Blocks on Blocks - One on Three - Ball & L by Fletcher Benton, 1997.

Benton's New Constructivism Focal Point of Sheldon Exhibit

The Sheldon Memorial Art Gallery and Sculpture Garden will present Fletcher Benton: New Constructivism, a special survey of 50 selected works created from the early 1980s to 1999. The exhibition opened to the public on March 19 and will be on display through June 27.

As an American west coast-based artist, Fletcher Benton gained international prominence as an innovative sculptor with his finely crafted mechanical kinetic works as part of the New York World's Fair in 1965. Though abandoning the fourth dimension (movement) Benton has continued his successful career through the 1970s and '80s with numerous prominent placements/commissions of his signature monumental, colorful, geometric, steel constructions--similar to Sheldon's own 35 ft. Balanced/Unbalanced Wheels #2, 1990, located at 10th Street and Stadium Drive as part of the University of Nebraska's outdoor sculpture collection. This exhibition represents a broad spectrum of Benton's body of work, tracing his artistic development and formal inventiveness of the last two decades, which include free-standing sculpture, wall relief constructions, cast paper reliefs, watercolors and steel paintings.

Benton's aesthetic is rooted in the nonobjective language of European constructivism, derived from the same cubist/constructivist tradition of Alexander Calder's colorful mobiles and stabiles and the brushed stainless steel sculptures of David Smith. Indebted to an industrial ethos through choice of material and technology, Benton's sculpture, wall reliefs and paintings seem to strike a balanced dialogue between the intellect and emotion - the rational and improvisational.

Working in a series, Benton explores various combinations or visual solutions with the same vocabulary of visual elements and forms. An intuitive process, he creates small maquettes from which the full-scale, finished sculptures are fabricated in his San Francisco studio. As an artist Benton has always been responsive to media and material - believing in the inherent physical properties of visual language to express his personal feelings and emotions. We are confident that this exhibition, Fletcher Benton: New Constructivism, reflects a mature resolve of original aesthetic that adds to the constructivist tradition of the 20th Century.

Concurrent with this exhibition is a special display at the Strategic Air Command Museum of airplane model constructions from World War II created by Fletcher Benton in collaboration with model builder Frank Cronin entitled Fletcher Benton: Homage to WWII Aircraft. Contact the SAC Museum in Ashland, Neb., at (402) 827-3100 for more information about this display.

A special expression of thanks for the generous support of the Duncan Family through the Lincoln Community Foundation in memory of Dodie Acklie Nakajima, Marc and Kathy LeBaron, Carl and Jane Rohman, and Clay and Beth Smith who made this exhibition possible.

Burning Grass, Lyon County, Kansas by Larry W. Schwarm, 1994.

Larry Schwarm: Prairie Fire

The Sheldon Memorial Art Gallery and Sculpture Garden will present Larry Schwarm: Prairie Fire, an exhibition that demonstrates the gallery's commitment to the medium of photography and its importance as an artistic expression in addition to programming some of the most significant artists of our region.

Behind the lens is photographer and artist, Larry Schwarm. Schwarm received his B.F.A., as well as his M.F.A. (with honors) in Design/Sculpture from the University of Kansas and is an associate professor of art at Emporia State University where he teaches all levels of photography. His photographs have been prominently exhibited throughout the country including such well-known galleries as the Portland Institute of Contemporary Art in Portland, Ore., and the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C.

Schwarm has traveled the globe, making countries such as Thailand, France and Turkey his canvas. "My work is about the landscape."

"Although I have made conscious efforts to photograph different subjects, the landscape has been my constant theme. This exhibition focuses on prairie fires. We are fascinated by fire; a connection to our collective subconscious. It is at once, good and evil; soothing and terrifying; destructive and life forming. It is spirituality, beauty, and change."

Since moving to Emporia, Kan., (on the edge of the Kansas Flint Hills) several years ago, he has become more and more interested in photographing the area. "Each spring the hills are burned to kill the weeds (and trees) and so the new grasses can get a head-start. About half the work that I've included in this exhibition deals with these fires. My interests are not to describe in literal terms, but rather to make images that evoke an emotional response, that explore life and search for the sublime. I am interested in minimalist space and the power of color." Over 30 images will be on exhibit; many oversized, making the presentation even more powerful.

Schwarm will present a gallery talk as part of Sheldon's ongoing educational program "Wednesday Walks" at 12:15 p.m. April 21 in the gallery. The public is invited to participate at no charge. Gourmet coffee is provided by The Mill and cookies will be available. A reception for the artist will also be held from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on April 21 to which the public is also invited.

The exhibit closes June 13.

