Artists celebrate Rockford Landmarks in Kortman Gallery Exhibit opening Friday, Nov. 23rd

 For 15 years J. R. Kortman Center for Design has been featuring hand-painted ornaments depicting Rockford landmarks. To celebrate this milestone year, the Kortman Gallery will be presenting a group holiday exhibition simply titled, “Landmarks,” opening Friday, November 23rd. Twenty-four of some of Rockford’s most accomplished artists will show works inspired by landmarks featured in the Rockford Landmark Ornament Collection.
Each artist was given a blank 7” by 7” shadow box and assigned an ornament representing a local landmark. The artists were asked to create a piece of art, inspired by the landmark, that would fit within the 7” by 7” space. “Since this is a special holiday show, we wanted this exhibit to feature small scale art, so the shadow box constrains the size of each piece,” said Doc Slafkosky, gallery director. “Each work of art will be displayed next to the corresponding Rockford Landmark Ornament creating two very special holiday treasures.” Whoever purchases the art will also receive the ornament that inspired the art.
Landmarks that inspired the artists include Sinnissippi Lagoon, the Faust, Symbol, Anderson Gardens, the Coronado and Midway Theaters, NIcholas Conservatory and more,
“The exhibit is the final in a series of art shows influenced by local architecture,” Slafkosky said. “Last holiday season we presented ‘The Wright Inspiration’ with art inspired by the Laurent House, and our previous show ‘Urban Treasures: Renaissance through Imagination’ presented works influenced by four historic downtown buildings.”
Participating artists include Leslie Arbetman, Sarah Bell, Michael Bugler, Jesus Correa, Ryan Davis, Joseph Goral, Keith Grace, Shari Grace, Karen Harding, Drew Helge, Matt Herbig, Margret 
Hesler-Hynes, Javier Jimenez, Lisa Jimenez, J. Patrick Jones, Jeremy Klonicki, Norm Knott, R. Scott Long, Jeanne Ludeke, Cherri Rittenhouse, Sarah Danielle Stewart, Robert Sunday, Kyle Wolfe, and Betsy Youngquist.
An opening reception for  “Landmarks,” will be Friday, November 23rd from 5:30 to 9pm. The art  will be on display through January 5th, 2013.  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: “Landmarks,” a holiday group exhibition 
When: Opening reception: Friday, November 23rd, 5:30 to 9pm. The exhibition runs through                      January 5th, 2013. Gallery & Store open Monday to Saturday, 10am – 6pm. Sundays (in December), 1pm to 5pm.
Where: Kortman Gallery, upstairs at J. R. Kortman Center for Design, 
             107 North Main Street, Downtown Rockford
Admission: Free 

 

 

Keep fashionably warm with a cool scarf from J. R. Kortman!

 As the cold weather approaches, stay fashionably warm with a sophisticated, colorful, and fun scarf from J. R. Kortman Center for Design. New designs just in feature a broad selection of styles, fabrics, and imagery for both women and men. Winter fashion can be so much more entertaining with a warm and vivid scarf from J. R. Kortman Center for Design. Visit us Downtown Rockford at 107 North Main Street and don't miss "Urban Treasures: Renaissance through Imagination," a group exhibition upstairs in the Kortman Gallery.

 

First Friday (Nov. 2) @ J. R. Kortman: Pablo Korona's iPod playlist revealed, Poska book signing, & Dennis Horton hosts the Gallery Bar

Looking forward to this First Friday (Nov. 2nd) at J. R. Kortman Center for Design for a fun filled evening Downtown. Shop our store until 9pm and relax upstairs in the Kortman Gallery where Dennis Horton will be tending the Kortman Gallery Bar open even later. Internationally recognized Rockford artist Roland Poska will be signing his "Great Human Race" book. See "Urban Treasures:  Renaissance through Imagination," an exhibition featuring works by 12 Rockford artists while enjoying music from Pablo Korona's iPod played through a state of the art sound system from Hear.More.Music. 
Pablo Korona is a storyteller and creator of OurCityOurStory.com. Stop by to talk story ideas if you have them, and talk about his newest feature that will revolve around Veterans. Do you have a Rockford story worth telling? Talk to him and others at this First Friday show!
If you don't feel like talking, just dance.

