J. R. Kortman Center for Design / Kortman Gallery

Father's Day Gifts with an empahasis on great design and FUN from J.R. Kortman Center for Design

2017-06-13T21:56:09Z

Here are some great Father's Day gift ideas that Dad will enjoy for years to come!: Award winning design bottle openers,"Bottle" wine caddy, "Dear Dad" gift book with cherished quotes about being a father, espresso makers from Alessi, elegant cocktail shaker/server by Marianne Brandt from the 1920's,recycled rulers photo frame, classic & fish flasks, "Guns'n'Roses ceramic vase and skull, retro magnifying device, chair 'sculpture' from MoMA, hand-carved sandal wood figures & miniature Chinese furniture, , shot glasses/desk figures & shoe horn, robot lunch box, classic ceramic Haeger vessels by Frank Lloyd Wright, wooden robot puzzle, 4 faces of Buddha, ceramic desk robot, Alessi limited editon wine openers, and MoMA wall clock...

"Gray Areas" group exhibition opens First Friday, June 2nd in the Kortman Gallery

2017-05-29T17:19:44Z

Burpee Natural History Museum inspires Roosevelt Art Students to Create Mural, Art Exhibit in Kortman Gallery

A group of art students from Roosevelt Alternative High School have been engaged in a yearlong project that uses art to teach the scientific ideas behind human sustainability. After an inspiring tour of the Burpee Natural History Museum, the students’ artistic spirit culminated with them creating a large scale mural and other smaller pieces. These works will be featured in a Kortman Gallery exhibit titled “Gray Areas,” opening Friday, June 2nd.

“Students with an interest in art and the ability to make deeper connections were chosen to tour the Burpee Museum and find issues related to Earth Science that they were most intrigued by,” says Kyle Wolfe, art instructor at Roosevelt.

Inspired by Burpee’s Windows to Wilderness display, this group of young artists quickly began asking questions about how the environment could change if humans continue with the energy and environmental decisions they are currently making.

“Eager to express their ideas artistically, the students decided to work together to create a mural,” said art instructor Brian Hierstein. “Each of the students contributed imagery in their own artistic style in black, white, and gray, resulting in a large, exciting cohesive artwork”

Rockford artist Corey Hagberg came to Roosevelt to discuss his experiences as an artist and his time spent working with “En Masse,” a Canadian art collective, during projects in Chicago, Detroit and Florida. He worked with the students to create a background that would enhance the visual narrative the students were trying to convey.

The students sketched and planned several images and then worked together to arrange these ideas into a large scale mural.

According to Wolfe, the work represents the students’ opinions on human sustainability and where they see the world going if we continue with current policies and ideas about climate change.

“We are thrilled to show the ‘Gray Areas’ exhibition in the Kortman Gallery allowing this talented group of young artists to share their artistic vision with the general public,” says gallery director Doc Slafkosky. “Four foot sections of the the large mural will be sold, along with other student works, and a portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Burpee Natural History Museum”

Participating artists include:

Sarahi Alvarado, Seion Barbor, Armon Conner, Javier Flores, Berenice Galvan, Yael Goriono, Ashley Haley, Anthony Hunter, Stefvon Kalepp, Jasmine Knuth, Shiann Kolff, Jonathan Lane,Tyesha Rogers, Jackeline Rosales, Jumanee Smith, Michael Spiva

Opening reception for the “Gray Areas’ exhibition in the Kortman Gallery will be Friday, June 2nd, 5:30 to 9pm. It will be on display through June 30th. Kortman Gallery is located upstairs at J. R. Kortman Center for Design, 107 North Main Street in Downtown Rockford. The opening reception is free and open to the public. For more information call 815-968-0123 or visit www.jrkortman.com.

Congratulate your Graduate of the Class of '17 with a great gift from J.R. Kortman Center for Design!

2017-05-18T21:36:49Z

A great gift for Mom, this Mother's Day from J.R. Kortman Center for Design!

