tag:jrkortman.com,2013:/posts J. R. Kortman Center for Design / Kortman Gallery 2023-02-28T12:57:55Z J. R. Kortman Center for Design tag:jrkortman.com,2013:Post/1935679 2023-01-31T23:02:26Z 2023-02-28T12:57:55Z Penny McGuire and Summer Wagner exhibit ‘photography reimagined’ in Kortman Gallery, opening February 10th

  

 Rockford artists Penny McGuire and Summer Wagner capture their images through the lens of a camera. However, their creative energy goes beyond the subsequent photograph. They both reimagine their photographs and create images that offer a unique perspective that defines their art.
    The engaging images from each these photographers will be presented in the Kortman Gallery in “Photography reimagined,” an exhibition opening Friday, February 10th in the Kortman Gallery, Downtown Rockford.
    In her photographs, Penny McGuire is drawn to architecture, landscape and still life images.
    “I started experimenting with different settings on my 12 yr old Sony Cybershot to find different ways to record the images I saw”, says McGuire. “I am drawn to architecture, outdoor art and odd things as they relate to their natural environment and to each other.  Many of my photos are several different photos of the same shot in different modes.”
    Most of McGuire’s images in this show are primarily Rockford-related with a few eccentric still life’s and historic sites around the Midwest artistically enhanced to interject her expressive perspective to the photograph.
    After living in Los Angeles for ten years, the pandemic brought Summer Wagner back to Rockford, where she had spent much of her childhood.   
    Wagner’s images offer an extraordinary departure from what can be seen through the lens of a camera alone. Her photographs are ethereal fantasy of people in romantic, yet provocative settings that she visually creates.
    “My work contemplates the spiritual and psychological threads of everyday life and the blur of poetry that is our society's collective dreamscape,” writes Wagner in her artist’s statement.
    Doc Slafkosky, Kortman gallery director says these two artists were chosen because of the entirely different approaches they bring to photography.
    “Not only do Penny and Summer represent different generations, but their artistic vision also represents a different kind of photographic imagery,” said Slafkosky. They both, in some way, reimagine their photographs, but their style and subject matter are so different, that the contrast makes for an engaging and visually entertaining exhibition.”
    Meet the artists at the Kortman Gallery opening reception for “Photography reimagined,” featuring works by Penny McGuire and Summer Wagner Friday, February 10th from 5:30 to 9pm.  The gallery is located upstairs at J. R. Kortman Center for Design, 107 North Main Street in Downtown Rockford. The exhibit is free, and open to the public. The exhibition will run though March 31, 2023. For more information call 815-968-0123 or visit www.jrkortman.com.


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J. R. Kortman Center for Design
tag:jrkortman.com,2013:Post/1927384 2023-01-10T18:36:18Z 2023-01-10T18:44:48Z J.R. Kortman Center for Design is open Tuesday-Friday 11am to 6pm, and Satuday 11am to 5pm

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J. R. Kortman Center for Design
tag:jrkortman.com,2013:Post/1924692 2023-01-03T20:50:12Z 2023-01-03T20:50:13Z J.R. Kortman is open Tuesday-Friday 11am to 6pm, and Satuday 11am to 5pm

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J. R. Kortman Center for Design
tag:jrkortman.com,2013:Post/1919072 2022-12-21T23:43:43Z 2022-12-22T23:39:44Z Shop J.R Kortman Tu-Fr 11-6, Saturday (Christmas Eve) 11-5...closed Sunday & Monday Dec. 25-26

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J. R. Kortman Center for Design
tag:jrkortman.com,2013:Post/1912178 2022-12-03T22:23:36Z 2022-12-03T22:23:36Z J.R. Kortman now OPEN 7 days a week 'til Christmas: M-F 11-6, Sa 11-5, Su 1-5

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J. R. Kortman Center for Design
tag:jrkortman.com,2013:Post/1902704 2022-11-12T23:00:20Z 2022-11-12T23:00:20Z 26 Artists reimagine chairs as art in Kortman Gallery holiday group exhibition opening Friday, Nov. 18th!
  