 

 

Celebrate Halloween & Day of the Dead with something eerie from J. R. Kortman

Do not be afraid to find something spooky cool this Halloween season at J.R. Kortman. Spooky things for Halloween and folk art from Day of the Dead are cool enough to show off all year 'round. And for a savory trick or treat "bring home the bacon" with a wacky treat or collectible from our bacon collection. Visit us Downtown and see "Urban Treasures: Renaissance through Imagination" in the Kortman Gallery featuring intriguing works by 12 Rockford artists...now through November 17th.

"Urban Treasures: Renaissance through Imagination" opens Friday, Oct. 5...ArtScene weekend

Four historic and architecturally significant buildings in Downtown Rockford are the inspiration and focus of “Urban Treasures: Renaissance through Imagination,” a group exhibition opening in the Kortman Gallery on October 5th and 6th (ArtScene weekend).
Twelve Rockford artists were invited to create art inspired or influenced by four prominent, yet endangered buildings: The Midway Theater, The Armory, The Elks Club, and the Ziock/Amerock Building. Multi-media works are influenced by each of the buildings' unique design characteristics, historic stature, and imaginative future.
According to gallery director Doc Slafkosky each of the 4 buildings was selected not only for their unique and historic architectural styles, but also for their prominent locations in Downtown Rockford. 
“Most importantly, these endangered treasures also have a great amount of potential in the future to be something very special,” said Slafkosky. “Each of the buildings serves a very different purpose, but they all could be a very important part of the cultural life of our city, since their future use will most likely involve the general public.”
Participating artists include: Ryan Davis, R. Scott Long, Doug Connell of Engine Studio, Robert Sunday, Shari Grace, Keith Grace, Kyle Wolfe, Michael Bugler, Jeremy Klonicki, Matt Herbig, Margret Hesler Hynes, Betsy Youngquist, and Gary W. Anderson Architects.
An opening reception for  “Urban Treasures: Renaissance through Imagination,” will be Friday, October 5th from 5 to 9pm, and Saturday, October 6th from 3 to 9 pm which coincides with Fall Rockford ArtScene weekend. The art  will be on display through November 17th, 2012.  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: “Urban Treasures: Renaissance through Imagination,” a group exhibition 
When: Opening reception: Friday, October 5th, 5 to 9pm and Saturday, October 6th, 
             from 3 to 9pm (ArtScene weekend). The exhibition runs through                     
             November 17th. Gallery & Store open Monday to Saturday, 10am – 6pm.
Where: Kortman Gallery, upstairs at J. R. Kortman Center for Design, 
             107 North Main St.
Admission: Free 

 

 

Kortman Gallery presents Point! Bar @ Greenwich Village Art Fair & After Hours Party @ Rockford Art Museum

Once again, Kortman Gallery presents Point! Bar at the 64th annual Greenwich Village Art Fair on the grounds of the Rockford Art Museum at Riverfront Museum Park, Saturday & Sunday, September 15 & 16. Point! Bar will be featuring art fair favorites...Love Lemon & Sock Monkey martinis along with Bloody Mary’s, Screwdrivers, and other vodka favorites served up from our “cocktail lounge” situated right in the middle of the fair. While enjoying the great art from over 100 artists, stop by for a relaxing drink. And on Saturday evening, everyone is invited to Point! Bar’s After Hours Party from 5pm to 8pm featuring D. J. Fuzz (Daniel Minick) “spinning” the coolest tunes. This is a chance to unwind after the fair, show off your art purchases, and mingle with the artists. Featured bartenders include Dennis Horton, Chris Doyle, Michael LaLoggia, and Tim Stotz. Looking forward to seeing you at the fair!

 

 

First Friday (Sept. 7) @ J.R. Kortman...Britney Lindgren's iPod, Dennis Horton @ the Bar, plus Chinese Hats

    First of all, we would like to thank everyone for a fun and successful On The Waterfront weekend! However, if you didn’t come downtown for OTW, come down this First Friday evening (September 7) and stop by the store and relax upstairs over a refreshing drink from bar host Dennis Horton @ the Kortman Gallery Bar. And while in the gallery, you can see “Mao Zi: an exhibition of Chinese hats.” This show will run through the end of September. The hats, which are little collectable works of art, would also make great holiday gifts.
And to keep the party going, we are featuring cool music from the unedited playlist from the iPod of Britney Lindgren of Pirate Ninja Print Shop. Britney & Jarrod are a creative force in Downtown’s burgeoning cultural scene. Britney’s iPod will be played through a great sound system by Hear. More. Music.
And if you are still looking for more downtown fun...all during the day Saturday is the Screw City Beer Festival happening right here @ State & Main Street. J. R.Kortman is within festival grounds, so stop in if your attending the beer fest. Non-festival goers will still have access to our store. 
And next weekend (September 15 & 16) is the 64th annual Greenwich Village Art fair on the grounds of the Rockford Art Museum. We will be there with the Kortman Gallery “Point Lounge” serving our signature drinks...the Love Lemon & Sock Monkey martinis...for the benefit of RAM.
Hope we see you at all or one of these great events!

