach
- 2008-2014: Jorge Daniel Veneciano
- 2014–present: Wally Mason
Norman Geske was the very first director in 1956. He is known for building the museum's modern art collection. He also helped start other art programs in Nebraska. These include the Museum of Nebraska Art in Kearney.
Since 2014, Wally Mason has been the director. He used to be a director at the Haggerty Museum of Art. That museum is part of Marquette University in Milwaukee.
What's in the Collection?
The Sheldon Museum holds two big art collections. One is from the Sheldon Art Association. The other is from the University of Nebraska. Together, they have more than 12,000 pieces of art! This huge collection focuses on American art.
You can see many different styles here. These include 19th-century landscape paintings and still lifes. There's also American Impressionism and early Modernism. You can find Abstract Expressionism, Pop art, and Contemporary Art. In 1965, a painting called "Golden Age" by Benjamin West was taken from the museum. It was later found and returned.
The Sculpture Garden
Outside the museum, there's a beautiful sculpture garden. More than 30 large sculptures are on display all year long. You can see works by famous artists like Gaston Lachaise and Richard Serra.
When the first sculptures were put in the garden, some people had strong opinions. One person even called to complain about the "junk" in the garden! In 1998, a bronze sculpture called Man in the Open Air was taken from the garden. It was later found on the university's East Campus. After some repairs, the sculpture was moved inside the museum for safekeeping.
Exhibitions and Programs
The Sheldon Museum puts on about 20 art shows every year. These shows often feature American art in all its forms. Many of the exhibitions are created using art from the museum's own collection. Some of these shows even travel to other museums across the United States.
The museum also hosts exhibitions from other art places. They offer fun educational programs too. These include talks, workshops for kids, and tours. These programs help visitors learn more about the art on display.
Gallery
