Rockford Art Museum (RAM) opens new feature exhibition The Laura and John Fraser Collection on Friday, Feb. 9, with a preview reception for museum members from 5 to 7 p.m. that includes a gallery walk with the Frasers, followed by a free public opening from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at RAM, 711 N. Main St., Rockford. The exhibition remains on view through May 28.
The Laura and John Fraser Collection surveys one of the most recent major gifts to the Rockford Art Museum Permanent Collection in its entirety. The Fraser Collection is a stellar compilation of 122 contemporary paintings, prints, drawings, mixed media, sculptures, and ephemera by an international roster of 57 artists, including several local and regional artists.
Rockford Art Museum (RAM) opens new feature exhibition The Laura and John Fraser Collection on Friday, Feb. 9, with a preview reception for museum members from 5 to 7 p.m. that includes a gallery walk with the Frasers, followed by a free public opening from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at RAM, 711 N. Main St., Rockford. The exhibition remains on view through May 28.
The Laura and John Fraser Collection surveys one of the most recent major gifts to the Rockford Art Museum Permanent Collection in its entirety. The Fraser Collection is a stellar compilation of 122 contemporary paintings, prints, drawings, mixed media, sculptures, and ephemera by an international roster of 57 artists, including several local and regional artists.
“We are happy to share this art with the City of Rockford and visitors to the museum,” the Frasers wrote. “We hope these pieces are a welcome learning activity for young and old, and that visitors find something new and exciting when viewing the work.”
Artists represented include by John Andrews, Anne Bach, Nelleke Beltjens, Steven Beyer, Gerd Borkelmann, Betty Cleeland, Jeffery Cote de Luna, Gordon Dorn, Jacob El Hanani, Heide Fasnacht, Lynn Fischer-Carlson, Joyce Gelick, Dorothee Joachim, Vadim Katznelson, Wayne Kimball, Barbara Koenen, Robert McCauley, Erik Neff, Bob Nugent, John Pittman, Katy Pittman, Gordon Powell, Richard Rezac, Brigitte Riesebrodt, Cherri Rittenhouse, Yuko Sakurai, Rebecca Shore, Eric Snell, Buzz Spector, Mario Trejo, Richard Tuttle, and more.
Concurrent exhibitions on view at RAM include the 77th Young Artist Show (opens March 4) and additional selections from the Rockford Art Museum Collection.
The Laura and John Fraser Collection is organized by Rockford Art Museum, curated by RAM Curator Carrie Johnson. This exhibition and related educational programming are sponsored by a grant from the Community Grants Program of the Community Foundation of Northern Illinois with support from the Community Arts & Humanities Fund, and by a grant from Smith Charitable Foundation; partially supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council Agency, and by the Armer Ahlstrand Charitable Foundation. RAM education programs are supported in part by Women’s Art Board.
THE LAURA + JOHN FRASER COLLECTION
RELATED EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING
SPONSORED BY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF NORTHERN ILLINOIS + SMITH CHARITABLE FOUNDATION
All programs take place at Rockford Art Museum, 711 N. Main St., Rockford
FRASER ARTIST LECTURE
THU, APR 19, 6–7 PM, FREE (DONATIONS APPRECIATED)
Get an exhibiting artist’s perspective on the feature exhibition with a lively gallery walk led by Rock Valley College professor Lynn Fischer-Carlson.
PANEL WITH LAURA + JOHN FRASER
THU, MAY 3, 6–7 PM, FREE (DONATIONS APPRECIATED)
Laura and John Fraser join RAM Curator Carrie Johnson for a memorable conversation about collecting art, curating this collection, their relationship with RAM, and more.
COFFEE WITH THE CURATOR
FRI, MAY 18, 10–11 AM, FREE (DONATIONS APPRECIATED)
Get a behind-the-scenes look into the process of curating the feature exhibition with RAM Curator Carrie Johnson before it closes May 28!
RAM OPEN MIC NIGHT
THU, APR 26, 6–8 PM, $5 COVER
Share your own—or sit back and enjoy—original poetry, storytelling, music, and more at this after-hours event. All ages, performances begin at 6:30.
RAM SONGWRITER SERIES: MALANDRINO
THU, MAR 15, 6–8 PM, $5 COVER
Enjoy a live performance by area bossa nova band Malandrino in the stunning setting of the feature exhibition. All ages, music begins at 6:30.
MOVIE MONDAY FILM SERIES
DOORS OPEN 6:30 PM, FILMS BEGIN AT 7 PM, $5 COVER
HERB + DOROTHY | FEB 19
This film tells the extraordinary story of the Vogels, a postal clerk and a librarian who built one of the most important art collections in history with very modest means. (2008, 1 hr 27 min)
MONKEY BUSINESS | MAR 19
This documentary explores the untold origin story of Curious George – the lifelong journey of creators Hans and Margret Rey. Presented by RAM in partnership with Discovery Center Museum. (2017, 1 hr 21 min)
WEST SIDE STORY | APR 23
Celebrate the 100th birthday of composer Leonard Bernstein with some of his most iconic music in the award-winning film, famously inspired by Romeo & Juliet. (1961, 2 hrs 33 min)
