The Sheldon Museum of Art is a Philip Johnson masterpiece opened in 1963. Before even entering the building take a close look at the beautiful marble used for the building. It continues inside, even on the ceiling, where the marble surrounds gold medallions. While some have commented the museum is small, I feel it is just the right size so you can take time to study the art without being rushed or overwhelmed. If you want a large art museum, go to Chicago! Outdoors is a rambling sculpture garden, unfortunately, they were re-arranging the art in the garden when I was there, so they didn’t have any accurate maps. Photography is allowed and the museum is free. Parking at the museum is limited and difficult to find, you can park at the garage between Q, P, 11th and 12th with an entrance on 11th. I believe the first hour is free and it is only a two block walk. Definitely worth a stop for art and architecture lovers. Also good for kids with short attention spans
The Sheldon in on the campus of the University of Nebraska in Lincoln. My wife and I have visited this museum on numerous occasions, particularly for the special exhibits. Our visit, yesterday, gave us a chance to see the Gees Bend Print exhibit and to renew our appreciation of the Sheldon's permanent collection. The permanent collection is small but very representative of several periods of art from abstract modern to some fairly classical pieces. Parking is a wee bit of a problem, but it is worth one's time, if you like to look at art.
Collection never disappoints. Some staff could be more friendly towards new non-white or international visitors.
I have to remind myself that world-class art can be found in smaller museums and cities throughout the world. I've been to the Sheldon a few times now, and have found it to be calm, quiet and just a great place to visit.Within the walls of the Philip Johnson designed building is a really interesting collection - or at least on display is a small portion of a much larger collection. A good amount of the showing focuses, as it should, on Nebraska and the Prairie. But there is a great sculpture garden and many of the "great names" you will also find larger, more crowded, more famous museums.Definitely worth a visit.Also, its free!
One gallery is currently closed as they are changing exhibits. The other remaining galleries are open and have some nice artwork. They have portraits, prairies scenes, as well as modern art. Admission is free.
The building itself is worth the trip if you're interested in architecture at all. Should look familiar to those who know the Amon Carter Museum in Dallas, Texas. When I visited there was an excellent exhibit on Black Masculinity hidden in a corner - but it was great. Another thing I love about this museum is that it is so representative. There are a lot of minority & women artists represented! A lot more than usual. They have a Rothko & a Grant Wood - so it's worth the trip for that as well. Again - it's free so why not!
Their selection of art is superb for a city this size. /the museum is very well designed. If in Lincoln and like art don't miss the Sheldon!
I worked as an intern and as a docent at this museum during college. I loved it! I have been back many times since then and highly recommend it to everyone! When you go to Lincoln to attend a football game, or for any other reason, please stop at the Sheldon Museum. It's a beautiful, quiet building with great art - a wonderful collection of American art and other pieces as well. The gardens have neat sculptures too. A Jewel of Lincoln!
The Sheldon Museum of Art building is celebrating its 50th anniversary and the 125th year of collecting by the Sheldon (formerly Nebraska) Art Association. The current exhibit of selections from the museum's well known collection of American art is outstanding. The pieces selected are impressive and the didactics are well written and instructive for those interested in learning more about art history and the significance of American artists of the past and present.
We are not experts in the field of art, but we certainly enjoyed our short stop at he Sheldon Museum while on our cross-country trip to Yellowstone. Parking was a bit of a challenge with the one way streets and street-parking, but we managed to find our way. The museum was much larger than we could manage to see in the short time we had, and we especially enjoyed the large, unusual pieces in the garden outside the museum. If you do nothing else, at least walk around outside and see the sculptures.