NEW AT THE LIBRARY

Picnic Day: 1909-2009 — Photographs and ephemera highlighting nearly a century of Picnic Day. It started on May 22, 1909, with a "Dedication Basket Picnic," said to have been suggested by Mrs. Carolee Shields, to honor the opening of North Hall, the first dormitory on the campus of what was then called the University Farm. Picnic Day has since become the annual open house for the campus and has grown into one of the largest student-run events in the United States, with recent attendance averaging around 50,000 people. Through April 24, lobby, Shields Library. (This year's Picnic Day is set for April 18.)

OTHER EXHIBITIONS

The African American Journey Towards Freedom and Equality, 1619-2009: A Tale Told in Black and White — Books, pamphlets and documents from the African American History Collection and other research collections that are housed in the university library’s Special Collections Department. Lobby, Shields Library. Hours: 7:30 a.m.-midnight Monday-Thursday, 7:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday, noon-6 p.m. Saturday and noon-midnight Sunday. Telephone: (530) 752-6561.

Ancestors in Captivity — Photos of a 2007 protest at UC Berkeley, in connection with the controversy involving the university’s Phoebe A. Hearst Museum of Anthropology and the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act. Through March 13, Hart Hall lobby. This is a FLASH! exhibition presented by the C.N. Gorman Museum. Curated by Alapay Flores and Stephanie Studebaker.

Creative Expression of the Connections Between Art and Science — Juried exhibition co-sponsored by the UC Davis Art-Science Fusion Program and the Pence Gallery. March 10- April 12, Pence Gallery, 212 D St., Davis. Reception and awards ceremony, 7 p.m. March 13, with early admission at 6 p.m. for gallery members.

Ideals — Personal propaganda posters and carved fashion figurines by Jan Garrison, Craft Center coordinator. Through March 13, Craft Center Gallery. Hours: 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday-Sunday. Telephone: (530) 752-3096.

One Tract Mind — Mixed-media exhibition examining tract housing’s effect on native communities in Southern California, by Gerald Clarke Jr. of the Cahuilla Band of Indians. Through March 13, C.N. Gorman Museum, first floor, Hart Hall. Hours: noon-5 p.m. Monday-Friday and 2-5 p.m. Sunday. Telephone: (530) 752-6567.

Out in Space: Sculptures, Drawings, Paintings by Dave Lane — The Sacramento artist uses found industrial and agricultural machinery from the 19th and 20th centuries, transforming the steel into works that embody his vision of how the universe is organized. Through March 8, Nelson Gallery, 124 Art Building. Hours: 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday and 2-5 p.m. Sunday. Telephone: (530) 752-8500.

Selections from the Collection: Frank Van Sloun, American realist painter associated with the Ash Can School of New York, early 20th century — From the UC Davis Fine Art Collection. Through April 19, Buehler Alumni and Visitors Center, Old Davis Road at Mrak Hall Drive. Hours: 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday. Telephone: (530) 754-9195.

subject/verb/object: work by Simon Johnston — A look at the nature of visible language Also: some of Johnston’s commissioned design work, in publications for leading artists and cultural institutions. Through March 8, Design Museum, 145 Walker Hall. Hours: noon-4 p.m. Monday-Friday and 2-4 p.m. Sunday. Telephone: (530) 752-6150.

The University Library: Building a Foundation — Centennial exhibition. Lobby, Shields Library. Hours: 7:30 a.m.-midnight Monday-Thursday, 7:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday, noon-6 p.m. Saturday and noon-midnight Sunday. Telephone: (530) 752-6561.

Works by Bruce Conner, San Francisco beat artist — Prints that have not been exhibited by the Nelson Gallery in 16 years, plus a never-before-seen assemblage. Through March 8, Nelson Entryway Gallery, 125 Art Building. Hours: 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday and 2-5 p.m. Sunday. Telephone: (530) 752-8500.