Rockford Art Museum (RAM) opens the Rockford Midwestern Biennial exhibition on Friday, October 7, with a preview reception for museum members and exhibiting artists from 5:15 to 7 p.m. that includes a gallery walk with 2022 Juror Frank Juárez and an artist awards ceremony, followed by a free public opening until 8 p.m. at RAM, 711 N. Main St., Rockford. The exhibition remains on view through January 22. 

The 2022 Rockford Midwestern is the 77th presentation of Rockford Art Museum's juried exhibition, which began in 1913 as an annual showcase of local artists, then expanded eligibility and was known as the Stateline Vicinity Show through 1998. Now a biennial show that surveys new work by contemporary artists across the Midwest, the competition was open to original artwork, in any medium, created since the last biennial by residents of Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, and Wisconsin. 

Juror Frank Juárez selected 61 paintings, prints, drawings, photographs, sculptures, mixed media works, and more by 50 artists from seven states for this year’s Rockford Midwestern Biennial. “It’s a stellar showcase of the incredible talent of Midwestern artists today,” RAM Curator Carrie Johnson said. Frank Juárez brings two decades of art education and arts management experience organizing local and regional art exhibitions, community art events, facilitating presentations, supporting artists through grant programs, and offering professional development workshops. Juarez is the Sheboygan North High School art department chair, SchoolArts Magazine contributing editor, and Artdose Magazine publisher.

Awards will be presented at the preview for members and exhibiting artists on Friday, October 7, including the prestigious Dean Alan Olson Purchase Award ($2,000) plus Best of Show ($750), and two Juror’s Choice awards ($500 each). 

The Rockford Midwestern Biennial is organized by Carrie Johnson and juried by Frank Juárez. This exhibition and its related educational programming are sponsored by the Dean Alan Olson Foundation and Women’s Art Board; and partially supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council Agency. Free admission is sponsored for the duration of this exhibition by the Dean Alan Olson Foundation. 

Galleries are open Thursday through Sunday from 10 AM to 5 PM.

THE 2022 ROCKFORD MIDWESTERN EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING
SPONSORED BY DEAN ALAN OLSON FOUNDATION + WOMEN’S ART BOARD
All programs take place at Rockford Art Museum, 711 N. Main St., Rockford

• PANEL LECTURE WITH EXHIBITING ARTISTS 
WED, NOV 16, 6–8 PM, FREE, OPEN TO THE PUBLIC, NO REGISTRATION REQUIRED

Join us for a conversation with exhibiting artists from our Midwestern Biennial as they discuss their inspirations and processes.

• DRAWING WORKSHOP WITH 2020 MIDWESTERN BIENNIAL EXHIBITING ARTIST 
WED, JAN 18, 6–8 PM, $20 ($17/members), OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
REGISTER AT ROCKFORDARTMUSEUM.ORG

Artist Zach Mory joins us for this one-of-a-kind drawing workshop where he’ll teach the intricacies of drawing the human face with a fun twist! After mastering drawing the face, he’ll teach you how to create your very own cartoon. Registration will open soon at rockfordartmuseum.org. 

• COFFEE WITH THE CURATOR 
FRI, JAN 20, 10 AM, FREE, OPEN TO THE PUBLIC, NO REGISTRATION NECESSARY

Get a behind-the-scenes look into the process of curating the feature exhibition with Execuitive Director/Curator Carrie Johnson. Complimentary coffee is provided by Rockford Roasting Co.

Image: Renee McGinnis (Chersterton, IN); Nesting Protocols, 2022; oil and silver leaf on canvas; courtesy of the artist