MonticelloLive

The University of Arkansas at Monticello is hosting "Fifty Years of the American Landscape," a traveling exhibit from the Arkansas Arts Center, at two campus locations now through November 27. The exhibit will be on display in the Spencer Gallery of the Fine Arts Center and in the gallery of the Taylor Library and Technology Center.

Spencer Gallery hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Hours for the Library and Technology Center gallery are Mondays from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m.; Tuesdays from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.; Wednesdays from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m.; Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and 3:30 to 6:30 p.m.; and Fridays from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m.

"Fifty Years of the American Landscape" provides an eclectic selection of 17 different artists’ views of America in the 20th century. Each piece is an individual perspective of each artist’s vision of the land and character of the country.

"Many 19th century American artists began working with landscapes as an extension of the idea that the essence of their country, the ideals and reality of what America was becoming, was reflected in the land around them," said Tom Richard, associate professor of art at UAM. "With nature as the starting point, they developed their own artistic current which distanced itself from the European tradition and established a thoroughly American viewpoint. What sets American landscapes apart is the primacy and intimacy of nature in the works."

Sponsored locally by the UAM School of Arts and Humanities, "Fifty Years of the American Landscape" is one of 15 traveling exhibitions available through the Arkansas Arts Center. All Arts Center touring programs are funded in part by the Arkansas Arts Council, an agency of the Department of Arkansas Heritage, and the National Endowment for the Arts. Other sponsors include the Wal-Mart Foundation, the Horace C. Cabe Foundation, the Stella Boyle Smith Trust, Bank of America, The Brown Foundation, Inc., of Houston, The Philip R. Jonsson Foundation, Weyerhaeuser Company Foundation, and the Arkansas Electric Cooperative Corporation.