The purse is more than a fashion statement in Kortman Gallery holiday group exhibition , now through Jan 4th

 

  The Purse: it’s a functional object, fashion statement, a private space, and even a status symbol. And Friday, November 22nd, the purse is a work of art when more 30 Rockford artists present their visual interpretation of the purse in a holiday group exhibition titled “The Purse: art, design, fashion, function” in the Kortman Gallery.
    The exhibit will feature works in a variety of media from ceramics, fabric, watercolor, and painting, to sculpture, printmaking, digital imagery, and functional objects.
    “We thought it would be interesting to merge fashion and art in this gallery commissioned show,” said Doc Slafkosky, gallery director. “The purse has not only a practical aspect, but also a long history of being an expression of design and prestige from folk art to haute couture. It’s exciting to see how this diverse group of artists takes this idea and interprets it in their specific medium.”
        Seeing this exhibition is sure to be a fun, entertaining, and thought provoking experience says co-owner Jerry Kortman.
       ”Artists have taken the purse theme and made it their own,” said Kortman. ”From artist Becky Pelley’s nod to Magritte, to Kyle Wolfe’s whimsical and colorful digital imagery to R. Scott Long’s hand-made leather functional purse to John Deill’s 3-D assemblage, there will something for everyone.”
    Ceramic artist Lynn Fischer-Carlson says she is intrigued by the purse and how it has become both a fashion statement and a status symbol for women…and men. “My ceramic sculptural purses are titled “Vanitas” in reference to a visual art genre which often characterizes still life works with contrasting symbols of wealth and the futility of excess and greed.”
    “A woman’s purse has always been considered a private, personal space. You would never let anyone look into you purse without permission,” said Margret Hynes who created a purse that is ironically made of see-through mesh material.  
    Participating artists include Alison Weust, Andrew Harlan, Alex Taylor, Balta Ramirez, Becky Pelley, Betsy Youngquist, Brian Hierstein, Carmen Turner, Carrie Johnson, David Menard, Elizabeth Horvath, Ellie Pinzarrone, Jacob Polhill, Javier Jimenez, Jenny Mathews, Jeremy Klonicki, Jesus Correa, Joe Tallman, John Deill, Kelly Steward, Kyle Wolfe, Laura Gomel,Lisa Jimenez, Lynn Fischer Carlson, Margret Hynes, Michelle Dorr,  Molly Carter, Norm Knott, R. Scott Long, Rene Zavala Castanedas, Sarah Reed-McNamara, Sherrie Dorr, Una Ryan, and Valerie Olafson.
    “The Purse: art, design, fashion, function” group exhibition in the Kortman Gallery opens with an artist’s reception on Friday, November 22nd from 5:30 to 9pm. The gallery is located upstairs at J. R. Kortman Center for Design, 107 North Main Street in Downtown Rockford. The exhibit, which is free and open to the public, will run through January 4th, 2020. For more information call 815-968-0123 or visit www.jrkortman.com.

Art, Design, Pop Culture infiltrates artist Jacob Polhill’s Kortman Gallery exhibition, now through November 16

Artist Jacob Polhill grew up in a world surrounded by the visual excitement of pop culture through social media, video, print, and consumer products. His Kortman Gallery exhibition “Out of the Box,” opening Friday, October 4th, translates the lexicon of street art, contemporary and vintage cartoons, consumerism, and the media into colorful bold art and design in paintings, posters, and 3-D objects.

“I love to create my 2-D works using bright, vibrant, eye catching color palettes. Colors have feelings, they evoke emotions. They can literally vibrate next to each other if you use them the right way.”
Polhill, a Rockford native, is an emerging artist and designer who is currently based in Chicago and studying Industrial Design at the University of Illinois at Chicago.
His Kortman Gallery exhibition will feature not only his bold, imaginative paintings, but also 3-D objects. In 3-D dimensional design, Polhill says he is studying how to make objects and systems more beautiful to make people who use them have a better experience.
“People don’t realize this, but beautiful objects that have been studied for their aesthetics, aren’t just about making something beautiful, but also something functional. I believe people think that beautiful objects actually work better, even if they’re essentially the same object as something that is not as aesthetically pleasing”
Polhill doesn’t shy away from a challenge. Besides creating his drawings and paintings with his “bubbly creatures” and his studies in graphic and industrial design, he also dabbles in photography, video, and merchandise design for his friends who are musicians.
“We are thrilled to be exhibiting Jacob’s exciting work in the Kortman Gallery,” says Doc Slafkosky, gallery director. “His work is vibrant, visually exciting, and refreshingly entertaining. We think he’s has a great career ahead of him in art and design.”
Polhill says he spent a long time trying to fit himself into a box. That’s why now he’s just creating and being himself, “Out Of The Box.”
“Out of the Box” exhibition by Jacob Polhill in the Kortman Gallery opens with an artist’s reception on Friday, October 4th from 5:00 to 10pm and Saturday, October 5th, 4:00 to 9:00pm, Fall ArtScene weekend.  The gallery is located upstairs at J. R. Kortman Center for Design, 107 North Main Street in Downtown Rockford. The exhibit will run through November 16th. For more information call 815-968-0123 or visit www.jrkortman.com.

