Children's exhibition programming will also be starting in February
for Visages: Face Revised. The first class, "Paint Yourself in Time," is from 2 to 4 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 21.

RAM Talks Art: See Visages: Face Revised in a new way

By Elizabeth Dailing, Education Director, Rockford Art Museum            


If you didn't make it to the opening for Rockford Art Museum's (RAM) new exhibition, Visages: Face Revised, you still haven't missed the opportunity to learn about art and portraiture.

Doesn't sound too exciting? Just keep reading...

Starting with a Tuesdays @ RAM Lecture Series, we kick off Visages programming with a free public lecture. Yes, I said free. The History of the Portrait Lecture by NIU professor Barbara Jaffee, Ph.D., will give you a chance to learn something about the evolution of portraiture. Everyone sees portraits all the time. Whether it's a portrait of a famous face, or a candid photo, there's something intriguing about studying others. Take an hour, learn something new, and check out the exhibition-it could be a refreshing look at something familiar in a very new way.

The second lecture in the Tuesdays @ RAM: Lecture Series is a lecture by a local photographer, Nels Akerlund (who just returned from shooting the Presidential Inauguration!). Nels is a Rockford native who's photographing events and places all over the world. His recent project, of personal interest, is called "The American People Project." What's it all about? Come listen and you'll see that this is one ambitious photographer who;s working to make a dent in the history of our country.

My encouragement is, come to the lectures - they're free. We would love to see new faces in the museum galleries with an interest in art. And, with the current economic state of affairs, take advantage of a chance to do something right in Rockford that could change your thinking - without putting a strain on your wallet.

And, don't think we've forgotten about the little ones...

Children's exhibition programming will also be starting in February for Visages: Face Revised. The first class we are holding, "Paint Yourself in Time," is from 2 to 4 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 21. Portraits tell us a story about time and place through their representations of clothing, surroundings and objects. Sign your kids up to view the Visages exhibition, and then they'll head to the RAM Art Annex to paint their own self-portraits, placing themselves in a particular point in time. Using images with historical indicators as a guide; see your child in history! I mean, there's nothing more fun than using your imagination to see yourself somewhere you've never really been.

The second children's class we're offering is "Turn Yourself into a Masterpiece." To recreate a masterpiece is a daunting task-but in this approach, we're making it fun! Kids will tour Visages: Face Revised and then review portraits created by the masters. It'll then be their turn to become the subject of the piece. Kids will make jewelry and clothing to match the selected artwork, and then take a photo in the same position and posture of the masterpiece. Who knew your child could become Mona Lisa?

We're finding new ways to connect you with our current exhibition. I hope you take advantage of some of these offerings. Visages contains the artwork of seven artists-from local to international. The pieces in this exhibition range from glass to painting. Hope to see you at RAM soon!

Schedule of events

Adult Exhibition Programming: Tuesdays @ RAM Lecture Series (all events FREE):

Feb. 17, 6 p.m. - History of the Portrait lecture with lecturer Barbara Jaffee, Ph.D.

March 24, 6 p.m. - American People Project lecture with lecturer Nels Akerlund

Children's Exhibition Programming:

Saturday, Feb. 21, 2-4 p.m. - Paint Yourself in Time, for ages 8 and older, cost is $8, and registration by Feb. 13

Saturday, March 7, 2-4 p.m. - Turn Yourself into a Masterpiece, for ages 8 and older, cost is $8 and registration by Feb. 27

To register for classes, call Stacey Sauer at (815) 972-2874.

Contact Rockford Art Museum Education Director Elizabeth Dailing at edailing@rockfordartmuseum.org.

From the Feb. 4-10, 2009 issue

 

< previous article

> next article

 

home | visit | exhibition | collection | education | support | museum store | calendar & events | contact