J. R. Kortman Center for Design / Kortman Gallery

Here it is...already the First First Friday (January 3rd) of 2014! J. R. Kortman Center for Design will be open til 9 and the Gallery will stay open even later to celebrate the closing of the "Symbol: Art Inspired by Art" group exhibition. We will have cool music from dj DAS and dj Edward Klutch along with Symbol 35's, a smooth beverage mixed up especially for you by Dennis Horton at the Gallery Bar. The holidays are over and time to get in the groove of the new year with a relaxing evening in our chillout lounge upstairs in the Kortman Gallery with a great sound system from Hear.More Music. So come Downtown, both east and west sides for intriguing shopping, great food, and a relaxing evening.

Happy New Year! J. R. Kortman Center for Design will close today (Dec. 31) @ 4pm to celebrate the passing of a good year...and bring in the the new...2014! Thank you everyone for a prosperous year both in the store and the Kortman Gallery..more good things to come in 2014...we'll keep you posted! We will resume normal hours of Monday through Saturday 10am to 6pm on January 2nd.

Give a gift of elegance and prestige that will make a lasting impression from Alessi of Italy. Beautiful quality and design in functional objects from some of the most accomplished designers and architects in the world...Michael Graves, Philippe Starck, Aldo Rossi, Richard Sappor, and Alessandro Mendini, etc. And all of Alessi products come packaged in great gift boxes that say this is something special. Alessi...recognized and celebrated around the world and available exclusively in Rockford at J. R. Kortman Center for Design.
Shop today, Monday & Tuesday (Christmas Eve) 10am to 6pm.

Shop in a relaxed, yet vibrant setting for extraordinary gifts that will be treasured for a lifetime for all the important people in your life. We're open Monday through Saturday 10am to 6pm, and Sunday, December 22nd, we will be open from noon to 6pm.

This year's addition to the Rockford Landmark Hand-painted Ornament Collection is the 35th anniversary Symbol ornament. This is the fourth edition of Symbol that we've issued, and we must admit, the most beautifully painted. Symbol is depicted in such an elegant, painterly style, reminiscent of classic book illustrations. Also new this year, handmade ornaments from around the world made from recycled materials, including hand cut ornaments made from cinnamon bark that are naturally scented. And for the design aficionado, modern ornaments featuring selected colors from the Pantone color charts! And, then there's the naked Santa glass ornament, along with the female torso ornament designed in Germany.

First Friday is going to be a special First Friday at J.R. Kortman Center for Design with extended store hours for fun and relaxing shopping in the store and cool music upstairs in the Kortman Gallery. Relax with a drink and see the holiday group exhibition "Symbol: Art Inspired by Art" while listening to great music from dj DAS (Dain Sundstedt). DAS will be spinning smooth and deep house records to create an inviting and social backdrop for the night.  DAS creates unique experiences in his mixes that connect with listeners and build creative energy.  Experience the DAS journey paired with Kortman Gallery sights and bar to make this night memorable. And, of course, Dennis Horton will be hosting the Gallery Bar...mixing up Symbol 35's, a new cocktail created for Symbol's 35th anniversary, and serving up authentic, festive Gluhwein, a hot holiday drink sure to warm up your evening. So start or finish your holiday shopping this First Friday  at J. R. Kortman and many other great shops, restaurants and bars Downtown Rockford!

This Saturday, November 30th, celebrate the opening of the holiday season...Downtown and J. R. Kortman Center for Design...like you never have before! Merry & Bright is a Christmas Party right on State Street with music, food, shopping and the lighting of the Downtown Christmas Tree at 6pm. J.R. Kortman will be open from 10am to 9pm or later with extraordinary shopping along with special prices on selected jewelry and the new 35th Anniversary edition of the Symbol ornament...one of many hand-painted Rockford Landmark collectable ornaments.
See "Symbol: Art inspired by Art" upstairs in the Kortman Gallery. We all have our own impression of Alexander Liberman's grand sculpture in Sinnissippi Park...come see how 35 of some of Rockfor'd most accomplished artists see Symbol. And to add to the festivities Tim "Santa"  Stotz will be hosting the Kortman Gallery Bar from 6pm on, just after the tree lighting. Tim will be mixing up Symbol 35's a drink created especially for this special exhibit along with other holiday cheer. It's Tim's birthday so stop by and wish him well and enjoy an evening at J. R. Kortman Center for Design and Downtown Rockford.