2017-05-07T12:08:31Z

This Mother's Day, Sunday, May 14th, take your Mom for dinner or brunch and present her with an extraordinary gift from J.R. Kortman Center for Design. It can be both practical and beautiful like a Michael Graves designed water kettle, or something elegant like a pearl necklace or hand-blown glass perfume bottle, or even a piece of original art from the Kortman Gallery. Whatever you choose she will treasure it for a lifetime since it came from you and J.R. Kortman! Open Monday - Friday, 11am to 6pm & Saturday, 11am to 5pm

J.R. Kortman Center for Design will be closed April 24-29 for vacation! We will resume normal hours starting May 1st: Monday – Friday, 11am to 6pm, and Saturday, 11am to 5pm

2017-04-23T22:05:03Z

Speleothems inspire Artist Carmen Turner’s Abstract Works in Kortman Gallery Exhibit...opening April 21st!

2017-04-15T21:11:27Z

Her subject matter is speleothems, which most people know as stalactites and stalagmites. They are sculptures of nature and they have inspired the latest works by Rockford artist Carmen Turner who will exhibit her series of abstract art for ArtScene weekend, Friday and Saturday, April 21st and 22nd in the Kortman Gallery.
   Turner, who creates her work at MainFraim studio in Rockford, has titled her exhibition, “The Space Between” in reference to her fascination with origin, shape, and formation of speleothems.
   “The goal of my collection is to capture their temporary form. I make no attempt to depict speleothems as they occur in nature, rather to use color and texture to celebrate their growth, overall shape, and the inevitable lessening of the space between.”
   “As member of the MainFraim studio, which is known for artistically repurposing historic found objects, Carmen has such a great sense of the things that are old and how they fit into an eclectic contemporary world,” says Kortman Gallery director Doc Slafkosky. “She also builds her own frames which ads authenticity to her intriguing works.”
    Opening receptions for Carmen Turner’s Spring ArtScene exhibition, “The Space Between” in the Kortman Gallery will be Friday, April 21st, 5 to 10pm and Saturday, April 22nd, 4-9pm. It will be on display through May 31st. Kortman Gallery is located upstairs at J. R. Kortman Center for Design, 107 North Main Street in Downtown Rockford. The opening receptions are free and open to the public. For more information call 815-968-0123 or visit www.jrkortman.com.

New Store & Gallery hours!...Monday to Friday 11am – 6pm, Saturday, 11am – 5pm

2017-03-31T18:42:29Z

If you haven't seen the beautiful paintings by Rockford artists JoanLee Stassi, her exhibition, "Reflections: Backward/Forward...Paintings/Prints" has been extended through April 12th. Scroll down and read more about Ms. Stassi and her intriguing works. Kortman Gallery is hosting a "closing party" for JoanLee's show on First Friday, April 7th from 6-10pm, (maybe even later) featuring Dennis Horton tending the Kortman Gallery Bar!

And don't forget our new Store & Gallery hours are Monday to Friday 11am – 6pm and Saturday 11am – 5pm!

The Sea & Primitive Cultures inspire Rockford Artist JoanLee Stassi in Kortman Gallery Exhibit Opening February 3rd

2017-01-30T16:53:01Z

Rockford artist JoanLee Stassi feels as much at home in her Provincetown (Massachusetts) studio as she does in her hometown of Rockford when she is creating her dynamic and engaging works of art. A resident of both contrasting environments, Stassi has embraced her surroundings that have impacted her work and life for her entire art career.

On Friday, February 3rd, Stassi will be presenting works from the past and present, both paintings and prints in “Reflections: Backward/Forward…Paintings/Prints,” an exhibition opening in the Kortman Gallery, Downtown Rockford.

“The sea plays a prominent role in the imagery found in my paintings and prints,” says Stassi. “The opportunity to live and work in the oceanside community of Provincetown, Massachusetts, along with travels to various Caribbean Islands, and even music, continually nurtures my visual language.”

Stassi writes in her artist’s statement, “Myths and rituals found in primitive cultures, Carl Jung’s theory of universal symbolism, along with the spiritual beauty nature provides are important elements that I draw from.”

“JoanLee had a solo show of her large scale paintings in the Kortman Gallery more than 20 years ago,” says gallerist, Doc Slafkosky. “We are excited to present not only some of her beautiful paintings, but also her recently created monoprints and photo etchings.”

Opening reception for JoanLee Stassi’s exhibition, “Reflections: Backward/Forward…Paintings/Prints” in the Kortman Gallery will be Friday, February 3rd, 5:30 to 9pm. It will be on display through March 18th. Kortman Gallery is located upstairs at J. R. Kortman Center for Design, 107 North Main Street in Downtown Rockford. The opening reception is free and open to the public. For more information call 815-968-0123

Brighten cold dark days with Winter white from J.R. Kortman Center for Design!

