The beauty of art glass was brilliantly displayed at the Dubuque Museum of Art. Since the 1960s, the use of glass as a purely artistic medium has flourished. In Exploring Transparency, works from the collection of the Leigh Yawkey Woodson Museum of Art highlighted art glass from this early period. In addition, over 20 contemporary glass artists from around the United States represented the current trends in art glass, including Hank Murta Adams, Mark Bokesch-Parsons, Barrie Bredemeir, William Carlson, José Chardiet, Jim Cook, Fred di Frenzi, Sheryl Ellinwood, Mark Fowler, Shaun Graves, Wes Hunting, Kreg Kallenberger, Brent Kee Young, Michael Meilahn, Mark Peiser, Stephen Powell, Mike Rogers, Charles Savoie, Paul Stankard, Alex Stisser, Mark Sudduth, and Steven Weinberg.

Image: Alex Stisser, Soft Barbell Composition, 2005, blown glass, dimensions vary, collection of the artist

The challenge with successful artistic collaboration is to gain the camaraderie without losing the self. For Maureen Bardusk and Kathy Weaver, the vigorous collaborative process allowed them to gain a better awareness of their own style by requiring each artist to define her style and content in order to proceed, giving each artist a heightened sensibility concerning their own work. There is a sense of renewal and discovery in achieving collaboration because unique ways of problem solving and artistic outlook are uncovered. Their motivation was fired by the intrigue of pushing beyond their comfort zone and normal aesthetic.

This exhibition featured a collection of individual pieces by each artist along with 50 collages which Bardusk and Weaver worked on individually then jointly, exchanging work until completion. Confluence illustrated the role healthy, voluntary collaboration plays between artists in the process of creativity. The individually created works on display lent a clue to the input each artist contributed to the collages. The show was truly a synthesis and study of contrasting aesthetics.

Image: studio shot of the artists

Clyde Butcher’s large-format black and white photographs explore his personal relationship with the environment. The photographs chronicle some of America’s most beautiful and complex ecosystems. The exquisite depth of his works draw the viewer into a relationship with nature. For more than thirty-five years, he has been preserving on film the untouched areas of the landscape.

Image: Clyde Butcher, Moonrise, Big Cypress National Preserve, Florida, 1986, black and white photograph, 61 1/2×47 1/2 in.

The Dubuque Museum of Art was very excited to announce it’s first-ever, off-site exhibition featuring some of the regions most talented and cutting-edge artists. This exhibit showcased major installations that pushed artistic skill and thought beyond a typical museum exhibition setting. Many of the works were created on-site specifically for the unique, historical warehouse space. We hope you were able to join the Dubuque Museum of Art in celebrating this truly unique, cultural experience for Dubuque and the tri-state area. Participating artists included Beth Bird, Bill Farrell, Delores Fortuna, Rose Frantzen, Louise Kames, Amy Mangrich, Tom Metcalf, Chuck Morris, Wendy Rolfe-Mulgrew, and Gene Tully.

Dubuque native, Jennifer Braig, presented paintings that express her love of the landscape she remembered growing up. Her style is balanced yet energetic with unexpected compositions and thick impasto. She uses intense, eye-catching colors to draw the viewer in for a closer look to discover rhythmic brush strokes enlivening the canvas.

Ms. Braig cultivated her love of working in oil at Loras College where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Art, with minors in Art History and English in 1992 and studied under Tom Jewell-Vitale. Ms. Braig currently lives in Spearfish, South Dakota with her husband and two daughters.
Her smaller works had been displayed locally, so the Museum was excited to showcase Ms. Braig’s large-scale works that reach up to six feet wide.

Image: Mississippi River Barge, 2005, oil on canvas, 7x20x2 in.

This was a statewide traveling exhibit in conjunction with the AIA Iowa’s 100-year anniversary. The American Institute of Architects, Iowa Chapter, announced the top 50 Iowa buildings of the 20th century last fall, as part of its centennial celebration. To be considered for the honor, a building had to be in Iowa, still standing and designed by an architect. This juried exhibit, intended to celebrate and inform Iowans of their rich and vibrant architectural heritage, consists of select photographs of the top 50 Iowa buildings including Dubuque’s own Julien Dubuque Bridge and Eagle Point Park Shelters.

Image: installation shot

America’s most celebrated architect was featured through an exciting collection of renderings, blueprints, furnishings, textiles, and other items from SAMARA, one of the late Usonian style homes Wright was commissioned to design during the 1950’s by John and Catherine Christian of Lafayette, Indiana. But this exhibition represented much more than that. It was really an exhibition about dreams. It reflected Wright’s deeply held dream of designing a comfortable, harmonious, and affordable home for the common man; a home at one with nature and in sync with the lifestyle of its occupants.

Image: SAMARA Living Room

This exhibition examined the style and motivation of well-known Des Moines area artist, Mary Kline-Misol. Drawing from her extensive body of extraordinary, life-size paintings, guest curator, David Wells provided insight into the works’ ideally real settings. The artist’s unique perspective and thick impasto creates a definite air of mystery and magic in subjects ranging from portraiture and still-life to Alice in Wonderland and botanical series.

Image: Wintertree (Blackbird), 2000, Acrylic on canvas, 40×60 in., collection of the artist

The Salmagundi Club, founded in 1871, is one of the oldest art organizations in America and boasts the membership of influential artists like George Inness, Howard Chandler Christy, Robert Blum, William Merritt Chase, Emil Carlsen, Childe Hassam, Louis Comfort Tiffany, just to name a few.
This exhibition of club member’s work included works of art, artists’ used palettes, hand decorated mugs, photographs and the coveted Salmagundi Club medal.

Image: William Merrit Chase (1849-1916), Seated Woman with Fan, ca. 1890, ink drawing

Local artist and Loras College art professor, Tom Jewell-Vitale, presented an exquisite body of expressive abstract works in oil, wax and acrylic. Jewell-Vitale’s style evokes tranquility and acumen, and acquaints the viewer with the artist’s sensibility. Each image provides a personal opportunity for peaceful introspection and appreciation; overflowing with lush colors, intriguing juxtapositions, and fascinating shapes.

Image: Thomas Jewell-Vitale, Roshi’s Advice, 2003, oil, wax, and acrylic on paper, 11×9 in., collection of the artist