SUBJECT: Lecture, exhibit feature outdoor scuplture at Nebraska State Historical Society's Museum of Nebraska History, 15th & P Streets, Lincoln

"SOS: A national look at outdoor Sculpture" is the title of a presentation on the Save Outdoor Sculpture to be held at 12 noon, Thursday, January 15 at the Nebraska State Historical Society's Museum of Nebraska History, 15th & P Streets, Lincoln. Deborah Long, Objects Conservator at the Society's Ford Conservation Center in Omaha will provide an overview of the efforts to locate, document, and preserve outdoor sculpture in America (including Nebraska's Sower).

The lecture will serve as a preview of a touring exhibit, "Preserving Memory: America's Monumental Legacy" that will open January 20 at the Museum of Nebraska History. Showing the variety of outdoor sculptures in the U. S. and projects to preserve them, the exhibit features 20 panels and images of over 200 artworks.

Heritage Preservation and the Smithsonian Art Museum, sponsors of the exhibit, note "Public sculpture, monuments, and memorials record our history in brief. They reflect our community goals and collective consciousness. They are memory aids, a sort of family album, a string around each community's finger. Preserving Memory explains who and what achieves 'monumental status' and gives insight into the process. It also tells the stories of public sculpture ranging from 'found' art by self-taught artists to totem poles to commemorative fountains to the Statue of Liberty." The exhibit will run through February 15.

The January lecture is open to the public free of charge. It will be subsequently broadcast on 5CityTV, the government access cable channel in Lincoln. Check listings for "History Forum." Hours at the Museum of Nebraska History are 9-4:30, Tuesday-Friday and 1-4:30 Saturday and Sunday. For more information call 402.471.4754 or visit www.nebraskahistory.org.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Debbie Long, 402/595-1141
dlong@nebraskahistory.org

FOR INFORMATION ABOUT THE SERIES:

402/471.4754