GP Music and Dance Festival April 5-11

The Great Plains Music and Dance Festival and Symposium will take place in Lincoln from April 5 to 11. The festival and the 23rd annual symposium is sponsored by the University of Nebraska's Center for Great Plains Studies. Performances will include gospel choirs, Kansas City jazz, Mexican-American Conjunto band, Native American drum and dance groups, Native American contemporary blues and rock bands, community band, works by modern academic composers, Czech band, German folk music, modern dance, contemporary opera excerpts and West Texas music. Some of the performances require advance tickets or payment at the door, but several performances are free and open to the public.

The symposium will take place April 9-10 at the Cornhusker Hotel and paper topics will correlate with the performances. The complete program may be viewed on the Web at: http://www.unl.edu/plains/1 999symp.htm.

Folklorist Roger Welsch will give the keynote address at 6:30 p.m. April 9 in Kimball Hall. His talk on the role of music and dance in the lives of plains peoples will be free and open to the public.

The conference pre-registration fee is $60 (full conference including lunch). Students with ID may attend the symposium sessions at no charge (no lunch included). For more information, contact the Center for Great Plains Studies, 472-3082; cgps@unlinfo.unl.edu.

26th Annual Student Academy Awards April 1-4 at Ross

Beginning on April 1, the Mary Riepma Ross Film Theater is hosting free-to-the-public screenings of films by students from accredited colleges and universities who have entered the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences' 26th Annual Student Academy Awards. The Academy is the organization famous for the annual Oscar awards.

The purpose of the Student Academy Awards competition is to support and encourage filmmakers with no previous professional experience who are enrolled in accredited colleges and universities located throughout the United States. For purposes of this competition, the United States has been divided into three regions. Our region is called Region Two.

Screenings of this year's entries are scheduled at 7 p.m. on April 1 and 2; at 1 and 7 p.m. on April 3; and if necessary, at 2:15 and 7 p.m. on April 4.

To show our gratitude toward the participating jurors, there will be a small reception held at 6:30 p.m. April 1 before the start of the films. The reception will provide a perfect opportunity for jurors to interact with one another and discuss the up-coming films. It will also be open to the public, so everyone is encouraged to come. In addition to events on April 1, refreshments will be served for the public throughout the weekend.

The films compete in four categories: Animation, Documentary, Narrative and Alternative. The winning films will be sent on to the Academy, located in Beverly Hills, Calif., to compete against entries sent from other regions throughout the United States. The final judging for the national winners is done exclusively by members of the Academy, the same body of voters who decide the winners of the annual Oscar awards.

Winners of the national competition will be flown to Los Angeles to participate in an intensive week of industry-related activities, such as visiting film locations, meeting with industry professionals, and attending state-of-the-art filmmaking demonstrations. Several gala dinners and an awards reception are also held in their honor. The week culminates in the Student Academy Awards Presentation Ceremony where Gold, Silver, and Bronze Awards (which also include cash grants of $2,000, $1,500 and $1,000, respectively) are given by the Academy in recognition of outstanding achievements in student filmmaking in each of the above-mentioned categories.

In addition, all regional finalists' films in the Dramatic Category automatically become eligible for the Directors Guild of America Student Film Award. The winner of this award will receive a $1,000 cash prize, a directing internship of up to 13-weeks on a feature motion picture, and a stipend for living expenses as well as a travel allowance.

Region Two includes entries from the following: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia and Wisconsin. At the same time, judging will be taking place for two additional regions. Region One judging is hosted by the Northwest Film Center in Portland, Oregon and includes entries from Alaska, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Washington and Wyoming. Region Three judging is hosted by the Film Department at Brooklyn College in Brooklyn, New York and includes entries from New York and Puerto Rico.

Moesers To Perform With Lincoln Symphony March 30

UNL Chancellor James Moeser and his wife, Susan Moeser, will perform with the Lincoln Symphony in the orchestra's "Baroque Banquet" program at 7:30 p.m. March 30 at Kimball Recital Hall. The two soloists will be featured separately in two concertos for organ and orchestra by Handel. Other highlights of the performance include Dennis Schneider and Darryl White as trumpet soloists, and Baroque music specialist Kenneth Slowik as guest conductor.

"We are extremely pleased to have Kenneth Slowik, one of the foremost authorities on Baroque music, as guest conductor," said Jeth Mill, executive director of the Lincoln Symphony Orchestra Association. "We are also delighted to showcase the musical talents of Chancellor Moeser and Susan Moeser." Susan Moeser will be the organ soloist for Handel's Concerto in F Major for Organ and Orchestra while James Moeser is soloist in Handel's Concerto in B Flat Major.

