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| Vol. 18, No. 8 | Oct. 22, 1998 |
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| Vol. 18, No. 8 | Oct. 22, 1998 |
The University Gallery is celebrating its 20th anniversary this month. To help mark the observance, two exhibitions, "Wonders of Russia: Icons and Minerals from University of Delaware Collections" and "Forgotten Marriage: The Painted Tintype and Decorative Frames, 1860-1910" will continue on view through Nov. 1.
The University Gallery was established in 1978 by the Board of Trustees to promote excellence and understanding of the arts and humanities on campus and in the surrounding community. Under the guidance of its first director, William T. Alderson, the gallery began as a teaching/exhibition space within the Museum Studies Program. It became an independent unit in the College of Arts and Science in 1989.
Today, it continues as an interdisciplinary museum where students interested in art history research, art techniques and learning the standards and practices of the museum profession receive hands-on training through formal course work and curatorial apprenticeships.
Belena Chapp has been the gallery director for the past 12 years, and last year she also assumed responsibility for the UD Mineralogical Museum.
The gallery's opening in 1978 coincided with the re-opening of historic Old College after extensive renovations and restoration. The inaugural show, "The University Collects," featured selections from the University's holdings of etchings, lithographs, sculpture, paintings and photographs by such renowned artists as Pablo Picasso, Eduoard Manet, Marc Chagall, Rembrant van Rijn, John Sloan, Alfred Stieglitz and N.C. and Andrew Wyeth.
Today, the University Gallery continues to present an extensive variety of exciting arts and humanities events of regional and national significance.
Upcoming exhibitions in 1999 include "Shouts from the Wall: Propaganda Arts from the Spanish Civil War," "Image and Image Maker: African Americans in Art from University of Delaware Collections" and "One Small Step: Exploring America's Adventures in Space, 1959-1999."
In addition to its active public exhibition program, the gallery also is the repository for a unique permanent collection of more than 6,000 art objects and ethnographic artifacts spanning the ancient period through the present. The collection includes works by such artists as Auguste Rodin, Aristide Maillol and Mary Cassatt, as well as a number of pre-Columbian ceramics and Russian icons.
The University Gallery is located on the second floor of Old College. Hours are 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Tuesday through Friday; and 1-5 p.m., Saturday and Sunday. The gallery is closed on Mondays and all University holidays. It is wheelchair accessible and those individuals requesting disability accommodations are encouraged to call at least 10 days prior to an event.
All University Gallery exhibits are free and open to the public. For more information, call 831-8242, fax 831-8251 or TDD 831-4563 or consult the gallery web site at <http://seurat.art.udel.edu>.
