Sheldon Statewide 2025: Nebraska's Legacy

Since 1877, when the University of Nebraska began offering courses in art, the creative output from faculty has drawn prospective students from all over the state and beyond. Titled Nebraska’s Legacy, this exhibition features artworks spanning more than a century by former and current University of Nebraska–Lincoln professors. Ranging from paintings and sculpture to prints and photographs, the exhibition shows the history, breadth, and evolution of artistic pedagogy at the university.

Nebraska’s Legacy showcases work by early teachers, including Cora Parker and Dwight Kirsch, as well as current faculty members such as Francisco Souto, Aaron Holz, and Dana Fritz. As you walk through the exhibition, you’ll notice stylistic changes, such as the introduction of photography and the move from realism to abstraction, that correspond to developments in American art history. Another thread running through the show is Nebraska’s influence on these artists, visible in its unique landscapes and the people the artists encountered.

The Sheldon Statewide Art Exhibit is organized by Christian Wurst, associate curator for exhibitions. And sponsored by Nebraskaland Bank.