The Lincoln Symphony Orchestra's Principal Trumpet, Dennis Schneider, will be featured as soloist in Vivaldi's Concerto for Two Trumpets, along with his successor at UNL, Darryl White. "This is another appealing aspect of our "Baroque Banquet," Mill said. "Dennis Schneider has been a fixture in the Lincoln music community for many years, and Darryl White is one of the finest young trumpet players around. It will be a tremendous pleasure to hear these two artists combine their talents."

The guest conductor, Kenneth Slowik, is artistic director of the Smithsonian Chamber Music Society and established his international reputation initially as a cellist and viola da gamba player. He has been a featured soloist with the National Symphony, Baltimore Symphony and Cleveland Orchestras. Slowik has over 50 recordings, many of which won prestigious international awards.

"The Lincoln Symphony is fortunate to have a conductor with such an international acclaim for this concert," said Mill. "With these soloists and Mr. Slowik's leadership, the audience is in for a real treat." In addition to the concertos by Handel and Vivaldi, the orchestra will perform the Overture in D Major by Telemann, Lully's Passacaglia and J.S. Bach's Orchestral Suite No. 1.

James Moeser earned his bachelor of music degree with honors and a master's degree of music from the University of Texas at Austin. He also earned a doctor of musical arts at the University of Michigan. He has an international reputation as a concert organist and was an active performer until 1993. Susan Moeser holds a doctor of musical arts degree and is a faculty member in the University of Nebraska School of Music with an active concert organ schedule.

Schneider is celebrating his 50th year as a professional musician and teacher. He is professor emeritus of trumpet at the UNL School of Music, where he directed the prize-winning jazz ensemble which appeared at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D. C.

White is assistant professor of Trumpet at the UNL School of Music. Before coming to Lincoln, White was an instructor of Trumpet at the University of Denver Lamont School of Music. He is the former artistic director of the Jazz by Design music series in Denver and founder of the jazz quartet Pretext.

Slowik now devotes increasing amounts of his time to conducting orchestral, oratorio and operatic repertoire. With both modern and period instrument ensembles, he elicits enthusiastic responses from audiences and critics alike. As an educator, Slowik has presented lectures at colleges and universities throughout the United States. He serves on the faculty of the University of Maryland and was named artistic director of the Baroque Performance Institute at the Oberlin College Conservatory in 1993.

The sponsors of "Baroque Banquet are the National Bank of Commerce and Ruth Amen. Tickets for the March 30 performance are available by calling the Lincoln Symphony at 423-2211.

Faculty Recital March 28

The School of Music presents faculty artist Scott Anderson, trombone, and Michael Cotton, piano, in a recital, The Trombone at the End of the Millennium, at 3 p.m. March 28 in Kimball Recital Hall. Admission is free.

For his program, Anderson has chosen works by Juraj Filas, NU's Randall Snyder, Anders Hillborg, and Eric Ewazen.

Anderson writes, "The trombone has been in existence in some form for approximately half (since the 15th century) of the millennium. From its early use in religious settings (many considered the instrument too sacred for everyday use) to its present day use in the genres of classical, jazz and popular music, the trombone has been cast in nearly every role but that of a solo instrument. This is reflected in the solo literature. None of the great masters wrote for solo trombone. The end of the 20th century has brought about a change in this oversight. With the advent of full-time classical trombone soloists, many of the major composers of the 20th century have contributed to the repertoire. We may be making progress."

Anderson is assistant professor of trombone and euphonium in the School of Music and a member of the NU Faculty Brass Quintet.

Before coming to the University of Nebraska, Anderson was assistant professor of low brass and humanities at St. Cloud State University where he taught trombone, euphonium, tuba and Rock and Roll History. In addition, he has been an instructor at the University of Minnesota, the MacPhail School of Music and Dana College. Anderson has earned degrees from Iowa State University,

Northwestern University and the University of Minnesota. His former teachers include David Stuart, Franklin Crisafulli and Thomas Ashworth.

Anderson is a frequent soloist with orchestras, bands and in recital. He has been a soloist with the Strategic Air Command Band, the University of Minnesota Symphony Orchestra, the Iowa State University Symphony Orchestra and the St. Cloud State University Wind Ensemble. He has been a guest recitalist at Iowa State University, The MacPhail School of Music, Bethel College and St.

Cloud State University. Anderson has also performed with both the Minnesota Orchestra and the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra. He recently performed on two new CD's by the Minnesota Orchestra; Exotic Dances of the Opera and Stravinsky: The Rite of Spring.

Great Pianists Series Debuts on Public Radio

Beginning in April, the Nebraska Public Radio Network will debut Great Pianists of the 20th Century, a weekly hour-long radio series exploring the lives and talents of great pianists who have enriched this century with their music. The series will air at 8:30 p.m. on Fridays beginning April 2.