2017-01-13T20:58:22Z

Shop J.R.Kortman Center for Design, Mon.–Fri., 10-6, Sat., 10-5

2017-01-03T20:51:24Z

Happy New Year! Save 25% OFF on all Christmas cards and on selected holiday items!

Happy Holidays! J.R. Kortman will have limited hours for this holiday week!

2016-12-26T00:33:56Z

Happy Holidays Everyone!

We would like to THANK YOU for making our 31st Christmas so successful, and most of all, so enjoyable!

Warmest regards,

Doc, Jerry, & Nancy

For this holiday week we will have limited hours:

Monday (Boxing Day): Noon – 5pm

Tuesday thru Thursday: 10am – 5pm

Friday: 10am – 4pm

We will be closed New Year's weekend Saturday (Dec. 31st thru Jan. 2nd)

We will resume normal hours on Tuesday, January 3rd

J.R. Kortman Center for Design open Monday-Friday, 10-6 and Satuday (Christmas Eve), 10-5

2016-12-20T21:32:57Z

From fine art to great design...Extraordinary gifts for extraordinary people!

"Naughty or Nice" Holiday Shopping Party! Monday, Dec. 19th, 6-9pm...great shopping, big fun!

2016-12-16T21:21:18Z

Don't miss the 2nd annual "Naughty or Nice" Holiday Shopping Party!...this Monday, December 19, 6-9pm @ J. R. Kortman Center for Design. It's a fun evening of shopping, and when you make a purchase, find out if you've been naughty or nice, upstairs in the Kortman Gallery! There, you'll get a chance to reach into Santa's grab bag for a fun gift, if you've been nice...or possibly a lump of coal, if you've been naughty. Only you and Santa know for sure! And, of course, bartender Dennis Horton will be serving up some holiday cheer from the Kortman Gallery Bar. Chirstmas shopping has never been this much fun!

J. R. Kortman Center for Design is open 7 days a week in December! Mo-Fr, 10-6...Sa., 10-5...AND Sunday 1-5!

2016-12-11T19:34:01Z

Holiday shopping the way you like it...come in and EXPLORE!

Prairie Street Brewhouse Celebrated in Rockford Landmark Ornament Collection

2016-12-05T15:00:01Z

From its humble beginnings in 1847, the brewery built by Johnathan Peacock expanded into the imposing brewhouse building along Rockford’s historic industrial riverfront. After years of abandonment, Lloyd and Diane Koch acquired the building and spearheaded the development of the the Prairie Street Brewhouse, a mixed use complex that has become a true Rockford Landmark.

The historic Prairie Street Brewhouse has been selected as J.R. Kortman Center for Design’s ornament for 2016 in the Rockford Landmark Ornament Collection.

“When you combine its long downtown history along the Rock River with it’s contemporary use as an extremely popular gathering and event space, the Prairie Street Brewhouse is one of Rockford’s grandest landmarks,” says Doc Slafkosky, co-owner of J. R. Kortman. ‘It’s not only historic architecturally, but it has a special place in a lot people’s hearts, since the Brewhouse hosts weddings, grand parties, and other significant community events.”

The original image for the Brewhouse ornament was a painting created by Rockford artist Jeanne Ludeke.

“We took that image to Beijing where the artist who hand-paints each ornament was able to transpose Jeanne’s painting on the inside of a clear ornament sphere, utilizing an ancient Chinese folk art technique” said co-owner Jerry Kortman. “It’s fascinating to see how our artist communicated visually with the Chinese artist through the language of art.”

The ornament features not only an image of the Brewhouse building, but also the Prairie Street Brewhouse “peacock” logo is painted on the back.

For more than 18 years J. R. Kortman Center for Design has been featuring hand-painted ornaments depicting Rockford landmarks sold year round at the downtown Rockford concept store and gallery.

The Brewhouse ornament is not only available at J. R. Kortman, 107 North Main Street, but can also be purchased at the Prairie Street Brewhouse, 200 Prairie Street, Downtown Rockford

Besides the Brewhouse, the Rockford Landmark Ornament Collection includes East and West High Schools, St. Anthony Church, Blackhawk Statue, “Symbol” sculpture, two views of Frank Lloyd Wright’s Laurent House, a special edition of Memorial Hall,, and the North Main Street Armory. Other ornaments available in the Landmark Collection include, the Beattie Park Gazebo, Sinnissippi Lagoon, the Faust Landmark Building, Coronado, and Midway Theater Buildings, the Woodward Governor building, and the Sinnissippi Burr Oak Tree. Over the past 15 years the “Symbol” ornament has been the best selling ornament in the collection.

