A new exhibition at the Sheldon Museum of Art is tapping into 12 of Lincoln’s public collections to tell the stories of various objects.

“Things Speak: Storied Objects from Lincoln Collections” opens with a 5:30 p.m. Sept. 16 public reception at the Sheldon. Admission to the museum and reception are free.

The exhibition will feature items arranged in a room, with the stories about each object presented. Some objects on display will relate to others, while some will be completely different. The exhibit is designed to be a diverse and unique presentation that conveys the importance of storytelling while also showcasing the cultural depth of Lincoln’s public collections.

Museums represented include the American Historical Society of Germans from Russia, Frank H. Woods Telephone Pioneer Museum, Great Plains Art Museum, International Quilt Study Center and Museum, Kruger Collection, LUX Center for the Arts, Museum of American Speed Smith Collection, National Museum of Roller Skating, Nebraska Capitol Collections of the Office of the Capitol Commission, Pioneers Park Nature Center, Sheldon Museum of Art, and University of Nebraska State Museum.

Ashley Hussman, curatorial associate at the Sheldon, is the curatorial organizer of the exhibition.

“Things Speak” is open through Feb. 8.

The museum will also host a variety of events related to the “Things Speak.” Those events include:

• Three unique bike tours to Lincoln collections, 1 to 5 p.m. on Sundays, Sept. 21, 28 and Oct. 5. Each ride starts from Sheldon at 1 p.m. Reservations for the free bike tours may be made online at http://go.unl.edu/en86. Pepe’s Vegetarian and Vegan Restaurant will have a food truck in the Sheldon parking lot from 4 to 6 p.m. following each bike tour. The Sheldon will also be open to the public from noon to 6 p.m.

• Rob Walker, columnist for The New York Times and co-editor of “Significant Objects: 100 Extraordinary Stories About Ordinary Things,” is the keynote speaker for a symposium on the nexus of an object and its story. The talk is 5:30 p.m. Oct. 7 at Sheldon.

• The American Historical Society of Germans from Russia, 631 D St., will participate in the UNL History Harvest led by Will Thomas, professor of history. The event is 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 18. For more information, go to http://historyharvest.unl.edu.

• Grace Bauer, UNL professor and poet, will lead a writing workshop in conjunction with the exhibition at 10 a.m. to noon, Nov. 8 at Sheldon. Reservations for the free workshop may be made online at http://go.unl.edu/g9i9.

• “Thing Think: A Creativity Workshop for Families” is an intergenerational workshop led by Seattle artist Joe Sparano from 1 to 4 p.m. Dec. 27 at Sheldon. Reservations for the free workshop may be made online at http://go.unl.edu/g9i9.

For more information, go to http://www.sheldonartmuseum.org.