LINCOLN, NE.- Sheldon Museum of Art at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln will present its 2009-10 Sheldon Statewide exhibition, "Divine Abstractions: Spiritual Expressions in Art," at a First Friday opening reception 5 to 7 p.m. May 1 at the Sheldon, 12th and R streets. On view at Sheldon through Aug. 2, the exhibition presents evolving portrayals of the divine and explores the impetus to fuse the sacred, art and the new realities of science.

At the reception, beginning at 5:30 p.m., Sheldon Statewide curator Susan Soriente will present an informal gallery talk about the exhibition and some of the artworks and artists who are represented. A catalog with an essay about the exhibition will also be available.

The exhibition includes 21 paintings, prints, photographs and sculptures from Sheldon's permanent collection. Among the featured artists are Josef Albers, Hans Arp, Corita Kent, Gustave Baumann, Helen Lundeberg and Salvador Dali.

Beginning Aug 25 in Chadron and running through July 9, 2010, the "Divine Abstractions" exhibition will travel to nine Nebraska communities across the state. Educational opportunities will include interpretive materials designed for adults and children and docent training. The schedule is:

* Aug. 25-Sept. 28 -- Chadron State College.

* Sept. 30-Oct. 29 -- McKinley Education Center, North Platte.

* Oct. 31 to Nov. 30 -- Museum of the High Plains, McCook.

* Jan. 5 to Feb. 5 -- Cornerstone Bank, York.

* Feb. 6-March 5 -- Columbus Art Gallery.

* March 6-April 4 -- Concordia University Gallery, Seward.

* April 6-May 4 -- Morton-James Public Library, Nebraska City.

* May 6-June 7 -- Library and Arts Center, Stalder Gallery, Falls City.

* June 9-July 9 -- West Nebraska Arts Center, Scottsbluff.

This exhibition is organized by Sheldon Statewide, an outreach program of the Sheldon Museum of Art, the Sheldon Art Association and UNL. It is made possible by the support of the Sheldon Art Association, the Nebraska Arts Council, Farmers Mutual Insurance Co. of Nebraska, James and Rhonda Seacrest and Lonnie Pierson Dunbier.