“Other top sellers include four ornaments depicting different scenes of the beautiful Anderson Japanese Gardens and Nicholas Conservatory,” says Slafkosky.

In addition to the Swedish Historical Society’s “Erlander Home,” other historic houses in the collection include the “Limestone Mansion,” home to the Community Foundation of Northern Illinois, and the “Cobblestone House,” located at 2127 Broadway, one of Rockford’s oldest houses.

All the Landmark ornament images are individually hand-painted on the inside of a glass sphere, utilizing an ancient Chinese technique originally applied to “snuff” bottles. Each collectable ornament is a miniature work of art.

For more Info contact Doc or Jerry at 968-0123.

JingleBling: A holiday Jewelry Preview Party! ....Friday, December 2nd @ J.R. Kortman Center for Design

2016-11-30T17:43:43Z

You are invited to JingleBling!…a holiday Jewelry Preview Party, on First Friday, December 2nd, from 6 to 9pm, upstairs in the Kortman Gallery. See the latest designs, many one of a kind pieces that just arrived exclusively for J. R. Kortman from the Pearl markets of Shanghai and Beijing. Our jewelry fashion consultants will be on hand to show and model our exciting, elegant, and festive necklaces, bracelets and earrings that will be great for you to show off this holiday season. And guys, for your holiday gift buying, this is an excellent opportunity to see cool jewelry with the help of our gals who can assist you in selecting just the right piece. And best of all, the Kortman Gallery Bar will be open with bartender Dennis Horton serving up some holiday cheer! This is the way to shop!!!

P.S. At the same time you can see “The Gift Box,” a holiday group exhibition now on display in the Kortman Gallery featuring gift boxes made by 39 of some Rockford’s most accomplished artists. Purchase an artist-made gift box for your jewelry purchase and present her with an unforgettable Christmas gift that she will remember forever!…from J.R. Kortman Center for Design!

Artists Celebrate J.R. Kortman’s 30 Years with a Holiday Group Exhibition in the Kortman Gallery

2016-11-10T22:35:48Z

In 1986, Downtown Rockford had been all but abandoned by the retail sector. However, unique architecture, an urban setting, and affordable historic spaces that were left behind, became an attraction to Jerry Kortman and Doc Slafkosky who, with a vision for the future, saw opportunity for their ambitious business concept: a contemporary design store with an upstairs cafe and art gallery.
    Today, Downtown Rockford is experiencing a renaissance while J. R. Kortman Center for Design, on November 20th, completes 30 years in business. To celebrate this milestone the Kortman Gallery is presenting a holiday group exhibition, opening Friday, November 18th, featuring art by 37 artists who have created works inspired by the gift box, in recognition of the iconic J. R. Kortman gift wrap.
    “For more than a generation, J.R. Kortman has become known for our gift wrap,” says co-owner and gallery director Doc Slafkosky. “The brown craft paper with colorful bows, each hand created by Jerry has added excitement and anticipation to whatever intriguing store purchase may be within this iconic wrap."
    “We thought this would be a good theme for our annual holiday group art exhibit upstairs in the Kortman Gallery," says co-owner Jerry Kortman. "So we titled the exhibit ‘The Gift Box' and invited artists to make their version of a gift box, and be true to their own style and art form.”
    The result are works in in a variety of media including painting, sculpture, photography, and assemblage by a diverse group of Rockford artists who, over the years, have had solo exhibits in the Kortman Gallery.
    The artist featured in “The Gift Box” holiday exhibit are Stephen Warde Anderson, Leslie Arbetman, Michael Bugler, Jesus Correa, Diane Dailing, Michelle DalPra, John Deill, Michelle Dorr, Lynn Fischer-Carlson, Joseph Goral, Joanne Gustafson, Corey Hagberg, Collin Harrison, Drew Helge, Jarrod Hennis, Brian Hierstein, Margret Hesler Hynes, Javier Jimenez, Lisa Jimenez, Pam Kehoe-Peterson, Jeremy Klonicki, Norm Knott, Johnathan Kuss, Britney Lindgren, R. Scott Long, Jeanne Ludeke, David Menard, Val Olafson, Becky Pelley, Ellie Pinzarrone, Paul Pinzarrone, Sarah Reed-McNamara, Cherri Rittenhouse, Una Ryan, Sarah Danielle Stewart, Robert Sunday, Matt Vincent, Kyle Wolfe, and Betsy Youngquist.
    The opening reception for the Kortman Gallery exhibit “The Gift Box,” a holiday group exhibition will be Friday, November 18th, 5:30 to 9pm and will be on display through January 7th. Kortman Gallery is located upstairs at J. R. Kortman Center for Design, 107 North Main Street in Downtown Rockford. The exhibition is free and open to the public. For more information call 815-968-0123...and visit our J. R. Kortman Center for Design Facebook page.

