Contact: Brad Heegel, Director of College Relations
Phone: (605) 351-3602
Fax: (605) 274-4903
www.augie.edu

January 6, 2005

Brian Leo's 'My Last Show' at Eide/Dalrymple Gallery

SIOUX FALLS - Brian F. Leo returns to Sioux Falls and the Eide/Dalrymple Gallery at Augustana College with his exhibit, "Brian F. Leo: My Last Show." The exhibit opens January 18 and runs through February 27.

A gallery reception will be held Friday, February 11, from 7:00-9:00 p.m. in the Eide/Dalrymple Gallery.

Leo first exhibited his work in Sioux Falls four decades ago. He taught at Augustana College during the 1978-1979 school year. His current exhibits features a series of 24 wood sculptures, a set of cast steel sculptures, drawings on wood shapes, and a set of new work that Leo calls "Poetry Stuff."

The series of wood sculptures represents a fictional New Mexico village, and has never been shown publicly. When asked what his "Poetry Stuff" represents, Leo said, "I'm not quite sure." But he promises to help the audience discover what the works might actually be.

Leo describes his current artwork as "grandchildren" of the pieces he showed in 1964 at the request of Robert Aldern, a major figure in South Dakota art. Leo presents the current show in honor of Aldern, and also in thanks to Carl Grupp, his friend of 45 years. Grupp, who joined the Augustana Art Department in 1969, retired at the end of the 2003-2004 school year.

Regular gallery hours are 12:00 to 5:00 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. The gallery is closed Monday.