J. R. Kortman Center for Design / Kortman Gallery

Seeing Rockford artist Diane Rose Dailing’s art is like discovering newly uncovered drawings and sculpture from some uncertain ancient time, yet it also is like discovering fresh contemporary works that capture the classic beauty and alluring characteristics of the human figure. Dailing’s expressive, figurative drawings and sculpture can be seen starting Friday, February 6th in an exhibition titled, “Captured” at the Kortman Gallery in Downtown Rockford.
    Dailing, who has been creating drawings all her life, became intrigued with Pre-Columbian clay heads when she received a clay “trophy head” as a gift.
    “Clay heads were created to represent the number of the enemy killed in battle,” explains Dailing. “They look alike, anonymous and impersonal, and not all of those conquered were killed. Some were enslaved. This ancient idea of capturing a person in a work of art intrigued me since this is what inspires me with my drawings and my sculpture.”
    Dailing’s exhibition features both drawings of the human figure and sculpted clay heads that are more abstract than realistic. The small clay faces she presents in her show are people whose essence she strove to capture.
    “Some are actual acquaintances, some are people observed from afar, some are imaginary,” says Dailing. “I envisioned them looking stunned and defeated as I stole their likeness. My pieces in the exhibit represent people in the abstract, like the Pre-Hispanic clay figure that inspired me, but they are also captured objects, hung on the wall as hunters do their trophies”
    “Diane’s art is at once classic and contemporary,” says Doc Slafkosky, gallerist for the Kortman Gallery. “She’s a very talented artist who brings a mature style and sophistication to the Kortman Gallery.”
    Dailing received BA, MA and MFA degrees in Studio Art from the University of Iowa, with Figure Drawing as her area of emphasis. She has taught art in private and public schools, the Davenport Art Museum, Rockford Art Museum, and drawing classes at Black Hawk College and Rock Valley College.
     The Dailing exhibition, “Captured” will be will be on display through March 31st.The First Friday, February 6th opening reception will be from 5:30 to 9pm. The Kortman Gallery is located upstairs at J. R. Kortman Center for Design, 107 North Main Street. For further information call 815/968-0123 or visit www.jrkortman.com.

What: “Captured,” an exhibition of works by Diane Rose Dailing opening reception, First Friday, February 6th, 5:30 to 9:00pm.
When:  The exhibition runs through March 31st. Gallery & Store open Monday to Saturday, 10am – 6pm.
Where: Kortman Gallery, upstairs at J. R. Kortman Center for Design,
             107 North Main Street, Downtown Rockford
Admission: Free and open to the public

For the 3rd consecutive year, the Kortman  Gallery (second floor @ J. R. Kortman Center for Design) is one of the co-hosts of the Rockford Public Schools All-City high school art exhibition from January 8th through January 26th. Octane Interlounge and Conveyor Gallery are hosting the 2-dimensional works and Kortman Gallery is featuring 3-dimensional and 2-D student art. A reception for the artists and public is scheduled for Thursday evening, January 15th from 6pm to 8pm at all 3 venues. The student exhibition can be seen at the Kortman Gallery 10am to 6pm, Monday through Saturday, now through January 26th. The photos are a sampling of works on display in the Kortman Gallery.  Exhibition hours vary at the other 2 venues...please call in advance. Conveyor Gallery (317 West Jefferson), (815) 540-9554...Octane Interlounge (124 North Main), (815) 965-4012.

These are the last few days of the "Art & Design: Converging Creativity" exhibition. If you haven't seen this show or would like to see it again please stop by and see this very entertaining art show. The exhibit ends on Monday, January 5th. Once again, very Happy New Year...have a great 2015!

Come see our beautiful holiday storefront windows designed by the creative team at Scaryhouse. Our hats off to Scary Dan Gildea, Mari Gildea, and Sam Cornn who created the glittering, revolving fantasy Snow Palace and the Flashing ferris wheel that will keep you in the holiday spirit through the New Year! Speaking of New Year's, J. R. Kortman has that special gift from our store or an original work of art from the Kortman Gallery for your New Year's celebration...a gift that will be treasured for lifetime!

J. R. Kortman is now open on Sundays in December, 1–5pm. There's no place like home for the holidays and celebrate your hometown with Rockford themed gifts! This year 2 new hand-painted ornaments have been added to the Rockford Landmark Ornament Collection..."Blackhawk" Statue & St. Anthony Church. Also, metal bookend "Symbols," compact Rockford candles in souvenir tins, and new scented candles in a jar make great holiday party gifts or fun stocking stuffers. Shop Monday thru Saturday 10am to 6pm and Sundays 1–5pm. Check our Facebook page for more gift ideas throughout the season. See you soon!

This First Friday (Dec.5th) will be a fantastic evening at J. R. Kortman Center for Design. You will be able to Explore our store until 9pm and discover perfect gifts for the holidays. And then relax upstairs over A Berry Merry Martini served up by master bartender Dennis Horton surrounded by the Art+Design: Converging Creativity" group exhibition... AND.... enjoy Live musical performances (6-9pm) from 2 amazing young musicians, Michael Campa and Marcus Tecarro. Michael has been playing piano for around 7 and a half years, and also plays guitar, bass, auxiliary percussion, and ukulele.  He takes piano lessons/orchestra lessons at the Music Academy of Rockford, along with his friend and fellow pianist/ukulelist/violinist, Marcus Tecarro. The two will be playing music ranging from Bach to Debussy, and Beethoven to Bill Evans. This will really be a holiday treat for everyone this First First Friday in the Kortman Gallery and Downtown Rockford!

You won't want to miss "Merry & Bright! Stroll on State" Saturday evening (Nov. 29) from 4 to 9pm. Make sure you stop by J. R. Kortman Center for Design and see our holiday windows designed by the creative team at ScaryHouse...Concept artists "Scary" Dan Gildea, Mari Rocha Gildea, and Sam Cornn have created "Snow Palace," a beautiful visually interactive display that will make the season Merry & Bright for all who see it. You'll see the "abominable snow monkeys" who have come to protect the Snow Palace where Santa stores all the cool gifts from around the world. Step inside J. R. Kortman and EXPLORE the colorful gift ideas that are inside the shimmering white Snow Palace!
     And then make your way upstairs to the Kortman Gallery and see the amazing "Art+Design: Converging Creativity" holiday group exhibition. See what wonderful works 40 great Rockford artists created from 5 intriguing design objects. Tim Stotz will be tending the Kortman Gallery Bar serving up "Berry, Merry Martinis" and hot Gluhwein created by Stephanie Caltagerone. Relax with holiday cheer overlooking the holiday ice rink placed on Main Street right in front of our store! Hope to see you Saturday night...Merry & Bright!

As we approach the Thanksgiving holiday here are some ides that can add some fun and elegance to you holiday table...starting with a holiday guest book to fill with thoughts of gratitude, elegant stainless steel serving utensils, 3-tiered food presenter, beautiful gold & silver bird salt & pepper, glass domed butter dish by Michael Graves, and hostess guide to entertaining...