Commemorative Memorial Hall hand-painted ornament availble for Veterans Day @ J..R. Kortman Center for Design

2016-11-08T18:45:56Z

Veterans Day, November 11th...now available Memorial Hall Commemorative ornaments @ J.R. Kortman...and coming soon for the holidays, we will be unveiling a new ornament in the Rockford Landmark Ornament Collection!

Day of the Dead and election inspired gifts now @ J. R. Kortman Center for Design

2016-10-22T19:37:18Z

Celebrate El Dia de los Muertos and the election season with handmade folk art from Mexico, Peru, India and Bolivia. Colorful ornaments, bowls, and mascots add a touch of authenticity to your seasonal collection...now at J. R. Kortman!

Louis Recchia, Zoa Ace and daughter Mary exhibit exuberant works in Kortman Gallery, Oct. 7 – Nov. 12

2016-10-04T17:40:06Z

There are lots of enthusiastic adjectives to do describe the art works of Colorado artists Louis Recchia, Zoa Ace, and Mary Recchia: Colorful, exuberant, exciting, engaging, entertaining, and accessible art. And art is all in the family with this group exhibition, titled “I’m OK So Far” presenting works by father, mother, and daughter, together for the first time in the Kortman Gallery opening Friday & Saturday, October 7th & 8th.

“Louis and Zoa have shown multiple times over the past 30 years in the Kortman Gallery,” said gallery director Doc Slafkosky. “They have created quite a following, not only here, but across the art world, with pieces in museum, corporate and private collections. They actually make their living from their art, which is quite an accomplishment!”

“Recchia and Ace will be joined by their daughter Mary who will be showing her print works, which are distinctive from her parents, however you can see the family influence in her imagery,” says Slafkosky.

Colorful themes featuring images of people, animals, pop culture, represented in mix of different media, from painting to collage to printmaking are featured in this exhibition.

“My work explores themes such as vulnerability and innocence lost, and is included in many public collections ranging from the Denver Art Museum to the Absolut Vodka corporate collection,” said Recchia. “Over the years, my paintings have been shown in many places including the Museum of Modern Art in Vienna and the Brooklyn Museum in New York.”

Zoa Ace, who grew up in Rockford, has lived in Berthoud, Colorado for over 20 years, and has been showing and selling her colorful works in the Denver area and across the art world. “My paintings have appeared in the U.S. Embassy in Vienna, Austria, Mosko Miller Fine Art in New York City, and in the Denver Art Museum as part of a public collection,” says Ace.

“I love drawing animals of all kinds and sharing them with lovely people at affordable prices,” says daughter Mary Recchia. “My illustrations are cute. Some are kinda weird. That's the way I like it. I hope you like them, too.”

Opening receptions for the Kortman Gallery exhibit “I’m OK So Far,” a family group exhibition will be Friday, October 7th, 5:00 to 10pm and Saturday, October 8th from 3:00 to 9pm. It will be on display through November 12th. Kortman Gallery is located upstairs at J. R. Kortman Center for Design, 107 North Main Street in Downtown Rockford. The opening reception is free and open to the public. For more information call 815-968-0123 or visit www.jrkortman.com.

