Craft in Color

Craft in Color shines a spotlight on work in clay, glass, and metal by artists of color drawn from the museum's permanent collection—the largest contemporary craft collection in North America. 

In a modern context where artists are investigating topics of their choosing and exploring with whatever materials they desire, who the artist is and how they move through the world becomes a part of the work’s content. Viewers may not have to know the details of an artist’s biography to appreciate their work, but those details can add layers of perspective and meaning.

Artists do not need to reference their identity in their work; however, it is valuable to recognize that heritage informs choices on a conscious or unconscious level as a part of the artists’ lived experiences. While most of the work in this exhibition is not directly issue-oriented, the fact that the makers themselves—as artists of color—have experienced a wide range of implicit and explicit biases is a sub-context worthy of consideration. Seen through that lens, the story these objects tell is even more complex.

RAM Curator of Exhibitions Lena Vigna claims Craft in Color "has the potential to challenge viewers on multiple levels." She continues, "In addition to being great examples of contemporary craft, the works on display are great examples by artists that might subvert some expectations about who craft artists are and what they create. What does contemporary craft look like anyway? For this exhibition, there are teapots and pieces of jewelry but there is also glass sculpture and clay relief prints.”

RAM used to show the work of artists of color without calling attention to it. While determining what truly defines an “artist of color” is a challenge—and the phrase itself implies White artists are the default—this exhibition is about ensuring artists of multiple and varied backgrounds are seen. RAM is dedicated to showing this work in a variety of contexts and, most importantly, to implement new pathways toward equity.

Owing to the physical dynamics of this gallery space, all pieces included are made of non-light-sensitive materials. While the work of artists of color has been, and will continue to be, shown in multiple contexts at RAM and its second campus, RAM’s Charles A. Wustum Museum of Fine Arts, this is the largest exhibition to date dedicated to these artists from the collection.

Exhibitions at Racine Art Museum are made possible by: Platinum Sponsors—The Estate of Karen Johnson Boyd, David Charak, Judith and David Flegel Fund, Ron and Judith Isaacs, Nicholas and Nancy Kurten, Racine Community Foundation, Windgate Foundation; Diamond Sponsors—City of Racine’s Grow Racine Grant, Osborne and Scekic Family Foundation, Ruffo Family Foundation, Ruth Arts Foundation; Gold Sponsors—Anonymous, Tom and Irene Creecy, Richard and Patricia Ehlert, Reliance Controls Community Fund, Trio Foundation of St. Louis, W.T. Walker Group, Inc., Wisconsin Arts Board; Silver Sponsors—Anonymous, Baird, Beta Diagnostic Labs, A.C. Buhler Family, Lucy G. Feller, Ben and Dawn Flegel, Jim Harris, Horizon Retail Construction, Inc., Lise Iwon, Johnson Financial Group, Dorothy MacVicar, Jan Serr and John Shannon, Visit Racine County; Bronze Sponsors—Ellen and Joseph Albrecht, Susan Boland, Virginia Buhler, Dave’s Wine Garage, Educators Credit Union, Express Employment Professionals, Bill and Debbie Keland, Susan Manalli, Jean and Alex Mandli, Jr., Norbell Foundation, The Prairie School, Cathy Stanghellini, Twin Disc; Media Sponsor—88Nine Radio Milwaukee

Image: Emma Lewis Mitchell, Birthing Spirit Bowl, 1987, Earthenware, 1 1/2 x 5 1/2 x 5 3/4 inches, Racine Art Museum, the Karen Johnson Boyd Collection, Photography: Jon Bolton