A Gift for the Quad Cities: The Figge Art Museum 10th Anniversary Exhibition
July 4, 2015 - October 3, 2015
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A Gift for the Quad Cities: The Figge Art Museum 10th Anniversary Exhibition
In 1925, the City of Davenport accepted a gift of 340 works of art from former mayor Charles A. Ficke, which were displayed in the newly created Davenport Municipal Art Gallery. The gift reflected Ficke’s passion for the arts, and his conviction—and that of his generation—that access to the arts is an essential element of a thriving, educated community. Ficke’s gift inspired further donations of artworks by individuals and families, many of whom donated funds to the Friends of Art, a support group for the museum, or worked with the Beaux Arts Fairs that continue to this day. The city’s collection, which is cared for and exhibited by the Figge, now numbers nearly 4,000 objects, including priceless works from Ficke’s original gift.
Since 2003, when the museum ceased to be a city-run facility and became a separate nonprofit organization under the Figge name, an additional 700-plus items have been acquired by gift and by purchase through income from the museum’s endowment for acquisitions. The Acquisition and Loans Committee of the Board of Trustees, led by Chair Linda Lewis, oversees the growth of the collection. To celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Figge’s opening, the committee has spearheaded an effort to bring new works into the museum, continuing the tradition that began in 1925.
On view in the Katz Gallery, the 10th Anniversary Exhibition will feature new additions to the Figge collection. The show will include elements of Portrait of Maquoketa, Rose Frantzen’s unique installation; Kisibakwad, by noted Wisconsin painter Tom Uttech; and works by Kara Walker, Larry Rivers and many others. Also included are photographs by David Plowden from a major gift of works by the artist, a work by MacArthur grant recipient Ann Hamilton and new additions to the museum’s renowned collection of Haitian art.
This exhibition will be on view July 5-October 4, 2015
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Companion Event
Thursday, July 9
5:30 p.m. 10th Anniversary Exhibition Reception
7 p.m. Curator Talk
Figge Executive Director Tim Schiffer will speak about the exhibition and introduce visitors to the featured acquisitions that have been made since the Figge opened 10 years ago.
Tom Uttech, Kisibakwad, 2014, oil on linen, gift in honor of Budge, Ed and Peter Gierke, courtesy of Tory Folliard Gallery, 2014.18
Thursday November 21st