December 11, 2003

Photo exhibition by retired professor on display in Russia

"Flat Places," a photography exhibition by recently retired UNL photojournalism professor George Tuck, is being featured through April 2005 at the residence of the U.S. consul general in St. Petersburg, Russia.

The subject matter of the exhibition is scenes from the Great Plains, including Nebraska and Texas, primarily landscape. The complete show consists of 90 photos and three explanatory pieces. Each photo has a separate caption showing the title and location of the photo, plus two or three sentences of explanation or comments.

"When my husband (Morris N. Hughes Jr. of Humboldt, Neb.) assumed the post of consul general to St. Petersburg, we became aware of George Tuck's work and inquired whether it would be possible to use the exhibit as a way to show our Russian and other foreign visitors that there's much more to America ... than New York and Washington," Betty Hughes said.

"Russians love their rural areas and can identify with the vast landscapes in the exhibit. Americans are, for the most part, ordinary folks doing ordinary things, just like most of the Russians outside of Moscow and St. Petersburg."

Russian guests, other foreign diplomats and Americans visiting the residence have an opportunity to view the exhibit.

"We have over 2,500 guests per year," Betty Hughes said. "Visitors have included local politicians, other foreign consulate diplomats, American congressmen and women, even the first lady."

Tuck's "Flat Places" has also been exhibited in conjunction with the Karl May Festival in Bad Segeberg, Germany, at the Panhandle Plains Historical Museum in Canyon, Texas, and in various locations in Nebraska, including the Christlieb Gallery at the Center for Great Plains Studies in Lincoln. It is also scheduled for exhibition in 2005 at the Museum of the Southwest in Midland, Texas.

Berlioz music performed Dec. 12

The UNL School of Music presents the music of Hector Berlioz at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 12 at Kimball Recital Hall.

School of Music artist-in-residence Ariel Bybee and special guest artist Charles Pickler, principal viola with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, will perform with the UNL Symphony Orchestra. The event is a celebration of what would be Hector Berlioz's 200th birthday.

Tickets are $5 general admission, $3 for students and seniors, and are available at the door. For more information, call 472-6865.

BFA exhibition opens Dec. 15

The Bachelor of Fine Arts Capstone Exhibition runs Dec. 15-19 in the Eisentrager-Howard Gallery in Richards Hall.

The exhibition features the work of graduating candidates for the Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. A reception will be from 5-7 p.m. Dec. 19 in the gallery.

Hours for this exhibition are noon to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Theatrix stages Real Thing

UNL Theatre's Theatrix presents Tom Stoppard's The Real Thing at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 11 and 13 and at 7:30 and 10:30 p.m. on Dec. 12 in the Studio Theatre, third floor Temple Building. Tickets are available only at the door and are $5 each.

The Real Thing portrays an idealistic playwright whose second wife is trying to merge worthy causes with her art as an actress.

For more information, call 472-2072.