Dubuque by Design explores the impact of design on the lived experiences of past, present, and future residents in our region. The exhibition presents an overview of 150 years (1874 to 2024) of designs made in, for, and by this community and is inspired by the 2024 celebration of the Dubuque Museum of Art’s 150th anniversary as well as our future building plans.
The exhibition identifies themes that transcend chronology and extend our understanding of the breadth of media that designers use. The exhibition explores designs related to manufacturing, transportation, graphic design, architecture, urban design, fashion, and interiors, as well as landscape. The exhibition includes objects and artifacts that represent significant local history like the Adams-Farwell automobile and the Tiffany windows in St Luke’s United Methodist Church.
Dubuque by Design elevates often underappreciated designs and highlights the intersection of art and everyday life. Art can be found inside the engines of automobiles, the buttons that fasten our clothes, the bridges that traverse the Mississippi, the multi-use greenways that protect us from floods and improve the quality of our water, and exquisite architectural details seen on our daily walks.
This exhibition is an opportunity to learn from and interact with the creative minds of the past and catalyze larger conversations around place and community expression as we look to the future.
Artist Hieyler Pimpton presents 50 collages on paper for her exhibition I Have Told You 50 Times. The works are part of a series titled If Your Eyes Are Closed, You Cannot See #1-50. Inspired by the collage work of American artist Romare Bearden, Pimpton uses images from vintage magazines and children’s book. She combines these with her own painted and colored papers to create intimate scenes that tell personal stories – from the challenges of personal relationships to nostalgia for the past.
Hieyler Pimpton received a M.F.A. in painting from Savannah College of Art and Design. Her work has been exhibited nationally. She recently relocated to Georgia after living and running an art gallery in Dubuque for several years. She is originally from Southern California and has lived all over the United States.
This annual exhibition presents the culminating student work of a future generation in illustration, animation, digital painting, motion graphics, and digital artwork. Each of the featured students—Jakhari Anderson, Jenna Benzing, Alyssa Classen, Urias Gbarjolo, Dillon Leffler, Carlos Sanchez, Elizabeth Thill, and Kimonte Thomas—chose an independent and specific theme for their collection of artworks, which allowed them to fully express their individual abilities and interests.
“We are honored and privileged in calling our students family,” said Sheila Sabers, head of the Department of Digital Art and Design and assistant professor of digital art and design. “We love the journey of witnessing the development of their creativity and contribution to society through their unique talents and perspectives—some through their four years at the University and some as they return after years away to finish their DART degree.”
Opening in October is Same Old Same Old, which presents a dozen political cartoons from the collection of Ann Ernst of Dubuque. The political cartoon in the United States has its origin in none other than Benjamin Franklin, who drew the first in what would be a long tradition of illustrations that use satire and humor to discuss current events and people. Printed in magazines and newspapers now, such cartoons were originally often posted on walls or passed from hand to hand; they are a glimpse into political persuasion in the days before constant text messages and television ads for candidates.
With this exhibition and as a polling place in this year’s election, DuMA reminds our visitors that an informed citizenry is a cornerstone of democracy. Political cartoons, then and now, play a critical role in condensing and presenting complex events, all in the service of keeping voters informed of the issues of the day.
Features recent 2D and 3D student work from the University of Wisconsin-Platteville.
A celebration of making and makers, the Craft Invitational features more than 50 works by 21 different regional artists, all of whom are pushing the boundaries of forms, processes, and materials while respecting the long lineage of craftmanship.
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@HOME: CSEI Photovoice features photography on the topic of home from artists of all skill levels and backgrounds, with particular emphasis on amateur photographers and those who are part of CSEI’s programs and mission.
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Image credit: (left to right) Stephanie Ottavi, Mom, Natalia Blaskovich, Sanctuary, Will Pearsall, Untitled.
DuMA is proud to host the 25th year of this highly anticipated and celebrated exhibition.
The 2024 citywide high school exhibition features two and three dimensional works by students from Dubuque’s three high schools: Senior, Hempstead and Wahlert.
Brightening the grey winter days with youthful creativity, the citywide K–8 exhibition features two and three-dimensional artwork by elementary and middle school students, chosen by their teachers. Installed by art students from Dubuque Senior High School.
Dubuque artist E. E. Kono returns to DuMA for a solo exhibition of paintings made with traditional techniques like egg tempera and silverpoint to explore history, myth, and legend. Kono is inspired by the Driftless Area. For her, the region is defined by a river that links the land to the sea and the complex past to a shifting present.
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