Janice Driesbach Appointed Director at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's Sheldon Memorial Art Gallery and Sculpture Garden (original) (raw)

Sheldon Memorial Art Gallery and Sculpture Garden

University of Nebraska

Lincoln, NE

402-472-2461

http://sheldon.unl.edu/default.html

Janice Driesbach Appointed Director at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's Sheldon Memorial Art Gallery and Sculpture Garden

Janice Driesbach, formerly Curator of Art at the Crocker Art Museum in Sacramento, CA since 1985, has assumed the position of Director at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's Sheldon Memorial Art Gallery and Sculpture Garden.

Driesbach's appointment was announced by Harvey Perlman, Interim Chancellor at the University and a member of the search committee for the position. "Janice Driesbach has a passion for the internationally significant collection at the Sheldon Gallery and we're excited about her ideas on engaging Sheldon with the rest of the university," Perlman said. "She is highly respected in the national arts community and is well positioned to carry on Sheldon's emphasis in 20th-Century American art."

As Curator, Driesbach was responsible for the Crocker's collections and exhibitions of 19th- and 20th-century (primarily American) art. She began her career as an instructor and gallery director at Creighton University in Omaha from 1976 to 1978, then worked for the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service, the Oakland (CA) Museum, and John F. Kennedy (CA) University before going to the Crocker. She twice served as Interim Director of the Crocker, most recently from March 1998 to August 1999.

Driesbach earned her bachelor's degree in art history and political science at Allegheny (PA) College and her master's in art history at the University of Iowa, where she has completed her Ph.D. coursework.

"I am honored to be selected as Director of the Sheldon Memorial Art Gallery and to be able to work with its renowned American art collections and landmark museum building," Driesbach said. "Nebraska's vision for the Sheldon many years ago is acknowledged by its masterpieces by Stuart Davis, Marsden Hartley, Robert Henri, and Edward Hopper that have earned it international acclaim. The impressive sculpture garden and recent acquisitions have extended this vision, and I look forward to continuing to develop these holdings and to increasing their appreciation as a community, national, and international resource."

"Significantly, the statewide touring exhibition program serves a broad audience throughout Nebraska, and the Sheldon has demonstrated leadership in education initiatives. I am excited about the potential the Sheldon offers for collaborative programming and partnerships within and beyond the University, and the opportunity to participate in the future development of this highly-regarded museum."

Driesbach replaced George Neubert, who left last summer to become director of the San Antonio (Texas) Museum of Art.

This page was originally published 12/16/00 in_Resource Library Magazine_. Please see Resource Library's Overview section for more information. rev. 4/27/11

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