"Mother's love perceives no impossibilities"...remember Mom on Mother's Day, May 8th

Mother's Day is Sunday, May 8th...find her something she will cherish forever from J.R. Kortman Center for Design. Below are some photos of gift ideas for your special Mom.
1. Art glass heart by Robert Held 2. "Oh Watch" by Michael Graves 3. Original artwork by Jennifer Mullin 4. Aluminum & stainless steel necklace by Solange 5. Acrylic photo frame 6. Turquoise & pearl necklace 7. "Anna" corkscrew by Alessi 8. Handmade fantasy flower by Lyndie Dourthe 9. "Heart" soft sculpture by Lyndie Dourthe 10. Blown glass heart by Robert Eickholt 11. "Ballerina" pen by Pylones 12. Ceramic & horsehair calligraphy brush 13. "Kim" the talking clock 14. Buddhist Lotus temple candles 15. Beaded art by Betsy Youngquist 16. Assorted freshwater pearl jewelry 17. Art glass by Robert Burch 18. Treasured gifts 19. More treasured gifts

 

 

"Scale: LARGE & small" exhibition @ Kortman and Prairie Street Galleries

     Size does matter. Just think of how powerful a large scale piece of art can be...such as Liberman's "Symbol" along the Rock River...it can create excitement, a sense of place, and even controversy. Then think of how intimate and personal a small painting can be. What is even more fascinating to consider is to see the same imagery in different scale. We will react differently to a small painting than we do to LARGE painting even if the image is the same. Artist John Deill said that several years ago he painted a small nude and everyone told him it was such a neat little painting. So he decided to paint the same nude on a large canvas. The reaction was entirely different. Some people were even shocked by the image!
So, we thought we would explore the impact that scale has not only on art, but also on the viewer. Some pieces in the exhibition both LARGE & small have the exact same images. Other works feature the same image concept but presented in a different scale. In the Kortman Galley you will see the small scale works by some of the Rockford area's leading artists. The LARGE scale versions can be seen at the Prairie Street Gallery. Feel free to photograph the works at each gallery...see and feel how different scale affects each of these intriguing works of art.
DETAILS: Below are photo details of each of the pieces in the Kortman Gallery show which is not only on exhibit ArtScene weekend, but also Monday through Saturday, 10am to 6pm through May 15th. Come, see and enjoy the full images in the Kortman Gallery.

The art of Roland Poska and music from Keith Grace's iPod this First Friday @ J.R. Kortman

This First Friday Kortman Gallery is presenting Roland Poska's remarkable lithographs, hand printed from stone. Mr. Poska's exihibiton is the official beginning of "The (Great) Human Race Initiative," an art and philosophical project that he has been promoting for more than 30 years. Stop by and meet Mr. Poska and sign his prints to show support for his noble mission. The store will be open 'til 9 and the gallery will stay open even later. Dennis Horton will be hosting the Gallery Bar and we will be revealing the music playlist from the iPod of Rockford artist and graphic designer Keith Grace.

 

 

St. Pat's parade marches by J.R. Kortman on Sat. March 12. See it with Irish cheer from the Kortman Gallery Bar!

For the first time in more than 30 years the St. Patrick's Day Parade will march down Main Street...and pass right by J.R.Kortman Center for Design. We will have some tables out in front where you can relax over an Irish beer or (if it's too cold) you can watch the parade from upstairs in the Kortman Gallery. Our favorite leprechaun bartender Dennis Horton will be on hand to man the Kortman Gallery Bar. And, of course, you can shop for cool green things in the store which will be open 'til 6pm on Saturday. You can also see work by one of our favorite "Irish-Italian" artists, Jennifer Mullin on exhibit now through March 15th in the Kortman Gallery. An rud a lionas an tsuil lionann se an croi!

 

 

This First Friday @ J. R. Kortman see colorful art by Jennifer Mullin, Mike LaLoggia tending bar, and music from Dan Minick's iPod

This Friday, March 4th, is another First Friday, Downtown and @ J.R. Kortman Center for Design & Gallery...see the colorful works by Jennifer Mullin, relax over a drink served up by Michael LaLoggia tending the Kortman Gallery Bar, and groove to music revealed from Dan Minick's iPod...."What's on your iPod?"™ Always fun on First Friday! See you here!

