J. R. Kortman Center for Design / Kortman Gallery

Spring is the season for new beginnings and landmark life events. It is the season for Weddings & Graduations…and a great way to celebrate and commemorate these new beginnings is with a great gift from J. R. Kortman Center for Design. Find lasting treasures for the Bride & Groom or the graduate…something memorable or practical or both. Beautiful heirloom quality hand-polished stainless steel objects of design & function from Alessi for the wedding couple or cool Lexon computer briefcase, backpack, or travel alarm for the graduate. And if your getting married…treat your each member of your bridal party with a personal gift from J. R. Kortman. We also provide bridal registry services. “Register for things you need at a department store…register for things you want at J. R. Kortman Center for Design.”

We are honored to be the subject of a large scale (6′ x 4′) photograph by internationally recognized Rockford based photographer Nels Akerlund. The Rockford Art Museum exhibition titled, “Exposed” features beautiful photos, not only by Nels, but also Brian Hampton and Brad Nordlof. Nels photographed more then twenty people who have made significant contributions to the business, political, or cultural life of the city of Rockford. These grand and colorful photos by all three artists need to be seen in person at the museum to be truly appreciated. Pay a visit to RAM and see this show. It will be an enjoyable time well spent!

“Mothers hold their children’s hands for a short while, but their hearts forever.” Show your mom how much she is in your heart with an exceptional gift from J. R. Kortman. Buy her something practical and then add something sweet and personal inside. Here are some ideas: Each of these practical gifts (sold separately) “holds” something special “inside.”

Artist Barry Treu sees lines and shapes and their relationship to each other in every day common objects that happen to be arranged by chance. It is these “found” visual compositions that are the inspiration for his abstract acrylic paintings.
On Friday, April 5th “Abstractions–observed, recorded and found,” an exhibition of recent paintings by Barry Treu opens in the Kortman Gallery in Downtown Rockford.
“My artwork often begins with photographing ‘found’ compositions, such as chance arrangements of theater props, dismantled and placed against a wall with no regard for color, shape or design,” said Treu. “Once photographed, they are printed out, drawn and transferred to canvas with charcoal. From there my work evolves through the layering of texture and color with paint.”
According to Kortman gallery director Doc Slafkosky, 

Treu’s art is a “breath of fresh air.” “It is refreshing to see work that is contemporary and elegant,” says Slafkosky. “Barry is a serious painter whose timeless works can be mesmerizing and visually challenging, yet would fit in any environment.”
Barry Treu recently returned to his Midwest roots by accepting the position of Director of Education at the Freeport Art Museum in Freeport, Illinois. He received his M.F.A. from the University of Wisconsin in Madison. Treu has taught university level classes in drawing, painting, sculpture and computer arts, worked as a sculptor in a mint, and has thoroughly enjoyed the museum education field for the past 7 years.
The opening receptions for “Abstractions–observed, recorded and found,” paintings by Barry Treu will be Friday, April 5th, from 5 to 9pm and Saturday, April 6th from 3 to 9pm.The opening coincides with First Fridays Downtown and the Rockford ArtScene weekend. The art will be on display through May 18th.. The 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: “ Abstractions–observed, recorded and found” an exhibition of paintings by Berry Treu
When: Opening receptions: Friday, April 5, 5 to 9pm (featuring music from DJ Slick Vick) and Saturday, April 6, 3 to 9pm. The exhibition runs through May 18th. 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

Well. Easter is here…but, where is Spring?! If anything, there is light at the end of Winter’s tunnel and you can hurry it along with something colorful and warm from J. R. Kortman Center for Design. Fill your Easter basket with colorful and fun objects for that will make this season bright and cheerful. Keep warm this Spring with an adventurous scarf. There is still enough cool weather left to appreciate the warmth and style of a colorful and fashionable scarf from J. R. Kortman. Scarves with unique fabrics and designs that reflect your taste and style are now on Sale through March 31st. Enjoy a savings of 25% off on the scarf of your choice.
If you haven’t seen “The Bathroom Diaries,” an exhibition of drawings by Mindy Joy Nutter Young, there is still time. The show will be up through April 1st. Then comes Rockford ArtScene weekend, April 5 & 6…we will be presenting “Abstractions–observed, recorded and found” paintings by Barry Treu.

There is still enough cool weather left to appreciate the warmth and style of a colorful and fashionable scarf from J. R. Kortman Center for Design. Scarves with unique fabrics and designs that reflect your taste and style are now on Sale through March 31st. Enjoy a savings of 25% off on the scarf of your choice.

Spring is trying very hard to poke it’s way through this relentless winter, and we thought we would help it along with all these great shades of green in honor of St. Patrick’s Day. Spring is just around the corner and you can brighten your environment with something fun and functional in green. Also, stop by J. R. Kortman Center for Design to see great brief cases and travel bags from Lexon. These elegant yet rugged bags project your taste & style at work and on the go.

Lexon Bags displayed with other cool designs from Lexon, such as radios, umbrellas and pens.

Chinese warrior “dog toy” peeks out of German made plastic tote overseeing an Alessi sugar dispensor, rabbit shaped scissors, between a sweeet porcelain vase and spring-gripping egg cup. Also pictured are an aligator knife and pen with “lego” like journal and captivationg wind-ups.

Help fade the winter blues this First Friday @ J. R. Kortman Center for Design. Shop our store until 9pm and make your way upstairs to see the powerful and exquisite drawings by Mindy Joy Nutter Young in her provocative and entertaining exhibition, "The Bathroom Diaries." Enjoy a relaxing drink from the Kortman Gallery Bar while listening to music from the unedited playlist of Tom & Sarah McNamara's iPod played through a great sound system from Hear.More.Music. The bar will stay open beyond 9pm so there is plenty of time to catch more great art, food, and entertainment all over Downtown Rockford this First Friday, March 1st, 2013. See you soon!

Watches, umbrellas, radios, briefcases and backpacks...all seen in a sophisticated new light from international design team at LEXON of France. J. R. Kortman Center for Design is pleased to provide these cutting edge products from Lexon. Beauty becomes simple and elegant with all of these functional objects that make a statement about your taste and style. See these and other wonderful things for you and your home @ J. R. Kortman...Monday through Saturday, 10am to 6pm. 815.968.0123.