For the first time in more than 30 years the St. Patrick's Day Parade will march down Main Street...and pass right by J.R.Kortman Center for Design. We will have some tables out in front where you can relax over an Irish beer or (if it's too cold) you can watch the parade from upstairs in the Kortman Gallery. Our favorite leprechaun bartender Dennis Horton will be on hand to man the Kortman Gallery Bar. And, of course, you can shop for cool green things in the store which will be open 'til 6pm on Saturday. You can also see work by one of our favorite "Irish-Italian" artists, Jennifer Mullin on exhibit now through March 15th in the Kortman Gallery. An rud a lionas an tsuil lionann se an croi!
This Friday, March 4th, is another First Friday, Downtown and @ J.R. Kortman Center for Design & Gallery...see the colorful works by Jennifer Mullin, relax over a drink served up by Michael LaLoggia tending the Kortman Gallery Bar, and groove to music revealed from Dan Minick's iPod...."What's on your iPod?"™ Always fun on First Friday! See you here!
"What's on Dan's iPod?"
Michael will keep your drink fresh!
"Lucky in Love," mixed media art work by Jennifer Mullin, 70-inch freshwater pearl & onyx necklace, "motherboard" heart, recycled materials heart with button, "Eye Heart," beaded art work by Betsy Youngquist, and pewter pocket hearts by Vilmain. These and other sweet things now at J.R. Kortman Center for Design.
Jennifer Mullin Creates Comfortable Places with Collage for Kortman Gallery
Rockford artist Jennifer Mullin looks through magazines and is inspired by the home furnishings she sees. The found images become elements in her delicate and comfortable interiors she creates in her small-scale works opening Friday, February 4th in the Kortman Gallery.
The exhibition titled “In My Place” features mixed-media new works by Mullin created with collage and pencil drawings resulting in colorful and seductive images of interior spaces.
“I love flipping through those glossy magazine pages in search of eye-catching colors and patterns,” says Mullin. “The creation of comfortable space has developed as an underlying thread in all of my work. Within the confines of each piece, I aim to create a beautiful place that I would enjoy spending time in.”
Kortman Gallery director Doc Slafkosky says the small pieces are perfect for this time of the year. “Her charming and warm images are a cozy contrast to the cold, harsh winter weather,” said Slafkosky. “And these sweet and endearing art works are available just in time for Valentine’s Day.”
Mullin is a 1998 graduate of the University of Wisconsin Madison and currently teaches art at Boylan High School.
The opening reception for Jennifer Mullin’s “In My Place” will be from 5:30 to 9:00pm on Friday, February 4th in the Kortman Gallery, located upstairs at J.R. Kortman Center for Design, 107 North Main Street, Downtown Rockford. For more information call 815/968-0123 or visit www. jrkortman.com.
What: “In My Place” an exhibition of works by Jennifer Mullin
Where: Kortman Gallery, upstairs at J.R.Kortman Center for Design, 107 North Main, Downtown Rockford
When: Opening reception, Friday, February 4th, 5:30pm-9:00pm. Gallery open Monday–Saturday, 10 to 6pm. Exhibition runs through March 19th, 2011. Free admission.
Information: 815-968-0123 or www.jrkortman.com
February 4th is also First Friday...Dennis Horton will be doing his bartending thing @ the Kortman Gallery Bar and we will revealing music from Anne O'Keefe's iPod! "What's on your iPod?"
To see images of the Jennifer Mulin exhibition click on "Current Show" option to the left under Kortman Gallery on the J. R. Kortman website.
Rockford's "Symbol," by internationally celebrated artist Alexander Liberman, soars in Sinnissippi Park along the east bank of the Rock River inspiring all who drive, bike, or walk by. This exciting piece of art is now available in a miniature 2-D metal "replica" which is not only a great souvenir, but can be used as a bookend, votive stand, or expressive decorative object.
The small-scaled "Symbol", which also comes as an ornament, was designed by J.R. Kortman along with artist Ben Pettee who manufactured each piece in his North Main Street studio here in Rockford. The large "bookend" version is $20 and the small "voitve" one is $10. Our store window features these sweet little "Symbols" with an original maquette which was created by Mr. Liberman and sold as a fundraiser for the this world class sculpture. The maqeutte is on loan to J.R. Kortman courtesy of Roland & Louise Poska.
Probably the most influential architect of the last century was Frank Lloyd Wright. J. R. Kortman celebrates his great design genius with a range of products from pottery to neck ties. A replica of "Flower in the Crannied Wall" statue designed by Wright and Richard Bock in 1902 for the Susan Lawrence Dana House in Springfield, Illinois is availble for $125. The distinctive pottery is made right here in Illinois at the Haeger Pottery Company in East Dundee.
Lego fans will find the "Falling Water" and Guggenheim Museum kits both challenging and rewarding. And a "Concretus" paperweight ($32) will add a sophisticated accent to any desk top or coffee table. J.R. Kortman Center for Design...always fascinating.
Hi! Hope your New Year is off to a great start. Continue the celebration by heading Downtown for First Friday @ J.R. Kortman Center for Design. The store will be open 'til 9 and the gallery bar will be open at least 'til 9 or later, so we can party like it's 1999 or 2011...whichever is more fun! Dennis Horton will be mixing up fun upstairs in the bar...and music?... we will reveal the personal, at random, unedited playlist of Chris Wachoviak's iPod. "MainfraiM...Habitat for Art" featuring the works of Pam Kehoe-Peterson & Jeremy Klonicki is in it's final days in the Kortman Gallery. First Friday will be a great opportunity to meet up with friends and see this fascinating show. Hope to see you this first First Friday of the New Year!
Doc Slafkosky
J.R. Kortman Center for Design
815/968-0128
www.jrkortman.com