DEKALB, IL.-The Northern Illinois University Art Museum will present “Examining Audubon” on display in the South Galleries of Altgeld Hall from April 8 to May 10, 2008. The public is invited to an Opening Reception on Tuesday, April 8th from 6 - 7:30 pm. Prior to the reception, be sure to join us for a first person interpretation of John James Audubon as storyteller, Brian “Fox” Ellis presents “Adventures with John James Audubon,” at 5:00 pm in Room 315 of Altgeld Hall. On Wednesday. April 23, Chicago History Museum Curator, Joy Bivens, will present “Assessing Excellence in Museum Exhibitions” in the South Galleries from 5 - 6 pm.

“Examining Audubon” considers the ways the works of John James Audubon created a bridge between art and science, and contribute to the fields of ornithology, ecology, and conservation. Gathered from collections throughout the Midwest, this exhibition includes approximately thirty prints ranging from the small octavo prints to the large elephant folio, which portrays birds, like the flamingo, life size.

Since his death, Audubon’s name has become synonymous with conservation and his images have been adopted and commercialized by numerous organizations. This exhibition also presents a sampling of these products and reproductions. “Examining Audubon” is organized by students enrolled in ART 556, “Exhibition Interpretation” of the NIU Graduate Certificate program in Museum Studies.