Sheldon Museum of Art facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Sheldon Museum of Art
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 Location in Nebraska
Location in the United States
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| Location | N 12th Street & R Street Lincoln, Nebraska, U. S. |
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| Built | 1963 |
| Architect | Philip Johnson |
| Architectural style | Modern |
| NRHP reference No. | 13000676 |
| Added to NRHP | September 3, 2013 |
The Sheldon Museum of Art is an exciting art museum located on the campus of the University of Nebraska–Lincoln in Lincoln, Nebraska. It was first known as the Sheldon Memorial Art Gallery. The museum opened in 1963. This happened when the university's art collection moved into its own special building.
The building is at the corner of 12th and R Streets. It was designed by the famous architect Philip Johnson. Mary and Adams Sheldon helped pay for it. The building is made of a beautiful Italian stone called travertine. It has a grand hall and a unique central staircase. The museum focuses on art from the 1800s and 1900s. It holds over 12,000 artworks. These pieces show many different American art styles. Outside, there is a sculpture garden with more than thirty large artworks. The museum was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2013.
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History of the Sheldon Museum
In 1888, a group called the Sheldon Art Association was started. It was first named the Haydon Art Club. This was to honor a British painter named Benjamin Robert Haydon. The club held an art show every year. They also provided art education for the university. In the early 1900s, it became the Nebraska Art Association.
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For many years, the Nebraska Art Association showed its art in different university buildings. One notable place was Morrill Hall. A special building for the art was finished in 1963. It is located at the edge of the University of Nebraska's City Campus. The building is made of Italian travertine stone. It features a grand hall and a staircase that seems to float.
A Japanese-American sculptor named Isamu Noguchi created a special artwork for the grand hall. He called it "Song of the Bird." This piece was part of the building's opening events. Architect Philip Johnson believed the Sheldon was the best building he ever designed. He said a museum should be a proud symbol for the community. He felt the Sheldon's design, especially its grand hall, achieved this. The building was also designed to help visitors avoid feeling tired. This feeling is sometimes called "museum fatigue."
The museum was named the Sheldon Memorial Art Gallery. This was to honor Mary and Adams Sheldon. They were siblings who funded the entire project. They both passed away during the building's construction. Their generous gifts helped make the museum possible.
In 2008, the museum changed its name to the Sheldon Museum of Art. Its supporting group also changed its name to the Sheldon Art Association that same year. The museum was officially added to the National Register of Historic Places in September 2013.
Museum Leaders
Norman Geske became the museum's first director in 1956. He is known for building the Sheldon's collection of modern art. He also started other cultural programs. These include the Interstate 80 Bicentennial Sculpture Project. He also helped create the Museum of Nebraska Art in Kearney. Another project was the Sheldon Film Theater, now called the Mary Riepma Ross Media Arts Center.
- 1956–1983: Norman Geske
- 1983–1999: George Neubert
- 2001–2008: Janice Driesbach
- 2008–2014: Jorge Daniel Veneciano
- 2014–2023: Wally Mason
- 2023–present: Susan Longhenry
Art Collections
The Sheldon Museum holds a huge collection of art. It combines artworks from the Sheldon Art Association and the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. Together, there are over 12,000 pieces of art. These include paintings, sculptures, and other types of art. This collection focuses on American art.
It features many styles from the 1800s and 1900s. You can see landscape and still life paintings. There are also examples of American Impressionism and early modernism. Other styles include geometric abstraction, abstract expressionism, and pop art. The collection also has lyrical abstraction, color field painting, minimalism, and contemporary art.
In April 1965, a painting called "Golden Age" by Benjamin West was taken from the museum. It was later found by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and returned.
Sculpture Garden
The museum's sculpture garden opened in 1970. It has more than thirty very large sculptures. Some of the artists whose works are displayed include Gaston Lachaise and Jacques Lipchitz. You can also see art by Claes Oldenburg and Coosje van Bruggen. Other artists include David Smith, Lyman Kipp, and William G. Tucker. Works by Bryan Hunt, Mark di Suvero, Michael Heizer, and Richard Serra are also there.
When the garden first opened, some of the artworks were quite new and different. In 1998, a bronze sculpture called Man in the Open Air was taken from the garden. This sculpture was created by Elie Nadelman in 1915. It was later found on the university's East Campus. After some restoration work, the sculpture was safely returned inside the museum building.
Exhibitions
The Sheldon Museum hosts about twenty exhibitions each year. These shows focus on American art in all its forms. They often include fun educational programs. These programs can be lectures, workshops for children, and guided tours. The museum staff creates many exhibitions using art from their own collection. Some of these shows even travel to other museums across the United States. The museum also hosts exhibitions organized by other art institutions.
Gallery