 Chairs have been a part of every day life since the dawn of civilization. They have evolved from not only a purely functional piece of furniture, but also a statement of design, social strata, and comfort. For centuries the chair has appeared in works of art from ancient Egyptian scroll paintings  to works by classical masters to modern day paintings and sculpture.
     Kortman Gallery has invited twenty-six artists who work in different styles and media to create works of art inspired by the chair. The exhibition titled, “Sit. Chairs as Art” opens Friday, November 18th from 5:30 to 9pm in the downtown Rockford Kortman Gallery.
    “All twenty-five of these imaginative, accomplished artists have created works that either visually depict a chair in a painting, ceramics, photography, or sculpture…and some are actually functional chairs,” said gallery director Doc Slafkosky.
    Clay artist Lynn Fischer-Carlson said she welcomes the challenge of creating a piece for a show that has a designated theme.
    “It compels you to apply your artistic skills often in different ways,” says Fischer-Carlson. “You want to participate in the theme without sacrificing your own aesthetic vision or style.”
    One of the inspirations for this exhibition was to recognize the 20th anniversary of the creation of “The Big Chair” by Rockford artist, Jim Julin who passed away in 2012.
    “Jim created the chair for a Kortman Gallery exhibit in 2002,” said Slafkosky. “He built the large scale sculpture to honor his Rockford Swedish furniture manufacturing heritage. The Big Chair was placed on the then downtown mall in front of our gallery. It was acquired by Lon and Dick Behr and donated to the Rockford Art Museum’s sculpture garden where it stands tall today on North Main Street.”    
    Participating artists include Zoa Ace, Stephen Warde Anderson, Lynn Fischer-Carlson, Molly Carter, Jesus Correa, John Deill, Michelle Dorr, Fatherless, Roni Golan, Laura Gomel, Brian Hierstein, Jane Peterson Hooker, Lisa Jimenez , Carrie Johnson, Jeremy Klonicki, Jenny Mathews, Robin McCauley, Nancie King Mertz, Valerie Olafson, Jacob Polhill, Jane Weis Proudfoot, Louis Recchia, Joe Tallman, Alison Weust, Brett Whitacre, and Kyle Wolfe.
    Meet the artists at the Kortman Gallery opening reception for “Sit. Chairs as Art,” a holiday group exhibition is  Friday, November 18th from 5:30 to 9pm.  The gallery is located upstairs at J. R. Kortman Center for Design, 107 North Main Street in Downtown Rockford. The exhibit is free, and open to the public. The exhibition will run though January 14th, 2023. For more information call 815-968-0123.


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J. R. Kortman Center for Design
tag:jrkortman.com,2013:Post/1896382 2022-10-28T18:44:10Z 2022-10-28T18:45:42Z J.R Kortman Center forDesign is OPEN: Tu-Fr 11-6, Sa 11-5..."Imaginary Friends," new works by Kyle Wolfe is now on exhibit in the Kortman Gallery thru Nov. 12

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J. R. Kortman Center for Design
tag:jrkortman.com,2013:Post/1891561 2022-10-16T23:27:15Z 2022-10-16T23:27:15Z J.R. Kortman CLOSED for VACATION Oct. 17-26!

The store and gallery will be CLOSED October 17th through October 26th for VACATION! We will resume normal hours on Thursday, October 27th. Looking forward to seeing you when we return!

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J. R. Kortman Center for Design
tag:jrkortman.com,2013:Post/1887357 2022-10-05T22:51:34Z 2022-10-08T18:24:17Z Rockford artist Kyle Wolfe introduces his “Imaginary Friends” in multi media, interactive exhibit in Kortman Gallery...opening October 14th

 

 

