You don't have to look out your window to see a scenic picture. Go to the Sheldon instead and see several - and enjoy some pizza, too.
Sheldon Memorial Art Gallery, 12th and R streets, will host its college night tonight from 5 to 7, inviting all University of Nebraska-Lincoln students and faculty to view its permanent collection and special exhibitions.
College night is organized by Art League, a group of students from the College of Fine Arts who inform its peers and the art community about art events in Lincoln, said Dallas Fowler, a member of Art League and student docent for the Sheldon.
"College night is basically a way for students to get exposed to the art world," said Fowler, a sophomore art major.
Students can come for free and take guided tours of the exhibitions, which led by student docents, and learn about the artwork and other events happening at the Sheldon.
"A lot of the tour is more of a discussion time, so it's fun and open to interpretation," Fowler said. "Usually it goes really well."
Tyler Weishahn, a senior natural resources major, said he was pleasantly surprised with the guided tours when he first went to college night.
"You can feel free to voice your own opinion about a piece," Weishahn said. "You don't have to know much about art - it's a pretty comfortable environment."
In addition to the tours of artwork, college night has other activities students can take advantage of, such as viewing performances, watching movies and enjoying refreshments in the lobby. It's also a chance for art students to mingle with other students in their department, Fowler said.
"It's an opportunity to get to know people in your classes or studio and sort of what they're interested in," she said.
While Fowler said many art students attend college night, many students in other majors also come to learn more about art.
"I definitely got more than just a visit out of going there," Weishahn said. "I didn't have to feel like the inferior, uneducated-about-art person."
The Sheldon exhibitions that are available tonight are the Permanent Collection: American Natives, Winter Wonderland; Prints from the collection of Norman and Judy Zlotsky; Art Farm; and The Unknown Blakelock.
Fowler said she encourages all students, non-art majors and art majors alike, to check out college night.
"The kids that come seem really interested whether they're art majors or not," she said. "So that's really cool."
heatherprice@dailynebraskan.com
