Wednesday, October 13,1999 pAGE 9
i
Search for new Sheldon
director begins while funds
are gathered for expansion
By Sarah Baker
Senior editor
Editors note: Today, we present the second in a three-part series
exploring the history, mission andfuture ofthe Sheldon Memorial Art
Gallery.
Art is a thing of constant change.
The Sheldon Memorial Art gallery personifies that change - in
more than one way.
Its curator brings in exhibits of many of the most
well-known contemporary American artists of our
time. Its collection continues to grow rapidly. And its
reputation continues to be that of one of the most
respected galleries in its league.
But, much like the constant barrage of art that
comes and goes through the gallery, so goes the
change with both the structure and leadership that
make the gallery what it is.
With the recent departure of the Sheldon’s direc
tor, the growing emphasis on the long-planned
expansion of the gallery and the reloca
tion of the Mary Riepma Ross Film
Theater, the gallery will face more
changes than just the shuffling of paint
ings and sculptures.
Leading the change is the ongoing
search for a new director to guide the
gauciy mio me next ccniury.
Chancellor James Moeser said the search for a new
director was “barely under way” but that a search commit
tee has been formed and some advertisements have been
placed.
“Indeed, there are some things we are definitely look
ing for in a director,” Moeser said. “We are looking for
someone who is a Ph.D. in art, someone who is a strong
advocate of the museum, that can lead the staff, embrace
the culture, raise funds and work with the expansion of the
gallery.”
Dan Siedell, curator of the Sheldon and the interim director of the
gallery, said the search committee had met three times so far.
He said in his opinion, die most essential part of the search is col
tt
This is one of
the major
collections in
the U.S., and
this is a big
position
James Moeser
UNL chancellor
Please see SHELDON on 10
Heather Glenboski/DN
TOP: THE SHELDON WILL be searching for a
new director to lead the museum into the next
century. They are looking for someone who
“is a Ph.D. in art, someone who is a strong
advocate of the museum, that can lead.the
staff, embrace the culture, raise funds and
work with the expansion of the gallery."
ABOVE: CONSTRUCTION ON THE Sheldon was
completed last week. They were cleaning the
water stains on the outside of the museum
that had been accumulating for the past
decade.
LEFT: “PIETA,” A SCULPTURE by Bruns L.
Lucchesi, was covered with piastic to protect
It from harmful chemicals used to clean the
Sheldon