 Growing up, Kyle Wolfe was always attracted to visually charged toys, video games, comics, and pop culture objects from the past. With a natural talent for art, he cultivated his artistic talent and curiosity that lead to a career not only as a multimedia visual artist, but an art educator.
    On Friday, October 14th Wolfe brings his extraordinary visual, interactive new works to the Kortman Gallery in an exhibit he calls, “Imaginary Friends.” The opening receptions, coincide with this year’s ArtSene weekend on Friday, October 14 from 5-9pm and  and Saturday, October 15, 4- 9pm.
    Wolfe’s imaginative, innovative exhibit includes painting with acrylics or oil, on recently rediscovered found objects from his past like skateboards, shoes, and even telephone. His attraction to comics, video games and the visual culture of his youth is also the inspiration for digital and print work that will also be featured in this exhibit.
    “My approach to creating has always been evolving,” says Wolfe. “I’m at point in my career where I feel the freedom to create in any way that moves me. This show has given me the opportunity to let go of control and express myself in multiple media utilizing anything that inspires me to become my canvas.”
    Since his personal relationship to the imagery of pop culture was such an important part of his early life, he relates to his newly created visual images as his “imaginary friends.” Some of his art makes references to known characters like Pac-man, Muppets characters, etc. while other creatures in his eye-popping, colorful works are pure fantasy.
    Many of his pieces will include an interactive QR code along side that will enhance and engage the viewers experience.
    “This is going to be a fun and entertaining exhibit for all ages,” said Doc Slafkosky, Kortman Gallery director. “This is not just paintings on the wall. You will have a great time exploring the imagination and creative spirit of this expressive and inspired artist.”
    This is Kyle Wolfe’s second solo exhibit in the Kortman Gallery. His first show in 2010 featured digital works called “A Thousand Words” creating images from visual fragments he created on the computer. Wolfe, a graduate of Northern Illinois University, teaches art in the Rockford Public Schools at Roosevelt High School.
    “Imaginary Friends,” new works by Kyle Wolfe opens Friday, October 14th from 5 to 9pm and Saturday, October 15th from 4 to 9pm upstairs in the Kortman Gallery, 107 North Main Street in Downtown Rockford. His exhibit will run through November 12th. J.R. Kortman Center for Design & Kortman Gallery are openTuesday to Friday, 11am to 6pm and Saturdays, 11 to 5pm. For more information visit www.jrkortman.com of phone 815-968-0123


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J. R. Kortman Center for Design
tag:jrkortman.com,2013:Post/1871001 2022-08-20T19:27:00Z 2022-08-20T20:02:08Z Shop J.R. Kortman Center for Design: Tu-Fr 11-6, Sa 11-5...See "Botanic Flourish," paintings by Valentina Fedoseeva & Jenny Mathews upstairs in the Kortman Gallery

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J. R. Kortman Center for Design
tag:jrkortman.com,2013:Post/1857727 2022-07-20T19:39:45Z 2022-07-23T15:42:15Z Nature flourishes on canvas as two Rockford artists present colorful floral paintings in Kortman Gallery exhibition opening July 29th
 
  "Color is a power which directly influences the soul,” says emerging Rockford artist Valentina Fedoseeva quoting Wassily Kandinsky.
    “Telling universal stories, is how I like to highlight the magical elements in our shared culture,” says Rockford artist Jenny Mathews.
    These two exuberant artists are teaming up in an expression of the colorful beauty of nature in “Botanic Flourish,” an exhibition of floral paintings opening Friday, July 29th in the Kortman Gallery, Downtown Rockford.
    “Both Mathews and Fedoseeva have an artistic gift to create works that have universal appeal because of their classic painterly styles,” says Kortman gallery director Doc Slafkosky.  “Jenny introduced me to not only the idea for this show, but also to Valentina, a newcomer to the Rockford art community.”
    Valentina Fedoseeva was born and raised in Moldavia. Her work is influenced by her travel experiences that heave taken her to such colorful cultures as India and Central America. Nature is her inspiration as most of her works captures imagery such as flowers, botanicals, and landscapes.
    “I love nature very much! It's the main source of my inspiration. Shapes, colors, and motifs are collected grain by grain in my subconscious,” said Fedoseeva.  “When I enter the studio, something huge, something that cannot be described in words, seems to take possession of me.”
    Jenny Mathews is a well-known and accomplished Rockford artist. She has exhibited work in a galleries and museums throughout the region including a 2019 solo exhibit in the Kortman Gallery. She is best known for her public art murals that have graced the Rockford urban landscape for years…her latest in Rockford’s North End above the Norwegian Restaurant at 1402 North Main.
    “I enjoy creating small paintings and illustrations as much as large public murals,” said Mathews. “My artistic vision is driven by my love for bringing people together and my work aims to be the catalyst of a shared experience.”
    Kortman Gallery opening reception for “Botanic Flourish,” an exhibition of floral paintings by Valentina Fedoseeva and Jenny Mathews opens Friday, July 29th from 5:30 to 9pm.  The gallery is located upstairs at J. R. Kortman Center for Design, 107 North Main Street in Downtown Rockford. The exhibit is free, and open to the public..
    “Botanic Flourish” will run though September 30th. For more information call 815-968-0123.