 

 

Fun with Martini’s & Chinese hats @ J.R. Kortman...On The Waterfront ‘12

        Making their triumphant return to the Kortman Gallery outside bar, the Sock Monkey Martini™ and the now classic Love Lemon Martini™ will once again be the featured cocktails as this year’s On The Waterfront’s favorite martini. The Love Lemon Martini™ was inspired by a festival kids’ treat that was served years ago at “Beattie Is...” (back in the ’70’s) and Rockford Art Museum’s “Greenwich Village Art Fairs”. The idea was to suck the juice from the lemon through the peppermint stick. The stick not only sweetened the juice but added a cooling sensation.

But the Love Lemon Martini™ is a very adult treat... refreshingly delicious, consisting of vodka, Limoncello (an Italian lemon liqueur), and fresh lemon juice garnished with a slice of lemon pierced by a peppermint stick.
The sock monkey, Rockford’s unofficial mascot and party animal is the inspiration for this playful adult cocktail...the Sock Monkey Martini™.  A blend of coconut vodka, creme de cacao, banana liqueur, laced with chocolate syrup and garnished with a cherry, the Sock Monkey Martini will make you go bananas for another one!
Also featured at the Kortman Gallery Bar will be Miller Lite, Blue Moon, Amstel Light and Heineken beers along with a selection of wine and soft drinks.
Also, this year the Kortman Gallery is presenting a visual treat for the entire family...Mao Zi: An exhibiton of traditional Chinese hats. Most of the hats on exhibit are older, representing colorful folk art and provincial traditions, while some of the hats are newer, influenced by the cultural revolution. Paintings and sculptures influenced by Chinese artist Yue Minjun are also included in the show. These treasured hats are collectable little  works of art and are available for purchase.
To celebrate this exhibit during On The Watefront, the store will also be selling fun, colorful Chinese party hats that can be worn while sipping our signature martini’s or to show off throughout the festival.
Stop by the Kortman Gallery Bar and relax in our tent, or should we say, our Main Street lounge...see you Labor Day Weekend, On The Waterfront ’12, downtown Rockford.

Note: The Kortman outside bar and upstairs gallery will be open Friday evening at least ‘til midnite and Saturday & Sunday from 2pm at least ‘til midnite or later depending on demand. Due to the festival, store hours may vary...please phone ahead 815-968-0123 for more information.

"Mao Zi: an exhibition of traditional Chinese hats" opens First Friday, August 3rd @ Kortman Gallery

 Traditional Chinese Hats on Exhibit at Kortman Gallery


“Mao Zi: an exhibition of traditional Chinese hats” opens on Friday, August 3rd in the Kortman Gallery in Downtown Rockford. The colorful, mostly hand-made hats represent different periods and provinces of China. Mao Zi is the Chinese term for hat.
“As in most cultures, hats tell a story or represent social status or even express ceremony or celebration,” says gallery director Doc Slafkosky. “Many of the hats on display are hats created for children by family members, so you could even say that hats represent family endearment.”
Most of the hats on exhibit are older, representing colorful folk art and provincial traditions, while some of the hats are newer, influenced by the cultural revolution. Also included in the show are painting and sculpture replications influenced by Chinese artist Yue Minjun that feature hats.
“These hats are not only little works of art, but personal objects. This exhibit presents a chance to get a first hand glimpse, both visual and tactile, of the culture of this vast and compelling country,” Slafkosky said. “Gallery patrons are welcome to touch the hats’ fabrics and other decorative materials.”

An opening reception for “Mao Zi: an exhibition of traditional Chinese hats” will be Friday, August 3rd from 5:30 to 9pm which coincides with First Friday Downtown. The hats will be on display through September 8th, 2012.  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: “Mao Zi” an exhibition of traditional Chinese hats 
When: Opening reception: Friday, August 3rd, 5:30 to 9pm. The exhibition runs through                     
             September 8th. Gallery & Store open Monday to Saturday, 10am – 6pm.
Where: Kortman Gallery, upstairs at J. R. Kortman Center for Design, 
             107 North Main St.
Admission: Free