EUGENE, Ore. — (June 12, 2012) — In celebration of the University of Oregon's graduation weekend, the Museum of Natural and Cultural History and the Jordon Schnitzer Museum of Art will host the second annual Art and Culture Weekend this Friday through Sunday, June 15-17.

Both museums will be open from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. each day. Admission is free. Both museums also will be open to celebrate UO commencement on Monday, June 18.

The Museum of Natural and Cultural History's current exhibitions include: a display of Jim Thorpe's 1912 Olympic trials medals; "Explore Oregon! in the Making," "Oregon – Where Past is Present"; "Out in Space, Back in Time: Images from the Hubble Space Telescope"; and Becky Uhler's "The Art of Nature" in the Pacific Northwest Artists Series.

Visitors can find the perfect graduation gift during the second annual Art and Culture Weekend Trunk Show at Past and Presents, the museum store. This event, from noon to 3 p.m., will feature local artist Patti Lomott on Saturday and jewelry artist Kathleen Frazer on Sunday. The artists will show a one-time-only expanded selection of their work and discuss how the beauty of the Pacific Northwest inspires them, and how they interpret it in their artwork.

The Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art is featuring: "Provenance: In Honor of Arlene Schnitzer," a new exhibition of works from the private collection of Harold and Arlene Schnitzer; "Visions of the Orient: Western Women Artists in Asia, 1900-1940," by Helen Hyde, Bertha Lum, Elizabeth Keith and Lilian Miller; the photography of internationally acclaimed artist and UO alumnus Russel Wong in "The Big Picture"; and "Stacey Steers: Night Hunter House," an installation piece showcasing her animated film "Night Hunter House" through windows of a Victorian dollhouse.

The museum store Precious Cargo is having a graduation sale, with 20 percent off through June 20.

The Museum of Natural and Cultural History is located at 1680 E. 15th Ave., across from historic Hayward Field. For more information call 541-346-3024. The Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art is located at 1430 Johnson Lane, in the heart of campus. For more information, call 541-346-3027.

Media Contacts:
Judi Pruitt, Museum of Natural and Cultural History, 541-346-1671, judip@uoregon.edu ; Debbie Williamson-Smith, Communications, Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art, 541-346-0942, debbiews@uoregon.edu

MNCH on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/oregonnaturalhistory

Schnitzer on Facebook: www.facebook.com/jordanschnitzermuseumofart