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J. R. Kortman Center for Design
tag:jrkortman.com,2013:Post/1852702 2022-07-08T22:25:41Z 2022-07-08T22:28:00Z Shop at J.R. Kortman Center for Design Tu-Fr 11-6, Sa 11-5/See "Amorous,"group exhibit upstairs in the Kortman Gallery extended thru July 22nd

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J. R. Kortman Center for Design
tag:jrkortman.com,2013:Post/1841954 2022-06-14T19:34:08Z 2022-06-14T19:54:37Z Shop at J.R. Kortman Center for Design Tu-Fr 11-6, Sa 11-5/See "Amorous,"group exhibit upstairs in the Kortman Gallery thru June 30
From Alessi designed by the late Virgil Abloh, the international design & fashion genius and Rockford native...
A new approach to designing tableware, Occasional Object is a stainless steel cutlery set consisting of a spoon, fork, knife and a carabiner to attach all three together, either in the context of a new way of setting the table, or as a means of attaching these utensils to the body. A new take on cutlery in a limited edition of 999 numbered pieces.
The set features geometric forms and an aesthetic closer to that of work tools than of table settings. It’s the first of a series of ‘Occasional Objects’, which will be joined by more pieces, including ceramics, tableware and a new interpretation by Vigil Abloh of an Alessi classic.
Available by special order @ J.R. Kortman Center for Design




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J. R. Kortman Center for Design
tag:jrkortman.com,2013:Post/1825064 2022-04-30T20:09:56Z 2022-06-09T18:55:00Z Shop at J.R. Kortman Center for Design Tu-Fr 11-6, Sa 11-5/See "Amorous,"group exhibit upstairs in the Kortman Gallery thru June 30

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J. R. Kortman Center for Design
tag:jrkortman.com,2013:Post/1824449 2022-04-28T20:43:15Z 2022-04-28T20:43:15Z Shop at J.R. Kortman Center for Design Tu-Fr 11-6, Sa 11-5/See "Amorous,"group exhibit upstairs in the Kortman Gallery

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J. R. Kortman Center for Design
tag:jrkortman.com,2013:Post/1820267 2022-04-18T13:53:34Z 2022-04-21T16:24:24Z Three Rockford artists curate erotic art exhibition in Kortman Gallery

Margret Hynes, John Lamar, and Marilynn Lamar have well established themselves in the Rockford arts community as accomplished artists. The three artists approached the Kortman Gallery with the idea of curating an exhibit featuring local artists creating works of art with an erotic theme…a subject rarely explored in the local art scene.

