Aug. 30, 2004

LINCOLN—“Lewis & Clark on the Great Plains: A Natural History,” an exhibition of photographs on loan from the Great Plains Art Collection, opens at Union College on the evening of Tuesday, Sept. 7 in two locations on campus: the McClelland Art Gallery in the Ortner Center and the Ella Johnson Crandall Memorial Library, 3800 S. 48^th St.
        Sponsored by the Memorial Library and the Fine Arts Divison, the 44 color photographs from the traveling collection focus on the plants, animals and landscapes initially discovered and described by Lewis and Clark on the Corps of Discovery journey in 1804-1806. The exhibit features the work of four leading nature photographers: John Ferrer, Robert Gress, Paul Johnsgard and Bob Kaul.
        Johnsgard, noted author and ornithologist, is also the guest-curator of the exhibit for the Great Plains Art Collection in Lincoln, Neb. Union College is the exhibit’s first stop on its tour of Nebraska.
        “This is a unique opportunity because it is the bicentennial of the Lewis and Clark expedition, and we wanted the Union College to be a part of that celebration,” said Sabrina Riley, Union’s library director.
        There will be an opening reception for the exhibit on Sept. 7, 7 p.m. There will be a welcome at the library where Bruce Forbes, associate professor of fine arts, will introduce the photographs.  Refreshments will follow at the Ortner Center.      
        The two locations on the Union College campus have different hours: the McClelland Art Gallery will be open daily from 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., Sept. 7-18. The Ella Johnson Crandall Memorial Library will be open Sept. 7-17 from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Friday and 1 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. on Sunday.