Nestor's idea - to exhibit artworks by faculty from the art academies in Zagreb, Croatia; Ljubljana, Slovenia, and Sarajevo, Bosnia, and Herzegovina - was large in scope and optimistic in its nature.

"It was a good idea," said Nestor, a sculpture professor at IUP, "it just hadn't been led or developed before."

Nestor's idea became a reality on Sept. 10 when New Works/New Europe opened to the public at the University Museum.

The initial response to Nestor's idea came quickly, and he was able to establish contacts in Zagreb and Ljubljana and, upon returning to IUP, found Michael Hood, dean of fine arts, and Vaughn Clay, art department chair, to be supportive.  These relationships also helped create formal student exchanges in art and, eventually, music.

"Previously, I had tried to create a similar relationship with educational institutions in Japan, but our funding fell through," said Nestor.

"I learned from that situation that cultural understanding was the hard part in most circumstances.  Despite finances or complications, I think I learned it is better to keep such relationships moving forward, to do whatever to sustain them."

In the case of New Works/New Europe, this required Nestor to travel to the academies and meet most of the artists who will be exhibiting.  The impact of his travels and the dialogues he head with the artists and students has impressed Nestor with what viewers will learn from seeing these works.

"This is not a useful standard with which to judge a life."

Nestor hopes the exhibit will not only cause viewers to reflect on the differences between Central Europe and the United States, but also to discover each country.

"It's tough here in America to understand that these are three different countries, three independent entities, each a very important part of a new Europe," said Nestor.

The show's selection includes more than 20 artists representing different religions, different generations, different nationalities, and different approaches to art.

"The unifying element is their relation to their academies, their passion for art and their role as teachers."

By viewing artwork and seeking out artists' similarities and distinctions, museum-goers are participating in global interaction, said Nestor.

"This isn't buzz words, but actual places and actual people.  It is a small exchange that breaks down stereotypes.

"I hope the exhibit can vitalize a few people, create new directions for artists in Europe, open up a path for artists and intellectuals in America," said Nestor.

Catching himself in his eagerness, he tried to apologize, to downplay his intensity: "Not create a path, but widen one.  We're not doing anything unique, we're just one of many interactions and exchanges necessary."

"On one hand, it's just an art show.  On the other, it's a compilation, an evolution of lives.  Personally, I think of it as a kind of marking place."