Rockford artist Valerie Olafson revisits the theme of beauty and aging in a photography exhibition opening Friday, April 16th in the Kortman Gallery. The exhibition of striking black and white images titled “50 Parts, MMX” is a photographic essay that expands on the ideas of “mMMm Beauty,” a previous Kortman Gallery show that was presented in 2000 when Olafson was 40.
“In that exhibit, I sought to produce my vision of beauty for the new millennium..life, experience and knowledge,” said Olafson. “My friends stepped in front of the camera to help visually make my point.”
At 50, Olafson expected to revisit and expand the ideas in “mMMm Beauty.’’ “What evolved was an introspective look at me and the beauty I find in myself,” she writes. “I have included some images of friends again; the definition would have been too narrow otherwise. Aging is not always perfect, but is always beautiful.”
Olafson, who has been artist/photographer for almost two decades, is an adjunct instructor of art at Rock Valley College.
The Spring ArtScene openings for “50 Parts, MMX” exhibit are April 16th from 5:00pm to 9:00pm and Saturday, April 17th from 3:00pm to 9:00pm in the Kortman Gallery, upstairs at J.R. Kortman Center for Design, 107 North Main Street, Downtown Rockford. The exhibit runs through May 31st. and admission is free and open to the public. For more in formation call 815/968-0123 or visit www. jrkortman.com.
What: “50 Parts, MMX” exhibition of photography by Valerie Olafson
Where: Kortman Gallery, upstairs at J.R.Kortman Center for Design, 107 North Main, Downtown Rockford
When: Opening Spring ArtScene receptions, Friday, April 16th, 5:00pm-9:00pm and Saturday, April 17th, from 3:00pm to 9:00pm. Gallery open Monday–Saturday, 10am–6pm. Exhibition runs through May 31, 2010. Free admission.
Information: 815-968-0123 or www.jrkortman.com
To see images of Valerie Olafson's "50 Parts, MMX" photography exhibit click on "Current Show" under Kortman Gallery to the left of the screen.
"Curse? There Ain't No Stinking Chicago Cub Curse", a book of thought provoking and humorous stories about sports and the games people play, is now for sale at J. R. Kortman with a limited amount of signed copies available.
Kyle Wolfe @ Kortman Gallery
Above: "Superman" & "Midway Theater" by Kyle Wolfe
Kyle Wolfe Exhibits Digital Works
in the Kortman Gallery
Graphic design, digital technology, and the unusual creative approach by Rockford artist Kyle Wolfe result in intriguing and extraordinarily visual art to be presented in an exhibition in the Kortman Gallery. The exhibit, which opens Friday, March 19th is titled “A Thousand Words” in reference to how the images are created. Wolfe generates his colorful images by hand writing words which become small fragments of the complete picture.
“My work continues to evolve from a process of using words to create visual forms, says Wolfe. “The words applied are representations of my consciousness at the given moment of creation. This ‘hands-on’ approach challenges the limits of digital art.”
Kortman gallerist Doc Slafkosky says seeing the work is the best way to understand the technique. “Hand-created digital art sounds like an oxymoron, but the beautiful, iconic graphic images are literally created by Kyle’s handwriting,” said Slafkosky. “’A Thousand Words’ is such an appropriate title for this show, since seeing the actual art work visually explains the process, more than words can.”
The opening for the Kyle Wolfe exhibit on March 19th is from 5:30pm to 9:00pm in the Kortman Gallery, upstairs at J.R. Kortman Center for Design, 107 North Main Street, Downtown Rockford. Admission is free and open to the public. The opening is in conjunction with “It’s Our Time,” a group exhibiton at North Main Sudios, 2500 North Main Street. For more in formation call 815/968-0123 or visit www. jrkortman.com.
What: “A Thousand Words” exhibition of digital art by Kyle Wolfe
Where: Kortman Gallery, upstairs at J.R.Kortman Center for Design, 107 North Main, Downtown Rockford
When: Opening reception, Friday, March 19th, 5:30pm-9:00pm. Gallery open Monday–Saturday, 10am–6pm. Exhibition runs through April 13th, 2010.
Free admission. In conjuction with “It’s Our Time” exhibition at North Main Studios
Information: 815-968-0123 or www.jrkortman.com
To see images of Kyle's work click on the "Current Show" option under Kortman Gallery to the left of the screen.
"Crow on a line" & "Fly on the Wall"
"So What?" featuring R. Sott Long
To see images and more information on R. Scott Long's exhibition click on the "Current Show" option under Kortman Gallery to the left.
In celebration of the New Year, J.R. Kortman Center for Design & Gallery will be closed January 1 thru 3. Hope everyone has a great Twenty-Ten! We will resume regular hours on Monday, January 3rd: Mon.–Sat. 10am to 6pm.
On Friday, December 18th at approximately 7:35am Main Street opened to traffic for the first time in 34 years, with Mayor Morrissey and his father in the first car, Alderman Mark in the second car, and Doc Slafkosky, Jerry Kortman, and Chris Wachowiak in the third car. Here is video of that moment.
The shopping season is in full gear and here are some photos to help you find some gift ideas. At J. R. Kortman you can shop in an urban setting without the chaotic hassles of the malls.
