Neon exhibition honors memory of student

A multi-university tribute in neon to the memory of a faculty member’s son will be on display April 7-8 on Library Mall.

A biennial campus event since 1988, this year’s exhibition is dedicated to former University of Wisconsin–Madison student George Joseph Cramer, who died recently. He was the son of George M. Cramer, UW–Madison professor of art.

More than 40 neon and light installations from Wisconsin, Illinois, Minnesota and New York have been selected for the invitational exhibition. This year, UW–Madison will collaborate with the Chicago Art Institute, the Kansas City Art Institute, the Munson Williams Proctor Institute of Art in Utica, N.Y. and the Alfred University School of Art and Design in New York.

According to faculty organizer Steve Feren, who directs the UW–Madison glass lab, the exhibition will cultivate the art of light sculpture, educate the public about it and preserve its tradition for the future. He says the event will allow students to exchange ideas each other, and with professionals working in the field.

The biennial is free and open to the public. The lights go on at dusk and remain on all night both days. For more information, contact Feren at (608) 262-2963; sfferen@facstaff.wisc.edu.