Posted on August 16, 2001 at 10:26 a.m.

BIRMINGHAM, AL — Janice Kluge, chairwoman of the UAB Department of Art and Art History, announced Tuesday that Brett Levine has been selected as director/curator of the UAB Visual Arts Gallery. He succeeds Toni Nordan, who retired in June after nearly 15 years as curator of the gallery and 25 years at UAB.

Levine comes to UAB from New Zealand, where he was curator and team leader of art collections at Dowse Art Museum in Lower Hutt, New Zealand. Levine received his master’s degree in arts administration from the University of New South Wales in Sydney, Australia. He received a graduate diploma from Australian National University in Canberra, Australia, and his bachelor’s degree from the University of South Alabama in Mobile.

Kluge said it’s been a pleasure working with Levine as he prepares for the gallery’s opening August 24.

“He’s got so many innovative ideas about exhibition and scheduling. Brett has an arts administration background, and he is working on all of the art projects in the department. He wants to be a part of everything,” Kluge said.

“He is so impressed by the Birmingham community and the support of the arts in Birmingham. He’s really excited to be here”

The gallery opens its new season August 24 with an exhibition of the George and Helen Spelvin Folk Art Collection, a parody of contemporary folk art, curated by Tennessee artist, professor and parodist Beauvais Lyons. The show runs through Sept. 28 at the gallery, 900 13th Street South. Admission is free. A reception and gallery tour with Lyons will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, September 14. The public is invited.

Gallery hours have changed. New gallery hours are 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday; and 1 to 5 p.m. on Saturday. The gallery is closed on Sunday. For information, please call (205) 934-0815.