 

"What's on Dan's iPod?" Michael will keep your drink fresh!

 

 

Kortman Gallery presents artist Jennifer Mullin opening First Friday, February 4th featuring music from Anne O'Keefe's ipod & Dennis Horton tending bar...

Jennifer Mullin Creates Comfortable Places with Collage for Kortman Gallery

Rockford artist Jennifer Mullin looks through magazines and is inspired by the home furnishings she sees. The found images become elements in her delicate and comfortable interiors she creates in her small-scale works opening Friday, February 4th in the Kortman Gallery.
The exhibition titled “In My Place” features mixed-media new works by Mullin created with collage and pencil drawings resulting in colorful and seductive images of interior spaces.
I love flipping through those glossy magazine pages in search of eye-catching colors and patterns,” says Mullin. “The creation of comfortable space has developed as an underlying thread in all of my work.  Within the confines of each piece, I aim to create a beautiful place that I would enjoy spending time in.”
Kortman Gallery director Doc Slafkosky says the small pieces are perfect for this time of the year. “Her charming and warm images are a cozy contrast to the cold, harsh winter weather,” said Slafkosky. “And these sweet and endearing art works are available just in time for Valentine’s Day.”
Mullin is a 1998 graduate of the University of Wisconsin Madison and currently teaches art at Boylan High School.
The opening reception for  Jennifer Mullin’s “In My Place” will be from 5:30 to 9:00pm on Friday, February 4th in the Kortman Gallery, located upstairs at J.R. Kortman Center for Design, 107 North Main Street, Downtown Rockford. For more information call 815/968-0123 or visit www. jrkortman.com. 
What: “In My Place” an exhibition of works by Jennifer Mullin
Where: Kortman Gallery, upstairs at J.R.Kortman Center for Design, 107 North Main, Downtown Rockford
When: Opening reception, Friday, February 4th, 5:30pm-9:00pm. Gallery open Monday–Saturday, 10 to 6pm. Exhibition runs through March 19th, 2011. Free admission. 
Information: 815-968-0123 or www.jrkortman.com
February 4th is also First Friday...Dennis Horton will be doing his bartending thing @ the Kortman Gallery Bar and we will revealing music from Anne O'Keefe's iPod! "What's on your iPod?"
To see images of the Jennifer Mulin exhibition click on "Current Show" option to the left under Kortman Gallery on the J. R. Kortman website.

J. R. Kortman presents artifacts & gifts influenced by Frank Lloyd Wright and Alexander Liberman

      Rockford's "Symbol," by internationally celebrated artist Alexander Liberman, soars in Sinnissippi Park along the east bank of the Rock River inspiring all who drive, bike, or walk by. This exciting piece of art is now available in a miniature 2-D metal "replica" which is not only a great souvenir, but can be used as a bookend, votive stand, or expressive decorative object.
     The small-scaled "Symbol", which also comes as an ornament, was designed by J.R. Kortman along with artist Ben Pettee who manufactured each piece in his North Main Street studio here in Rockford. The large "bookend" version is $20 and the small "voitve" one is $10. Our store window features these sweet little "Symbols" with an original maquette which was created by Mr. Liberman and sold as a fundraiser for the this world class sculpture. The maqeutte is on loan to J.R. Kortman courtesy of Roland & Louise Poska.
    Probably the most influential architect of the last century was Frank Lloyd Wright. J. R. Kortman celebrates his great design genius with a range of products from pottery to neck ties.  A replica of "Flower in the Crannied Wall" statue designed by Wright and Richard Bock in 1902 for the Susan Lawrence Dana House in Springfield, Illinois is availble for $125. The distinctive pottery is made right here in Illinois at the Haeger Pottery Company in East Dundee.
     Lego fans will find the "Falling Water" and Guggenheim Museum kits both challenging and rewarding. And a "Concretus" paperweight ($32) will add a sophisticated accent to any desk top or coffee table. J.R. Kortman Center for Design...always fascinating.