Steve Nofsinger creates unexpected objects of art through 3-D printing in Kortman Gallery exhibit now through Septmeber 28th


Rockford artist Steve Nofsinger is use to failure. In fact, failure is an occupational hazard endured when working in a medium at the cutting edge of technology like 3-D printing.
    His new Kortman Gallery solo exhibition, “The Power of Failure Compels You” is a showcase of how failure influences the creative process for Nofsinger a.k.a. Karate Horse, a multi instrumental artist and maker. The exhibition, opening Friday, July14th, takes you on a tongue in cheek journey with 3-D printed objects, lighting, and hand made fabrications.
    “3-D printing inherently produces a lot of failures especially in the learning stages, and failure can teach you so much in the creative process,” says Nofsinger. “I feel like too many people suppress themselves and settle in their own lives because they are living with the fear of failure.”
    Nofsinger, 33, life long Rockford resident, has been tinkering and creating artwork from an early age.
    “Ever since I was a little human, I was always out in the garage tinkering and letting my imagination do its work,” Nofsinger said.
    He has shown his work in various arts venues and events over the past several years, most notably, a large scale collaborative installation in the lobby of the Nordlof Center with artist Jeremy Klonicki. The work featured a giant 25 foot wide bird sculpture created entirely out of reclaimed materials.
    “The Power of Failure Compels You” exhibition by Steve Nofsinger in the Kortman Gallery opens with an artist’s reception on Friday, July 12th from 5:30 to 9pm. The gallery is located upstairs at J. R. Kortman Center for Design, 107 North Main Street in Downtown Rockford. The exhibit will run through September 28th. For more information call 815-968-0123.

Artist Nick Cashmere annoounces the winning number for his work of art, "Fugitve"!

Beloit artist Nick Cashmere whose exhibition, "Mischiefs in heat & sawdust" that just ended in the Kortman Gallery, has drawn the winning number for his work of art, "Fugitive". If you participated in this intriguing concept art, and your envelope contains the number "35," you have won "Fugitive," mixed media work by Nick Cashmere! Contact the Kortman Gallery at 815-968-0123 or doc@jrkortman.com...or stop by with your winning number and claim this cool work of art!

Artist Nick Cashmere explains his buy/win "piece" of art concept in his Kortman Gallery exhibiton...now thru June 30th

Buy a “piece” of the art and become part of the art! Artist Nick Cashmere lets you not only own a “share” of his work “Fugitive,” but you also become a participant in the creative process. When you purchase a numbered shard from the smashed up clown figurine featured in the piece, you earn a chance to win the entire work of art! Even if you don’t win the drawing at the end of June, you are forever artistically connected to the other “share” owners! Buy you shard today in the Kortman Gallery! Hear Nick tell about this intriguing art participation concept/contest:



Nick Cashmere's well-crafted, thought provoking art works now on exhibit in the Kortman Gallery through June 30th!

Make Father's Day especially memorable when you give a gift of fine art...present Dad with an extraordinary work of art by Beloit artist Nick Cashmere. Nick creates beautiful works in wood with 3-dimensional applications, and intricate imagery drawn with a wood-burning stylus. Nick's work can be seen Tuesday thru Friday, 11a-6p, and Saturday, 11a-5p upstairs in the Kortman Gallery.


Nick Cashmere mixes unique craftsmanship and imagery in wood for Kortman Gallery art exhibit, April 12 - May 31


