Work of 8 Landscape Architecture Firms on Tap for St. Louis Gallery of Architecture

The ''Material Landscapes'' exhibit will include such projects as the recently completed Erie Street Plaza in Milwaukee, landscape architecture by Stross Landscape Urbanism.

The Sheldon Art Galleries presents ''Material Landscapes,'' June 17, 2011 through January 21, 2012 in the Bernoudy Gallery of Architecture in St. Louis. The work of eight award-winning landscape architecture firms will be featured in the exhibition, including project photographs and drawings. The projects emphasize use of materials that critically engage contemporary landscape architectural design.

The eight firms are:

This show continues the dialogue on landscape architecture established by recent initiatives in the St. Louis area, such as the international design competition to reshape the area surrounding the Gateway Arch, the creation of Citygarden, the renovation of the Old Post Office Plaza, and the launch of a new Master of Landscape Architecture program at Washington University in St. Louis.

The exhibition is commissioned by the Sheldon Art Galleries and curated by Liane Hancock, senior lecturer and co-director of the Materials Resource Center in the Sam Fox School of Design & Visual Arts at Washington University.

Financial assistance for this exhibit is provided by the Missouri Arts Council. Support also comes from the Regional Arts Commission and the Arts and Education Council.

Sheldon Art Galleries, founded in 1998, is in the Emerson Galleries Building in St. Louis' Grand Center district. There are rotating exhibits in six galleries: photography, architecture, St. Louis artists and collections, jazz history and children's art. Artwork is also featured in the Sculpture Garden.

A gallery opening reception for the landscape architecture exhibit takes place Friday, June 17 from 5 - 7 p.m. Admission is free to the gallery. For more information visit www.thesheldon.org/galleries.asp.