EUGENE, Ore. -- (June 8, 2009) - The University of Oregon's Museum of Natural and Cultural History and the Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art are celebrating graduation weekend by offering free open houses. Students and their families are encouraged to tour the world-class facilities and experience the unique and informative exhibits displayed within.
Three diverse exhibits on display at the Museum of Natural and Cultural History offer visitors of all ages the opportunity to learn more about the history, geology and cultures of Oregon. Admission will be free June 12-14.
The exhibit, "Seeing Time - Geologic Clues to our Ancient Earth," features photography by Marli Miller, UO geology professor, touchable rock specimens, and hands-on activities to learn how to read the landscape for clues and "see" time. The wonder of nature's diversity is on display in the exhibit, "A Myriad of Wild Flowers and Leaves- photographs by Don Lown."
The museum's permanent exhibit, "Oregon¬¬-Where Past is Present," offers visitors a 15,000 year-long view of human history and millions more of geologic time.
The Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art will host its free open house on June 13 and 14. The museum features "MFA 2009," an eclectic mixture of artwork and media produced by UO Master of Fine Arts graduates. Featured artists in the exhibition include Aaron Forman, photography; Damon Harris, ceramics; Charlotte Mann, photography; Andrew O'Brien, photography; J.B. Raetzke, photography; David Siebert, painting; Joan Swift, fibers; and Jennifer Wall, metals/jewelry. These student artists represent the fields of specialized study offered by the UO department of art.
Also on view is "Binh Danh: In the Eclipse of Angkor: Tuol Sleng, Choeung Ek, and Khmer Temples," showcasing the Vietnamese-American photographer's collection of daguerreotype and chlorophyll prints; "Dali: The Twelve Tribes of Israel," a print series representing the twelve sons of Jacob who - according to the Old Testament - were the founders of the original Tribes of Israel; and collections galleries dedicated to American, Chinese, Korean and Japanese art.
The Museum of Natural and Cultural History is located on at 1680 East 15th Ave. Museum hours are Wednesday through Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art is located at 1430 Johnson Lane. Museum hours are 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesdays and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays through Sundays.
About the University of Oregon
The University of Oregon is a world-class teaching and research institution and Oregon's flagship public university. The UO is a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU), an organization made up of the 62 leading public and private research institutions in the United States and Canada. The University of Oregon is one of only two AAU members in the Pacific Northwest.
Contacts: Judi Pruitt, UO Museum of Natural and Cultural History, 541-346-1671, judip@uoregon.edu; Debbie Williamson-Smith, Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art, 541-346-0942, debbiews@uoregon.edu
Links: Museum of Natural and Cultural History, http://www.uoregon.edu/~mnh/; Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art, http://jsma.uoregon.edu
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