Jeanne Ludeke’s realist paintings recall images of family history, relationships and home in Kortman Gallery Exhibition

2016-08-06T21:45:14Z

After her mother passed away, Rockford artist Jeanne Ludeke, while sorting through her belongings, became interested in the cardboard boxes her mother had used to store and preserve things that were important to her. Moved by the imagery of the boxes and the memories they contain, Ludeke saw them as an intriguing subject matter for her exhibition of realist paintings.
    On Friday, August 12th, Ludeke will present these remarkable paintings in a Kortman Gallery exhibit titled “Flashlights & Other Stories.”
    “Jeanne’s exquisite paintings at first glance look like beautifully colored abstracts,” says Kortman Gallery director Doc Slafkosky. “But with a closer look you discover they are paintings of the actual aged cardboard boxes that held her mom’s treasured keepsakes. Most unusual, but unforgettable imagery that you just have to see!”
    “The history of what each box had once held was recorded with my mom’s script on the lids and sides of the boxes,” Ludeke said. “What she had saved and valued and how it was kept, spoke of her connection to our family and her relationship with the material world. For me, the boxes became a metaphor for the transience of home, family and the impermanence of things.”
    Ludeke began her studies in drawing, painting and art history at NIU and the University of Salzburg, Austria, and completed a Masters in drawing at NIU in 1983. She has worked as a commissioned portrait artist and also taught art for many years. Only recently she has returned to her personal work as an artist.
    The Kortman Gallery exhibit “Flashlights & Other Stories,” paintings by Jeanne Ludeke will open Friday, August 12th, 5:30 to 9pm. It will be on display through September 30th. Kortman Gallery is located upstairs at J. R. Kortman Center for Design, 107 North Main Street in Downtown Rockford. The opening reception is free and open to the public. For more information call 815-968-0123 or visit www.jrkortman.com.

Photographs by Hans Rupert exhibition continues through July 31 upstairs in the Kortman Gallery

2016-07-05T21:25:54Z

Elegant architectural details captured by Rockford photographer Hans Rupert. "Secret Scenes: Hidden icons in a different light" an exhibition of photos of Downtown Rockford by Hans Rupert is now display upstairs in the Kortman Gallery through July 31st. Don't miss this great photography show!

First Friday, July 1st @ J. R. Kortman: Blue Dot Sale!...and Great Photographs by Hans Rupert @ Kortman Gallery

2016-06-28T21:00:44Z

Start off your holiday weekend Downtown First Friday, July 1st, with shopping at J. R. Kortman Center for Design featuring our Blue Dot Sale with 25% off on selected items. Then relax upstairs in the Kortman Gallery with a refreshing wine cocktail or ice cold beer served up by master bartender Tim Stotz while enjoying the remarkable photographs of Downtown Rockford created by Hans Rupert. You won't want to miss this great exhibit which will be on display through July 31st.

Hans Rupert Captures Downtown Architecture in a New Light in Kortman Gallery Photo Exhibit

2016-05-31T16:33:35Z

Downtown Rockford is Hans Rupert’s front and backyard, his neighborhood, his workplace, his home. And being a commercial photographer with architectural clients, Rupert has an eye and camera on buildings. With the opportunity of seeing it 24 hours a day, season after season for three decades, the unique architecture of Downtown Rockford has naturally become the subject of Rupert’s stunning and intriguing neighborhood photographs.
   On Friday June 3rd, Hans Rupert’s captivating perspective of Downtown Rockford will be presented in “Secret Scenes: Hidden icons in a different light,” an exhibition of photographs will open in the Kortman Gallery.
   “Hans starting posting his collection of these elegant photos of Downtown on Instagram and Facebook and that caught our eye,” said Doc Slafkosky, gallerist for the Kortman Gallery. “The light, the colors, and the architectural details in his photos is breathtaking. Hans has stepped out of his commercial field and into the artistic world with these photos.”
   “I was surprised when the Kortman Gallery approached me with the idea for an exhibition,” said Rupert. “I have always thought of my photography as a commercial endeavor, and not necessarily art. But, I’m excited and pleased to share my Downtown with everyone.”
   In his exhibition title, Rupert refers to “secret scenes” which, in reality, are in plain site, says Slafkosky. “However, you see them from a personal and atmospheric perspective that Rupert was able to capture through detailed familiarity and affection for his neighborhood. Most of us don’t see Downtown in this light.”
   Since the mid 1980’s, commercial photographer Hans Rupert has not only worked, but has lived in Downtown Rockford. Studio space was affordable as was living space. In the late ’90’s Rupert acquired the Bliss Building on Mulberry Street where he and his wife, Amy are raising their two children. He is a graduate of Rockford University and owner of noir.net, his photography business.
   The Kortman Gallery exhibit “Secret Scenes: Hidden icons in a different light,” photographs by Hans Rupert will open First Friday, June 3rd, 5:30 to 9pm. It will be on display through July 16th. Kortman Gallery is located upstairs at J. R. Kortman Center for Design, 107 North Main Street in Downtown Rockford. For more information call 815-968-0123.