Rather than paint, brushes, and canvas, artist Nick Cashmere creates intriguing works of art using unconventional tools applying striking images to wood. His unique mixed media art works can be seen in “Mischiefs in heat and sawdust: works of Nick Cashmere” opening Friday, April 12th in the Kortman Gallery in Downtown Rockford.
    Cashmere’s visual play on words are created with wood-burning tools, precisely cut 3-D applications, and off-beat drawn or photo images. Pulling this off, not only requires an artistic eye, but skilled craftsmanship.
    “The ideas for my work usually starts with a single word or image, something that gives me a feeling or idea that I latch onto,” says Cashmere. “I tend to choose common imagery. My main interest lies in what happens when things are taken and locked into a space with another seemingly unrelated subject.”
    “Nick’s juxtaposition of common images, combined with his unique technique and craftsmanship make his art not only visually challenging, but entertaining,” said Doc Slafkosky, Kortman gallery director. “When we first discovered Nick’s work, we were taken with his unusual wood-burning technique and use of materials. We have never seen anything quite like it!”
    Cashmere has also created new works for this exhibition that are not only visually playful, but have hands-on, interactive components that let the viewer become actively engaged in his art.
    “I want the viewer to not just look at my work, but also experience it,” said Cashmere. “I have several pieces in the show that patrons can actually play with. I hope people will enjoy seeing my work and have some fun at the same time.”
    “Mischiefs in heat and sawdust: works of Nick Cashmere” will open during Spring ArtScene weekend in the Kortman Gallery with opening receptions on Friday, April 12th from 5 to 10pm, and Saturday 4-9pm. The gallery is located upstairs at J. R. Kortman Center for Design, 107 North Main Street in Downtown Rockford. The exhibit will run through May 31st. For more information call 815-968-0123.

"LOVE BUGS"...exhibiton featuring watercolors by Jenny Mathews opens February 8th in the Kortman Gallery...shop J.R. Kortman Tues–Fri, 11-6, Sat. 11-5

When you think about insects, it doesn’t usually conjure up romantic feelings. But Rockford artist Jenny Matthews has created intricate watercolor paintings of bugs, beetles and butterflies in an exhibition titled, “Love Bugs,” opening Friday, February 8th in the Kortman Gallery.
    “I not only loved painting these scientifically accurate beetles and moths, but I think people will love them as unusual, unique Valentines,” says Matthews. “When you look at the intricate details and colors, insects are one of nature’s beautiful treasures.”
    According to Kortman Gallery director Doc Slafkosky, the small watercolor paintings featured in the exhibit are the result of a commission Matthews received from a publisher of children’s text books.
    “We saw Jenny’s insect images on Facebook when she was creating them for the book, and thought it would be great to show the originals in the gallery,” said Slafkosky. “We’ve always been amazed at how many people are intrigued by insects! I guess you could say that people ‘love bugs’.”
    Mathews has teamed up with MainfraiM to create custom frames that present the paintings in a shadow box-like setting to add to the specimen characteristics of her scientifically detailed imagery.
    “Love Bugs,” featuring watercolors of bugs, beetles, and butterflies opens with a Friday, February 8th reception from 5:30 to 9 pm in the Kortman Gallery, located upstairs at J. R. Kortman Center for Design, 107 North Main Street in Downtown Rockford. The exhibit will run through March 31st. For more information call 815-968-0123.


Rockford themed ornaments add hometown memories to your Holiday Tree...J.R.Kortman is open Monday-Friday, 10-6, Saturday, 10-5 and Sunday, 11-5 and Monday, Christmas Eve, 10-5

Christmas tree ornaments not only add color and sparkle to your tree, but they are also nostalgic mementos that connect us to family and friends, and, with Rockford themed ornaments, even your hometown.
Since 1998, J.R. Kortman Center for Design has been designing and selling ornaments featuring Rockford Landmarks. The hand-painted glass ornament collection features images of over twenty different local landmarks like Symbol, Coronado Theatre, East and West High Schools, the YMCA Log Lodge, Anderson Gardens, and St. Anthony Church, just to name a few.
This year, J.R. Kortman has designed and created three new wooden ornaments that each feature images of multiple Rockford landmarks. The new environmental-friendly ornaments are made in Elk Grove Village, Illinois.
“Christmas tree ornaments have always been an important part of holiday tradition because every ornament has a story or memory,” says Doc Slafkosky of J.R. Kortman. “Rockford ornaments are not only about civic pride, but local landmarks also come with special memories, which makes them great gifts for family and friends, and also for those who have moved away.”
“The new wooden ornaments are light weight and durable, so they also make great embellishments for your Christmas gift wrapping,” said Jerry Kortman.
Besides the Rockford Landmark Ornament collection, J.R. Kortman has designed 2-D metal “Symbol” sculptures that not only sit on a table or mantle, but can be hung on the tree. The “Symbols” are made in Rockford at Target Laser.
Also new this year, are colorful, unique “Rockmen Gardians,” miniature versions of the endearing sculptures along the Rock River recreation path, designed and 3-D printed by Rockford artist Steve Nofsinger.
  The Rockford-themed ornaments range in price from $7.50 to $28. The  2-D “Symbol” sculptures come in two sizes costing $12 or $24 and the miniature “Rockmen” are $20. each.
J.R. Kortman Center for Design is located downtown Rockford at 107 North Main St. For more information call 815-968-0123.