The series is based on the landmark CD edition of the same name on the Philips label. Tom Deacon, a piano enthusiast and veteran radio producer, joins host Eric Friesen in showcasing 74 pianists from the past century. Combining anecdotes, insights, facts and interviews with the recordings, Friesen and Deacon will bring each featured artist to life.

Great Pianists of the 20th Century not only represents the "crème de la creme" of the 20th century pianists, it also presents these pianists in their best-recorded repertoire. Friesen said that Deacon, who also produced the CDs, drew on his own vast collection of recordings of about 45,000 titles and his knowledge of piano to create the repertoire for the Philips CD series.

Pianists featured in April include Wilhelm Kempff (April 2), known for his performances of Beethoven, Mozart, Schubert, Schumann and Brahms; Jorge Bolet and Shura Cherkassky (April 9); and Van Cliburn (April 16), the most famous American pianist of this century. His Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto was the first million-selling recording in the history of music.

The series will continue with Rosalyn Tureck (April 23), a respected Bach scholar who was the first woman to conduct the New York Philharmonic, and Martha Argerich (April 30), known as much for her temperament as for her virtuosity, who attracts other pianists in hordes to her concerts.

Great Pianists of the 20th Century is produced by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation with Philips Music Group, and presented in the United States by Minnesota Public Radio and distributed by Public Radio International.

The Nebraska Public Radio Network broadcasts on the following frequencies: Alliance/91.1 FM; Bassett/90.3 FM; Chadron/91.9 FM; Columbus/90.3 FM; Falls City/91.7 FM; Harrison/89.5 FM; Hastings/Grand Island/89.1 FM; Lexington/88.7 FM; Lincoln/90.9 FM; Max/93.3 FM; McCook/92.7 FM; Merriman/91.5 FM; Norfolk/89.3 FM and North Platte/91.7 FM.

BACKYARD FARMER'S GALAXY OF STARS (clockwise from top): John Watkins, Reggi Carlson, Don Steinegger, Roch Gaussoin and Fred Baxendale.

Backyard Farmer Launches 46th Season in April

Backyard Farmer is going live this season.

Once a month, program panelists will answer live calls about gardens, lawns, landscapes, trees and shrubs.

Now in its 46th year, the hour-long program will air 7 p.m. Tuesdays, April 6-Aug. 31 on Nebraska Educational Television Network. It also will be rebroadcast on Educable at 9 p.m. Thursdays, and 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Fridays, said Brad Mills, program producer and media specialist for the University of Nebraska's Communications and Information Technology unit.

Live, on-air calls will be taken April 20, May 18, June 15, July 13 and Aug. 17.

Backyard Farmer is a gardening question-and-answer show hosted by NU Cooperative Extension specialists Fred Baxendale, Roch Gaussoin, Don Steinegger and John Watkins. NETV's Reggi Carlson moderates the panel. It also features two video segments demonstrating water conservation, pest management and other how-to ideas. These segments come from Nebraska counties where local master gardeners can field questions from area gardeners.

Topics presented by Cooperative Extension educators include reducing gardening strain, rainwater conservation, garden and soil preparation, community trees, strawberry production and herb gardening.

NU specialists also will cover spring pruning, genetics, small trees, how to send in samples and renewing old landscapes. Mills said these topics will emphasize research being done at NU's Institute of agriculture and Natural Resources.

Outdoor Nebraska Airs on April Fool's Day

A water-powered mill, tips on snakebite first aid and a profile of a world champion bird carver will be featured this week on Outdoor Nebraska. The outdoor news magazine series at 7:30 p.m. April 1 and repeats at 8 a.m. April 3 airs on the statewide Nebraska ETV Network. The program is also broadcast on EduCable* at 2:30 p.m. April 4.

In the first feature, Champion Mill State Historical Park in Champion is the site of the state's last functional water-powered mill. This piece of history stands as a symbol of the agricultural settlement and development of Nebraska. In the "Wilderness Workshop segment," Dick Turpin offers viewers a tip on how to keep better track of fishing lures that aren't in use.

Outdoor Nebraska caught some great footage looking over the shoulder of several successful anglers at Louisville State Recreation Area during last year's Free Fishing and Free Park Entry Day. This year's free day will be May 22. In the "Nature Walk" segment, E.M.T. Geoff Talmon will pass along some fast action first aid advice regarding snakebites.

The "Nebraskaland Moment" profiles world champion bird carver Phil Galatas of Humboldt. Except for lack of any bird song or screeching sounds, Galatas' carvings are detailed mimics of birds in the wild. Some of his works are on display at Kearney's Museum of Nebraska Art through April 11.