Artist Eric Gottesman will present a free and public talk about the intersection of art and civic discourse, “For Freedoms,” at 6 p.m. Sept. 27 in the Sheldon Museum of Art. An accompanying exhibit matching the theme of his lecture will be on display through Dec. 31.

Gottesman is co-founder of the For Freedoms Federation, a nonpartisan platform that promotes ways for artists and arts institutions to engage in public life. The group’s 50 State Initiative has established a network of academic art museums, libraries, and other organizations that are presenting concurrent exhibitions and events this fall.

Representing Nebraska in the 50 State Initiative, the Sheldon has drawn works from its permanent holdings and those of private collections for the exhibit ”For Freedoms: In the future days…” The works explore the enduring relevance of a 1941 address to Congress in which President Franklin D. Roosevelt laid out four essential freedoms—freedom of speech and religion, freedom from want and fear—that would later form the cornerstone of the United Nations Declaration for Human Rights. The collection will be displayed through Dec. 31.

Along with serving as an assistant professor of art and design at the Purchase College, Gottesman is a published author, Fullbright Fellowship awardee, and accomplished artist, with artwork featured in numerous collections including the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston.

For more information, please contact the Sheldon Museum of Art at 402-472-2461 or sheldonmuseum@unl.edu.