Museum of Art Oct. 16, 1997 Contact Heather Brown (541) 346-0942 or John R. Crosiar 346-3135 EUGENE--More than 100 nationally recognized photographers--including Edna Bullock, Dan Burkholder and Brian Lanker--are donating prints for the Photography at Oregon (PAO) Committee's 22nd Annual Auction Exhibition opening Wednesday, Oct. 22. The photographs, ranging from figure studies to assemblages to landscapes, will be on display through Nov. 22 at the University of Oregon Museum of Art, 1430 Johnson Lane. On Sunday, Nov. 23, the donated prints will be auctioned to support photography exhibitions and programs at the Museum of Art. Prints will go on display at noon in the Alumni Lounge of Gerlinger Hall, 1468 University St. on campus, and bidding will begin at 1 p.m. "The Photography at Oregon auction has become an institution," says Susie Morrill, who chairs the Photography at Oregon Committee. "The continual contribution these photographers offer every year to this program is an incredible demonstration of support. We are one of the only groups specifically dedicated to the medium of photography. Because of this exhibition and auction, for 22 years the university, the Eugene community and the Northwest region have been able to enjoy and experience a comprehensive and diverse photographic experience. We are truly honored and greatly appreciate the many photographers who have donated their work in support of this program." This year, the exhibition and auction will feature 132 prints donated by some of the nation's most well-known contemporary photographers including Ruth Bernhard, Edna Bullock, Dan Burkholder, Christopher Burkett, Martha Casanave, Bernard Freemesser (who started PAO), Brian Lanker, Dennis Purdy, Scott Weston and Shedrich Williames. Since 1966, the Photography at Oregon Committee has joined with the UO Museum of Art to promote photography, bringing contemporary and historical photography exhibitions to the university. The financial support generated by the PAO exhibition and auction directly fund photography exhibitions and programs including the museum's current exhibition "Water: The Renewable Metaphor." Accessible to people with disabilities, the UO Museum of Art is open from noon-8 p.m. Wednesday and noon-5 p.m. Thursday through Sunday. Suggested admission donation is $3, but MusEvenings! are free from 5-8 p.m. Wednesdays. The UO Museum of Art's 1997-98 exhibitions and programs are supported in part by a grant from the Oregon Arts Commission and the National Endowment for the Arts. For more information about the Photography at Oregon auction exhibition, call (541) 346-3027. A taped message about current museum exhibitions and events also is available 24 hours a day by calling GuardLine from a Touch-Tone phone at 485-2000, ext. 5665, or visit the UO Museum of Art's Internet web site at <http://uoma.uoregon.edu>. -30- #P-2033/A&E