Graduations, Weddings, Father's Day...gifts from J.R. Kortman Center for Design!

2016-05-26T19:04:44Z

Elegant, classic, fun...decorative accessories for you and your home from J. R. Kortman Center for Design

2016-05-14T23:15:30Z

Here are contemporary, yet classic, pieces that would add an elegant, and even whimsical accent to your home...also ideas for graduation, Father's Day, and Spring weddings...Japanese zinc Crane Vase, the beautiful wood and lacquer Michael Graves mantle clock with swinging pendant, and ceramic Einstein bank...

Exceptional gifts for your Mom from J.R. Kortman...

2016-05-01T18:04:57Z

Remember Mom on Mother's Day, May 8th with something sweet or something fun, or something exceptional that she'll treasure forever from J.R. Kortman Center for Design...

Open-mic poetry reading celebrates Earth Day, Friday April 22nd @ Kortman Gallery

2016-04-18T22:12:29Z

The Mas Tequila Review and the Kortman Gallery present another poetry open mic in downtown Rockford on Friday, April 22nd. The theme is Earth Day. Rockford poets and the general public are invited to come together as we celebrate restoring and maintaining the planet we live on and the environment we live in. Sign up to read your favorite Earth Day related poem, and also share one of your original works. Sign-up begins at 7:30 pm. Limited to the first 15 readers, additional readers if time permits.The readings are hosted by Richard Vargas.

Free to the public. The bar will be open with Bartender Tim Stotz mixing up a special Kortman Gallery Bar wine cocktail!.

Modern Media & Graffiti Inspires Artist Collin Harrison in Kortman Gallery Exhibit opening April 15 & 16, Spring ArtScene weekend

2016-04-04T20:47:22Z

    In the early days of TV broadcasting it wasn’t uncommon to see the phrase, “Please Stand By” on your television screen. It was a way of holding your attention until the next image, event, or broadcast appeared on your screen.
   Rockford artist Collin Harrison has titled his Kortman Gallery exhibit, “Please Stand By” to emphasize his fascination with the layers of visual history that surrounds us not only though electronic media, but also in graffiti, where artists push themselves to the forefront of the conversation by painting over already existing work.
   “I try to channel the visual noise in graffiti into the backgrounds of my work with many different layers of images, colors, and textures while leaving a stark
black & white focal stenciled image that pushes itself out of that noise,” said Harrison.
   “I use natural, spiritual, and pop culture iconography to explore the things people go to outside of themselves for information and guidance, namely, religion and the modern media,” writes Harrison in his artist’s statement.
   “Collin’s art does emulate the visual language of graffiti artists, but utilizes a refined technique of layering images with stenciling and spray paint to create colorfully complicated, sophisticated paintings that are a feast for the eyes,” says Kortman Gallery director Doc Slafkosky.
   Collin Harrison is a twenty-four year old Rockford native and student of
printmaking/graphic design. A graduate of the Auburn High School CAPA program,
and received his Associate of Arts from Rock Valley College. Harrison is now a senior BFA student at Rockford University. Previously, his work has been on display in collective Art Scene exhibitions, in his college literary magazines, as well as in the emerging artist booth at Rockford Art Museum’s Greenwich Village Art Fair.
   The Kortman Gallery exhibit “Please Stand By” by Collin Harrison will open in conjunction with Spring ArtScene, Friday, April 15th, 5 to 10pm and Saturday, April 16th, 10am to 9pm. It will be on display through May 21st. Kortman Gallery is located upstairs at J. R. Kortman Center for Design, 107 North Main Street in Downtown Rockford. For more information call 815-968-0123.

Spring & Easter gifts...can fill your Easter Basket with colorful fun from J. R. Kortman Center for Design

2016-03-16T20:15:21Z

The first day of Spring and Easter are just around the corner. Celebrate with gifts that capture the colors and spirit of the season and Easter holiday. Here are some decorative, and even functional gift ideas for filling your Easter and Spring baskets.