EUGENE–The University of Oregon Museum of Art will continue its popular semimonthly series of programs this spring and early summer about the art of collecting for the serious and not-so-serious collector.

Beginning April 26 and continuing twice a month through July 5, "Art á la Carte!" will feature guest presenters who will share their experience and expertise with audiences of beginning to expert collectors. The series, which debuted in January, will draw upon artists, gallery operators, art dealers and private collectors to provide a number of different perspectives about the art of collecting.

Each presentation will include a brief talk or panel discussion followed by a hands-on session in which audience members will be able to see up-close, and perhaps handle, examples of various art objects from the Museum of Art collection or the collections of the presenters.

Added to the series this spring are several day trips to Portland to tour collections, studios and galleries there.

Admission to individual "Art á la Carte!" sessions in Eugene is $10 for the general public or $7 for UO Museum of Art members. Reservations are recommended.

Ticket prices vary for the Portland trips, and reservations are required. To reserve a seat, call (541) 346-0967.

Opening the spring series will be an introduction to "Oriental Rug Collecting" from 7—9 p.m. on Thursday, April 26, in the auditorium at Sacred Heart Medical Center, 1255 Hilyard St.

Jim Antonini and Brian Marantette of Atiyeh Brothers, Inc., in Eugene, will discuss the history of hand-knotted oriental rugs and define the difference between antique and modern rugs. In addition, they will point out things to consider when beginning a collection of oriental rugs and suggest where to find collectable rugs.

A selection of rugs will be on display.

Other "Art á la Carte!" sessions and presenters during Spring and early Summer 2001 include:

• May 10: "Prints and Printmaking" with members of the Eugene Print Circle, from 7—9 p.m. in the Sacred Heart Medical Center auditorium.

• May 25: Travel to Portland by motor coach to view the Schnitzer Corporate Collection of contemporary Northwest and American prints, paintings and sculptures. Departure will be at 10 a.m. from a location to be determined, with lunch at the Paragon Restaurant in the Pearl District followed by the tour. Tickets, including lunch, are $55 for the general public and $45 for art museum members.

• June 8: Travel to Portland by motor coach for a factory tour and demonstration at the Bullseye Glass Works. Departure will be at 8 a.m. from a location to be determined. An optional hands-on workshop requiring pre-registration is scheduled at the factory. Tickets for the tour and demonstration are $60 for the general public and $50 for art museum members. The cost of the tour and workshop is $140 for the general public and $125 for art museum members.

• June 21: "Musical Instruments in 17th Century Italian and Flemish Paintings" features a performance of period music for violin and cello by musicologist Marc Vanscheeuwijck and master violin maker David Kerr. This session is set for 7—9 p.m. in Beall Concert Hall, 961 E. 18th Ave.

• July 5: Travel to Portland by motor coach for gallery hopping in the Pearl District. Take part in Portland’s First Thursday walking tour of the city’s hottest galleries. See "MFA 2001," the university’s Master of Fine Arts exhibit at the Pacific Northwest College of Art, 1241 N.W. Johnson. Departure will be at 3 p.m. from a location to be determined. Tickets are $45 for the general public and $40 for art museum members.

The art museum building is closed to prepare for a $12 million major construction project that will renovate and modernize the museum’s public spaces, galleries and support areas and more than double the size of the existing 68-year-old building. The building will re-open in the spring of 2003.

The University of Oregon Museum of Art is a nonprofit state institution supported by the generosity of its membership and in part by grants from the Oregon Arts Commission and the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency. Operating funds also are provided in part by the Horton, Museum of Art, Culp, Krause, McCosh and Autzen endowments.

For information, browse <http://uoma.uoregon.edu/> or call (541) 346-3027.

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