Mission Statement

The purpose of the Lentz Center for Asian Culture has been to recognize the rich and varied cultures of the many diverse peoples of Asia. As an entity within the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, its unique collection provided a singular opportunity for enhancing instructional programs on the campus, as well as enriching the cultural environment of the citizens of the state of Nebraska for 27 years. The exhibitions embodied the University's strong commitment to fostering multicultural understanding through an appreciation of Asian cultures.

Reflections. . .

The Lentz Center for Asian Culture, dedicated to the enrichment of knowledge and understanding of Asia, has been the only museum in Nebraska history to be devoted solely to Asian Art.

For nearly three decades, through its free exhibitions of Asian art, artifacts and cultural activities, the Center has provided displays that could be serene, yet welcoming. Other exhibitions enflamed not only the imagination of our staff, but that of visitors of all ages, as they were caught up by the spirit of the show.

In 2009, the Xu Yinsen show featured distinguished artist, Xu Yinsen, a teacher at the National Academy of Fine Arts for twenty years, who not only demonstrated the art of calligraphy, but gifted the Lentz Center with a calligraphy painting and accompanying poem. He also donated a second painting, Plum Blossoms. The plum blossom is considered by the Chinese to be a "friend of winter," because they are hearty and the first to bloom as winter transitions toward spring. These items are among those featured in the Spring/Summer 2010 exhibition, "Director's Choice."

Later in 2009, the Lentz Center/UNL brought in the monks of the Dreplung Losling monastery for their fourth appearance. The sand mandala exhibitions have drawn the greatest attendance of any other exhibitions. The 2009 Mandala was dedicated to Manjusri, the bodhisattva of wisdom. The sand mandala activity table was a popular feature as guests from the community utilized tools furnished by the monks to create designs out of an array of brightly colored sand, provided by the Lentz Center.

Looking back. . .

Inspired by their many years of work and study in Asia, the initial endowment and basic collection were established by Professor and Mrs. Donald Lentz. First, they began collecting Asian musical instruments and then other Asian objects. Professor Lentz, an authority on Asian music, authored the book, The Gamelan Music of Java and Bali. The Center became the realization of their deep commitment not only to Asian cultures, but to the University of Nebraska and the people of the great state of Nebraska.

Establishment of the Center was approved by the University of Nebraska Board of Regents in 1983, and it was dedicated in 1986 at Morrill Hall. It was moved to its current location, a considerably larger space, in Hewit Place in 2000.

Sadly, in 2010, following the Director's Choice exhibition, the Center will no longer offer regular exhibitions, due to financial considerations. We appreciate that, with the digitization of the collection, it will be available globally, to those with internet/computers.

Awards

2004 'Event of the Year Award' for
Arts of Tibet: Object and Performance

05/17/04 Press Release – The Lentz Center for Asian Culture was notified that they were selected to receive special recognition for their exhibit, "Arts of Tibet: Object and Performance" via the "Event of the Year Award" (sponsored by Steve Nolan, Central Financial Services). The Center was nominated for the award by Robert Kuzelka, and it was presented on June 2, 2004 at the 26th Anniversary of the Mayor's Arts Awards ceremony.

This three-part program brought several aspects of Tibetan culture to the community in 2003. An exhibition of Tibetan objects from the Lentz collections drew nearly 2,500 visitors. A highlight of the exhibition was the five-day construction of a mandala sand painting in the center of the gallery by nine visiting Tibetan Buddhist monks from the Drepung Loseling Monastery.

This particular mandala was chosen for the American people after the September 11, 2001 tragedy. Its purpose was to help dispel anger. The monks also presented a Sacred Music and Dance program at Kimball Hall in honor of Velma Lentz and in memory of Professor Donald Lentz.