By Ralph Derickson

For the first time, the UK Art Museum shop is offering holiday cards. Four different cards portray works from the museum's collection, including a Paul Sawyier snow scene, an Italian Renaissance drawing, a detail from a Venetian lace tablecloth and a painting by Eastern Kentucky artist David Lucas.

Lexington, Ky. (Dec. 6, 2002) -- The University of Kentucky Art Museum will hold a holiday open house from 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 8. The museum will offer holiday treats, festive music and children's activities set against a background of inspiring art.

At 3 p.m., College of Fine Arts performing groups will present a musical collage in the Singletary Center for the Arts.

For the first time, the UK Art Museum shop is offering holiday cards. Four different cards portray works from the museum's collection, including a Paul Sawyier snow scene, an Italian Renaissance drawing, a detail from a Venetian lace tablecloth and a painting by Eastern Kentucky artist David Lucas.

Paul Sawyier's "Fading Day" portrays a snowy country lane in rich, muted colors. "Madonna and Child" by Italian artist Guido Reni (1575-1642) is a beautiful example of a late Renaissance ink drawing.

The museum's Venetian lace tablecloth is a source of many decorative details, including the winged figure featured on the holiday card. The entire ornate tablecloth is featured on another all-purpose card available at the museum.

Snowstorm in Whitesburg, Kentucky" by David Lucas, a self-taught painter from Letcher County, is one of many wonderful images from his series of coal mining paintings.

The cards are $10 for a pack of 10 cards ($8 for museum members) and are available at the museum shop or by calling 859/257-5716. To view the images of the cards and to place an order, please visit www.uky.edu/ArtMuseum/holidays.

The University of Kentucky Art Museum is open noon to 5 p.m., Tuesday through Sunday and noon to 8 p.m. on Friday; closed Monday and university holidays. Visit the museum's Web site by clicking here.

The Art Museum will also be selling the cards at a table near Starbucks in the Student Center from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the following dates: Wednesday, Dec. 11; Thursday, Dec. 12; Friday, Dec. 13; Wednesday, Dec. 18; Thursday, Dec. 19, and Friday, Dec. 20.