Paper sculptors Allen and Patty Eckman will serve as the 2011 Elizabeth Rubendall Artists-in-Residence, April 19 to May 1, at the Great Plains Art Museum.

During the residency, each artist will create an original sculpture, which will become part of the museum’s permanent collection. Allen Eckman plans to create a dancer from a Great Plains tribe, while Patty Eckman will create a sculpture of Great Plains wildlife.

Visitors and school groups are invited to view and interact with the Eckmans as they work. There will be hands-on stations for visitors to experiment with their innovative cast paper media and tools.

Allen Eckman is widely recognized as “the world’s premier cast paper sculptor.” Born in South Gate, Calif., in 1946 he had his formal education completed at the Art Center College of Design in Los Angeles with a BFA in advertising and illustration in 1974.

Patty Tenneboe-Eckman is widely recognized as “wildlife’s premier cast paper sculptor.” Born in Brookings, S.D., in 1950 she had her formal education completed at the Art Center College of Design in Los Angeles with a major in illustration in 1974. Patty has a great interest in wildlife; birds and flowers in particular.

“We are ecstatic that Allen and Patty Eckman will be our Artists-in-Residence,” said Amber Mohr, curator of the museum. “Their method of cast paper sculpture is completely unique, and their finished pieces are shockingly realistic and lifelike.”

This is the fifth year that the Artist-In-Residence program has been supported by the Elizabeth Rubendall Foundation Artist-in-Residence Program Fund.

A solo exhibition of Allen Eckman’s and Patty Eckman’s artwork will be on display at the Great Plains Art Museum in conjunction with their residency. “Paper Plains: The Cast Paper Sculpture of Allen and Patty Eckman” opens April 20 and runs to May 29. A First Friday reception is 5-7 p.m., May 6.

The Eckmans will be sculpting from 10 a.m. to noon and 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays during the residency, and 1:30-5 p.m. on Sunday May 1. The museum will be closed April 24.