Upcoming Art Exhibition Encourages Multiple Perspectives

Opening January 26, 2022 at the Racine Art Museum (RAM), In the Round: Vessels and Sculpture from RAM's Collection will showcase work drawn from the museum's permanent collection—made primarily of ceramic and glass—that provide compelling, layered narratives and engaging designs when viewed from more than one side. This exhibition will be on display at the downtown Racine museum through July 30, 2022.

By its very definition, sculpture is multi-sided and intended to be seen from various angles. Even when not placed so that it can be viewed from all sides, sculpture is still the articulation of an idea on multiple planes, not a flat representation. In the Round plays with this idea by showcasing artwork that is best understood when contemplated from more than one perspective—pieces whose stories and designs unfold as a viewer actively engages in exploring the whole thing.

Pursuing the desire to investigate ideas, stories, and patterns in sculptural form, many of the artists included encourage extended contemplation of works whose sides and backs are as integral to the overall as their fronts. Indeed, for some pieces, there may not be an obvious point of visual entry or departure. On a metaphorical level, these works showcase the value of considering multiple points of view.

Several of the pieces are based on functional vessels—teapots, vases, and bowls—but few are intended for actual use. Those that do not reference functional shapes eliminate questions of practicality and further reinforce the status of these objects as means of generating reflection.

Several works in In the Round, including vessels by Kevin Snipes and the potters of the Mexican town of Mata Ortiz, are new to additions to RAM's collection and make their public debut in this exhibition.

Exhibitions at Racine Art Museum are made possible by: Platinum Sponsors—Judith and David Flegel Fund, Nicholas and Nancy Kurten, Wingate Foundation; Diamond Sponsors—Osborne and Scekic Family Foundation, Ruffo Family Foundation; Gold Sponsors—Anonymous, David Charak, Tom and Irene Creecy, Herzfeld Foundation, Ron and Judith Isaacs, National Endowment for the Arts, Racine Community Foundation, Trio Foundation of St. Louis, W.T. Walker Group, Inc., Wisconsin Arts Board; Silver Sponsors—A.C. Buhler Family, Andis Foundation, Lucy G. Feller, Ben and Dawn Flegel, Johnson Financial Group, Bill Keland, Dorothy MacVicar, RDK Foundation, Inc., Real Racine, Reliance Controls, Twin Disc, Inc.; Bronze Sponsors—Anonymous, Baird, Susan Boland, Virginia Buhler, Educators Credit Union, Fredrick and Deborah Ganaway, William A. Guenther, Tom and Sharon Harty, Andrea and Tony Hauser, The Norbell Foundation, Bill and Mary Walker; Media Sponsors—88Nine Radio Milwaukee, Wisconsin Public Radio.

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Together, the two campuses of the Racine Art Museum, RAM in downtown Racine at 441 Main Street and the Charles A. Wustum Museum of Fine Arts at 2519 Northwestern Avenue, seek to elevate the stature of contemporary crafts to that of fine art by exhibiting significant works in craft media with painting, sculpture, and photography, while providing outstanding educational art programming.

Both campuses of the Racine Art Museum are currently operating with limited hours, open Wednesday through Saturday from Noon to 4:00 pm. To comply with the City of Racine mandate, masks covering both nose and mouth are required to enter RAM and RAM's Wustum Museum at all times.