The 2009 Laurine Kimmel High School Art Exhibition showcases artwork by juniors and seniors in ten southeast Nebraska schools. Opening on Monday, March 16, at the Kimmel Harding Nelson Center for the Arts gallery in Nebraska City, the Laurine Kimmel Exhibition features a variety of works including drawings, paintings, sculpture by more than forty student/artists.

The works on exhibit are selected by art educators in the participating high schools: Auburn Public, Falls City Public, Falls City Sacred Heart, Johnson-Brock Public, Johnson County Central Public, Lourdes Central Catholic, Nebraska City Public, Pawnee City Public, Sterling Public, and Syracuse Public.

The Richard P. Kimmel and Laurine Kimmel Charitable Foundation sponsors this exhibition in memory of Laurine Kimmel, an artist and graduate of Nebraska City High School. The exhibition is made possible through the cooperation of Nebraska Educational Service Unit 4, art teachers in participating schools, and the Kimmel Harding Nelson Center for the Arts.

In addition to displaying the talent and hard work of area students, the Laurine Kimmel High School Art Exhibition offers participating schools the opportunity to apply for monetary allowances to support art education in their classrooms.

An opening reception in honor of the student/artists, their families and art teachers is open to the public on Saturday, March 21, from 1 – 3 p.m. at the gallery. The exhibition runs through Arbor Day Saturday, ending on April 25.

The Kimmel Harding Nelson Center Gallery is located at 801 3rd Corso in Nebraska City and is open Monday through Thursday from noon to 4 p.m. Appointments at other times are welcome. Both the exhibition and the reception are free, handicapped accessible, and open to the public. For more information, call 402-874-9600 or visit www.khncenterforthearts.org.