From that concept came “Amorous” a group exhibition opening Friday, April 22nd in the Kortman Gallery. Along with Hynes and the Lamars, other participating artists include Ruth Eversoll, Nikki Hollander, Javier Jimenez, Ron Rawhoof, and Ted Simmering.
“Since mankind began to visually communicate their thoughts, sexually charged images have been used in art, even appearing on prehistoric cave walls,” says co-curator Marilyn Lamar. “However, social constraints have always influenced what is acceptable in the visual arts over the centuries. We are still having to sometimes contend with Victorian era attitudes.”
 “We wanted to challenge artists to create works that may be out of their comforts zones,” said Hynes, co- curator. “Anything that has a sexual element can certainly be stimulating not only visually, but also intellectually, inspiring conversations on censorship, social mores, and how the arts affect our cultural attitudes.”
“We thought it was a great idea to explore the realm of erotic art with these talented artists,” says Kortman Gallery director Doc Slafkosky. “There is a definitely a distinction between what is erotic and what is pornographic. The works of art presented in this gallery exhibit are esthetically pleasing and can be viewed and enjoyed by a general audience.”
The “Amorous” exhibition will feature works in multiple media including painting, drawing, ceramics, and printmaking
Kortman Gallery opening reception for “Amorous,” a group exhibition of erotic art opens Spring ArtScene weekend, Friday,April 22nd from 5 to 9pm, and Saturday, April 23rd from 4 to 9pm.  The gallery is located upstairs at J. R. Kortman Center for Design, 107 North Main Street in Downtown Rockford. The exhibit is free, and open to the public..
The exhibit will run though June 30th. For more information call 815-968-0123.
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J. R. Kortman Center for Design
tag:jrkortman.com,2013:Post/1779379 2022-01-04T21:13:34Z 2022-04-28T20:47:23Z J.R. Kortman Center for Design is open Tuesday-Friday, 11am-6pm and Saturday, 11am-5pm

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J. R. Kortman Center for Design
tag:jrkortman.com,2013:Post/1770709 2021-12-13T23:00:50Z 2021-12-27T23:27:36Z J.R. Kortman Center for Design open Tu-Th (Dec.28-30), 11-6…CLOSED: Dec 31-Jan 3, 2022

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J. R. Kortman Center for Design
tag:jrkortman.com,2013:Post/1767134 2021-12-05T03:45:53Z 2021-12-05T17:53:57Z J.R. Kortman Center for Design open everyday: M-F 11-6, Sa 11-5, Su 1-5

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J. R. Kortman Center for Design
tag:jrkortman.com,2013:Post/1765323 2021-11-30T23:42:54Z 2021-11-30T23:42:54Z J.R. Kortman Center for Design selects Rockford Elk’s Lodge as the 2021 addition to the Rockford Landmark Ornament Collection

  

 The historic downtown Elk’s Lodge #64, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, has been selected as the new addition to the hand-painted Rockford Landmark Ornament Collection for 2021 at J.R. Kortman Center for Design.
    The building, which stands on the corner of North Main and Jefferson Streets, was built in 1913 and designed by the successful and influential Chicago architect Lawrence. P. Buck.
    “The beautiful and endangered downtown Elk’s Club is not only a local landmark, but is is one of America’s treasures,” says Doc Slafkosky, co-owner of J. R. Kortman. “The building’s architecture is definitely  inspired by the Arts and Crafts movement that took place around the turn of the 19th to 20th century.”
    The Elk’s Club ornament image was based on a painting by Rockford artist Rebecca Downing Pelley who was inspired by a 1920’s vintage post card of the building.
    Also added this year in the Landmark collection is a new edition of Symbol sculpture by Alexander Liberman,
    “The Rockford “Symbol” in Sinnissippi Park along the river is by far the best selling ornament of all other buildings and places that have been made  into ornaments since we started commissioning them back in 1997,” said Jerry Kortman. “It really has become Rockford’s definitive landmark!”
        Besides the Elk’s Club and the new Symbol, other ornaments in the collection include  the Rockford Armory, which is also a National Landmark along with two different ornaments of the Coronado Performing Arts Center.
    Rockford Landmark Ornament Collection also includes the Embassy Suites Hotel, Prairie Street Brewhouse, East and West High Schools, St. Anthony Church, two views of Frank Lloyd Wright’s Laurent House, a special edition of Memorial Hall, the Beattie Park Gazebo, the Faust Landmark Building, the “Y” Log Lodge, Burpee Natural History Museum, Anderson Gardens, and Midway Theater Building.
       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.


