EUGENE–Kristy Edmunds, founding director and curator of the Portland Institute of Contemporary Art (PICA), will give a free lecture at 6 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 15, in Room 115 of Lawrence Hall, 1190 Franklin Blvd. at the University of Oregon.

Her talk about contemporary art in the Northwest is presented in conjunction with the Museum of Art’s current exhibition, "18 Points of View," which showcases artworks by UO fine and applied arts faculty members. The exhibition opens Oct. 2 and continues through Jan. 2, 2000.

Edmunds was hired in 1990 as curator of performance art at the Portland Art Museum. In 1994, she left that post to found the Portland Institute of Contemporary Art. PICA encompasses programs in all art disciplines and is dedicated to advancing significant developments in experimental contemporary art by regional, national and international artists.

The institute recently became one of 12 national "hub sites" which comprise the leadership for the National Dance Project. This fall, PICA launched a $4 million capital campaign that will enable the institute to continue to be a leading center for artistic expression, inventiveness and creativity.

As both an artist and a curator, Edmunds has been a leading advocate for furthering innovative and provocative contemporary art in the Northwest and nationally. She has received numerous grants and awards for her work as an artist in various disciplines and is represented by the Elizabeth Leach Gallery in Portland.

Edmunds is the recipient of the 1998/1999 Freedom of Expression Award, given by the Oregon chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union.

Accessible to people with disabilities, the Museum of Art is open from noon to 8 p.m. Wednesday and from noon to 5 p.m. Thursday through Sunday. Suggested admission is $3, except on Wednesdays when the MusEvenings! program offers free programming, refreshments and extended viewing hours from 5—8 p.m. Museum members, students with ID, UO employees and children are admitted free.

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

—30—

#P-2064/A&E