The University of Nebraska’s Great Plains Art Museum will reopen Nov. 10 after a broken water main flooded the lower level in September.
The museum will reopen in time for the return visit of artist Gwen Westerman, the 2015 Elizabeth Rubendall Artist in Residence. During Westerman’s first visit, Sept. 1-5, she started an artwork that she will finish during her next visit, Nov. 11-14. Westerman, a fiber artist and poet, will use the lobby of the museum to create this piece and interact with museum visitors.
Visitors and school groups are invited to view and interact with Westerman as she works in the museum (see available times below). Groups may arrange tours by contacting the museum at 402-472-6220.
Westerman lives in southern Minnesota, as did her Dakota ancestors. Her roots are deep in the landscape of the tall grass prairie and reveal themselves in her art and writing through the languages and traditions of her family. Her solo exhibition, “We Are Star People: The Art and Poetry of Gwen Westerman,” is on display in the repaired lower-level gallery through Jan. 30, 2016. Many of the works and poems displayed contain Dakota language.
Public activities associated with Westerman’s residency:
Nov. 11-13, 1 to 4 p.m.: Westerman will create artwork in the lobby
Nov. 12, 7 to 8 p.m.: Poetry reading with Gwen Westerman, lower-level gallery
Nov. 14, 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.: Family Day with children’s art activities
The Great Plains Art Museum, 1155 Q St., is open to the public from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Admission is free.