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J. R. Kortman Center for Design
tag:jrkortman.com,2013:Post/1759119 2021-11-13T21:01:29Z 2021-11-30T22:33:31Z Toss pillows become souvenirs of art in Kortman Gallery holiday group exhibition opening Friday, November 19th

  

 Merchandising collectibles has been an integral part of the entertainment industry for decades. Iconic images appear on everything from T- shirts to lunch boxes. 
    The art world has become no exception to this concept. Images of great works of art appear on a myriad of souvenir merchandise by artists like Picasso, Van Gogh, Basquiat, Monet, and Haring, to name a few.
    Kortman Gallery takes this idea of merchandising images of fine art as an inspiration for a new exhibition called “Pillow Talk: Souvenirs of Art,” a holiday group exhibition opening Friday, November 19th. The show presents original works of art along with their images reproduced on toss pillows. Twenty-six accomplished artists from Rockford and beyond are featured in this unique exhibit.
    “A toss pillow makes a great ‘canvas’ for fairly accurately reproducing an image,” said Kortman Gallery director Doc Slafkosky. “The pillow becomes not only a unique keepsake, but a functional object that can be a cool home accent.”
    Artists were invited to submit an existing piece or create a new work for this show.
    “I usually work in ceramics,” says artist Lynn Fischer-Carlson. “The invitation inspired me to create a new abstract painting that I thought would look cool on a pillow”
    Rockford artist Drew Eurek, who creates paintings on large canvasses, submitted a piece for the exhibit. A detail of the large painting was captured and reproduced on a pillow.
    “I’m really excited to be a part of this exhibit,” said Eurek. “It’s always intriguing to see your work applied to another medium and see it with a new and different perspective.”
    “It’s always fun & interesting to see images of great artists like Picasso on mugs, calendars, plates, watches, playing cards, and yes, pillows, making fine art images widely accessible souvenirs” says Slafkosky. “So we thought it would be cool to present works of art by great local artists seen in the Kortman Gallery on pillows!”
    “Being retailers,  museum gift shops have always been of particular interest to us…the blending of art & commerce…and has even influenced our buying for our store,” said Jerry Kortman co-owner of J.R. Kortman. “So this exhibit suits our store and gallery concept perfectly.”
    Participating artists include Zoa Ace, Stephen Warde Anderson, Kelvin Candie, Lynn Fischer-Carlson, Molly Carter, Jesus Correa, John Deill, Ingrid Dohm, Drew Eurek, Brian Hierstein, Lisa Jimenez, Carrie Johnson, Etsuko Kobayashi, R. Scott Long, Jenny Mathews, Robin McCauley, Valerie Olafson, Isabella Onrubia, Rebecca Downing Pelley, Louis Recchia, Cherri Rittenhouse, JoanLee Stassi, Joe Tallman, Brett Whitacre, Kyle Wolfe, and Betsy Youngquist.
    Kortman Gallery opening reception for “Pillow Talk: Souvenirs of Art,” a holiday group exhibition is Friday, November 19th from 5:30 to 9pm.  The gallery is located upstairs at J. R. Kortman Center for Design, 107 North Main Street in Downtown Rockford. The exhibit is free, and open to the public..
    The exhibit will run though January 8th, 2022. For more information call 815-968-0123.


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J. R. Kortman Center for Design
tag:jrkortman.com,2013:Post/1739346 2021-09-22T22:25:11Z 2021-09-30T14:15:58Z "Artistry in Eyewear" an exhibition curated by Jamar Holloway opens October 1st & 2nd in the Kortman Gallery

The realms of art & design come together when optician and eyewear aficionado Jamar Holloway curates this unique and “eye-catching” exhibition that explores how art has inspired eyewear and how eyewear design has become art. Works include a variety of media including painting, printmaking, sculpture, jewelry, and optical design collections. Participants in the exhibit include artists from Rockford and Chicago: Candice Johnson, Socorro Mucino, Meryl Morris, Brian Estep, Jesus Correa, Fatherless, Scott Urban, Nick Cashmere, Kevin Johnson, Sean Archer, Tim Gunnell, and Brett Whitacre.  Kortman Gallery opening receptions for “Artistry in Eyewear,” featuring works from artists and eyewear designers, are Friday, October 1st from 5 to 9pm and Saturday, October 2nd, 4 to 9pm, ArtScene weekend.  Kortman Gallery is located upstairs at J. R. Kortman Center for Design, 107 North Main Street in Downtown Rockford. The exhibit is free, and open to the public..

The exhibit will run though November 13th. For more information call 815-968-0123 or visit www.jrkortman.com


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J. R. Kortman Center for Design
tag:jrkortman.com,2013:Post/1735934 2021-09-14T19:17:13Z 2021-09-14T19:17:14Z J.R. Kortman presents Point & Spark Bars at Greenwich Village Art Fair '21 @ Rockford Art Museum grounds


Hope to see you at the Greenwich Village Art Fair, Saturday, September 18th from 10am to 6pm...with after hours festivities from 6 to 9:30pm. 
See, discover, and buy great art from over 70 artists...plus enjoy intriguing vendors & food trucks...and groove to cool music all day 'til 9:30pm in the Burpee amphitheater. Once again, J.R. Kortman is sponsoring Point! Bar and the all new Spark, a riverfront champagne bar...great places to meet with friends and relax. Both bars will be open 'til 8pm for After Hours Cocktail Hour. This year the fair is a one day event...so don't miss this great end of the summer tradition since 1948 benefitting the Rockford Art Museum!

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J. R. Kortman Center for Design
tag:jrkortman.com,2013:Post/1727918 2021-08-24T18:52:58Z 2021-08-24T19:04:36Z Brett Whitacre's "Plant-based Material" exhibition has been extended through September 16th...don't miss this show now in the Kortman Gallery!

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J. R. Kortman Center for Design
tag:jrkortman.com,2013:Post/1709548 2021-07-01T22:41:29Z 2021-07-01T22:41:29Z Rockford artist, muralist, musician Brett Whitacre exhibits small scale verdant works in Kortman Gallery

    From larger than life urban murals to whimsical reverse paintings, Rockford artist and musician Brett Whitacre’s career is flourishing. His feel good works have been brightening walls on buildings, galleries, and homes across the country for two decades.
    After living in Chicago as an artist and touring Europe as a drummer with the band Legendary Shack Shakers, Whitacre has returned to Rockford and the Kortman Gallery is presenting his latest small scale paintings. The show titled, “Plant-based Material” is opening Friday, July 9th.
    “During the shelter in place order, we filled our living space with an inflated amount of natural plants and imagery to bring the outdoors in,” says Whitacre. “A healthy obsession with house plants inspired a fun exploration of their form and setting in good fodder for art.”
    The result is Whitacre’s almost abstract, mater of fact modern paintings of plants!
    “The graphic nature of Brett’s verdant, simple images are at once whimsical and sophisticated,” says Kortman Gallery director Doc Slafkosky. “His bold, colorful art just makes you feel good. The paintings are no nonsense works that just fit in wherever they are!”
    Whitacre had an exhibit in the Kortman Gallery back in 2007. The show, “Hearts & Helicopters”  featured his pop images painted on window panes hung on the gallery walls and his painted suitcases displayed in the baggage claim at RFD.
    Besides this Kortman exhibition Brett’s work can soon been seen in Loves Park in a large scale mural on the side of CD Source Records (the old Park Theater Building), and on a wall in Pecatonica. Both are part of the CRE8IV urban art project spearheaded by Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau’s placemaking and public art efforts designed to enhance our region for both residents and visitors.
    The “Plant-based Material” exhibit will also feature small scale original work which is a sneak peak of a mural set to be painted on a State Street building in Downtown Rockford.
    And if that isn’t enough, you can hear drummer Brett Whitacre performing with the band Prairie Smoke throughout the region and beyond.
     Opening reception for “Plant-based Material,” featuring new works by Brett Whitacre  is Friday, July 9th from 5:30 to 9pm. The  Kortman Gallery is located upstairs at J. R. Kortman Center for Design, 107 North Main Street in Downtown Rockford. The exhibit is free, and open to the public..
    The exhibit will run though August 31st. For more information call 815-968-0123.


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J. R. Kortman Center for Design
tag:jrkortman.com,2013:Post/1698611 2021-06-03T19:49:29Z 2021-06-03T20:47:28Z Andrew Harlan's "it's an odd world" exhibit extended thru June/New appilances from Alessi at J.R. Kortman Center for Design

"it's an odd world" exhibition by odd aka Andrew Harlan has been extended through the end of June. Stop by the Kortman Gallery and see this unique exhibit featuring paintings, drawings, photography, and sculpture by this emerging, young artist. Also in the store, see the newest designs in small kitchen appliances by Italian architect Michele De Lucchi for Alessi. We're open Tu-Fr, 11-6 & Sa, 11-5.


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J. R. Kortman Center for Design
tag:jrkortman.com,2013:Post/1679541 2021-04-16T20:54:47Z 2021-04-17T18:35:37Z Artist Andrew Harlan brings his odd view of the world to Kortman Gallery in "it's an odd world" exhibit opening April 23rd
 
Artist Andrew Harlan is odd. It’s nothing personal, but then again, it is. “odd” is a pseudonym for his work and a self-imposed moniker for this emerging artist from Rockford, now living in Chicago.  
    “Odd has become a constant for the way I respond to and digest the world around me,” writes Harlan in his Artist’s Statement for his Kortman Gallery exhibition, “it’s an odd world” opening Friday, April 23rd, Spring ArtScene weekend.
    Harlan’s idiosyncratic exhibition presents an eclectic mix of media including painting, illustration, photography, and embellished found objects. But all together, his seemingly unrelated works reflect his personal feelings and view of the world around him.
    “With the abundance of unknowns and possibilities in life, it can be easy to live in fear of the mystery and uncovered truths,” says Harlan. “However, stepping back and realizing how strange, how odd, living this human life is, helps me set aside fear.”
    “This is Andrew’s, or should I say odd’s first solo exhibition in the Kortman Gallery,” said Doc Slafkosky, gallery director. “His artistic perspective is definitely peculiar, but refreshing coming from a young, talented artist who is difficult to categorize. “it’s an odd world” is definitely an appropriate title for his intriguing, and often facetious works in this concept installation.”
    Opening receptions for “it’s an odd world,” featuring mixed media works by odd/Andrew Harlan is Friday, 5-9pm, and Saturday, 4-9pm, April 23rd & 24th (ArtScene Weekend) in the Kortman Gallery, located upstairs at J. R. Kortman Center for Design, 107 North Main Street in Downtown Rockford. The exhibit is free, and open to the public. Covid safe guidelines will be followed.
    The exhibit will run though May 31st. For more information call 815-968-0123.


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J. R. Kortman Center for Design
tag:jrkortman.com,2013:Post/1660720 2021-03-02T16:26:07Z 2021-12-06T07:35:51Z Explore and discover the convergence of art & design @ J.R. Kortman Center for Design & Gallery...open Tu-Fr, 11-6; Sa, 11-5

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J. R. Kortman Center for Design
tag:jrkortman.com,2013:Post/1637027 2021-01-07T21:20:18Z 2021-01-07T21:27:51Z Shop J.R. Kortman Center for Design, Tuesday-Friday, 11-6 and Saturday, 11-5

Explore J.R. Kortman for an intriguing shopping experience in Downtown Rockford. Don't miss "Balance: Art of the Mobile" the current exhibition upstairs in the Kortman  Gallery, featuring unique mobiles created by eight artists, including Molly Carter, John Deill, Lynn Fiischer, Joel Hotchkiss, Jeremy Klonicki, R. Scott Long, John Verl McNamara, and Matt Richards. The exhibition will run through the end of January.



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J. R. Kortman Center for Design
tag:jrkortman.com,2013:Post/1632249 2020-12-26T19:49:08Z 2020-12-26T22:53:27Z Merry Christmas & Happy New Year from J.R. Kortman Center for Design!

THANK YOU to all our customers for a successful holiday season here @ J.R. Kortman!

Holiday Hours: Open Tuesday & Wednesday (Dec. 29 & 30), 11-6, Thursday, Dec. 31, 1-4...Closed January 1-4.

We will resume normal hours Starting January, 4th: Tuesday-Friday, 11-6; Saturday, 11-5


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J. R. Kortman Center for Design