Dubuque Museum of Art

08/31/2024

Today's Craft Invitational 2024 feature: paper artist Erica Spitzer Rasmussen of St. Paul, Minnesota.

"When I was a little girl, my father told me that eating tomatoes would make me “big, strong and hairy chested.” I avoided eating tomatoes for twenty years.

As a general rule, my sculptural work is inspired by childhood myths or adult anxieties regarding my body. Like my childhood association between the consumption of tomatoes and the growth of chest hair, I sometimes find body-stories or body-experiences to be simultaneously comical and horrifying. It is often these extremes in emotional reactions that drive me to produce the work, in an attempt to better comprehend each situation.

I use clothing as subject matter because it provides me a ground on which to investigate identity and corporeality. My garments are metaphors. They can encompass narrative qualities, illustrate and dissolve bodily fears, or act as talismanic devices.

Handmade paper is at the core of every work. Paper speaks of the vulnerability of the flesh, as well as the delicate nature of the psyche. In addition to utilizing paper, I often incorporate unconventional media into my work. I choose to use such non-archival media as dehydrated tomatoes, fish skins, sausage casings and human hair, because the materials assist in my storytelling. I conjure work that may be transitory in nature, but rich in surfaces and sentiments."

The Craft Invitational 2024 features more than 50 works by 21 different regional artists and is open June 29 - October 13, 2024 at DuMA.

Object credit:
Erica Spitzer Rasmussen, "Garment of Fortune," 2010, 2200 fortune cookie fortunes, dye, Chinese ink, acrylic, paper, cotton thread, and orange pekoe tea, 29 x 56 x 2

Erica Spitzer Rasmussen, "Schiaparelli’s Footsteps," 2021, Mixed media (cotton, mulberry, flock, matte medium, zipper and human hair) with handmade paper, 8 x 18 x 12

08/30/2024

The Nathaniel Morgan Memorial Committee invites the public to join us on Friday, September 6th at the Dubuque Museum of Art from 6-6:30 PM for a memorial service honoring Nathaniel Morgan.

Morgan and his spouse Charlotte were among Dubuque's founding citizens and valued members of Iowa's first African American community. Tragically, a mob lynched Nathaniel on September 6, 1840. The memorial service honors his success-filled life and helps rekindle our community's early promise of a unified and peaceful in*******al community. Mayor Cavanagh will read a proclamation declaring Nathaniel and Charlotte Morgan Peace Week.

08/29/2024

Today's Craft Invitational 2024 feature: sculptor Rita Grendze of Geneva, Illinois.

"How strange it seems that now, thirty years after the Soviet Union collapsed and Latvia regained independence, the lessons of my childhood are coming back. With war raging in Ukraine and refugees fleeing to the western borders, I can’t help but think of what my parents went through in the 1940’s. The conflict in Gaza admittedly feels more foreign, distant if you will, but the human suffering is sitting right next to me. So I am drawing on lessons learned in the Latvian American community, not the political aspect, but the idea of comfort. Rather than hunkering down with my family like I did during the worst part of the COVID-19 pandemic, I find that my family and I are all wanting to spread our arms wide, to embrace those that have no place to fit in. Instead of receiving the kindness of others we feel positioned to give it.

"Collective Comfort" is a new installation that came into being as a reaction to my unease with the social, emotional, and physical distance endured since the shut-down in 2020. Spending so much time at home, I was able to sort some of the remnants of my mother’s knitting basket, using her unfinished projects to create the first pom-poms and the foundation of this piece. Languid, organic forms are offered for interaction, including gentle touch and respectful hugs. Soft colors transition into more bold hues, creating a sense of growth and implying hope. Creating this piece has given me great joy and sense of purpose. I hope it brings those that interact with it a modicum of comfort, a moment of peace."

The Craft Invitational 2024 features more than 50 works by 21 different regional artists and is open June 29 - October 13, 2024 at DuMA.

Object credit:
Rita Grendze, "Collective Comfort," 2024, Yarn and cord,10x9x8 ft

08/28/2024

08/28/2024

Thank you to the DRA for their generous support of DuMA and 56 other local non-profits with more than $1.2 million in Core Grant funds awarded recently. This investment is transformational for our region and allows the Museum to continue to create engaging experiences that excite, inspire, and connect our community.

Learn more and see the full list of recipients here: https://www.dradubuque.com/news/dra-awards-more-than-1.2-million-to-2024-core-grant-recipients

08/26/2024

Today's Craft Invitational 2024 feature: polymer clay artist Narciso Meneses Elizalde of Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

"My name is Narciso M. Elizalde. I am from Hidalgo, Mexico, originally indigenous lands still inhabited by displaced Nahua, Hñähñu, and Yùhu peoples (whose blood runs through my veins). For the past few years, I have lived and worked in and around what is now known as Cedar Rapids and Iowa City, in the USA state of Iowa, which is stolen Indigenous land. I earned my Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Iowa in 2013, and I have participated in several exhibitions in Eastern Iowa since then at PS One, Legion Arts, DAAC, DIY music and art shows, and several others.

I work with polymer clay to make low and high-relief style sculptures. These sculptures are composed of vibrant swirling color combinations and depict scenes that generally include humans and other-than-human beings performing actions of traditional Mesoamerican ritual, especially related to themes of world renewal and participation in universal networks of relations, as expressed through Flower Worlds’ spirituality and related signification systems. For Indigenous peoples in Mesoamerica and Southwest US, Flower Worlds are essentially ideal, yet experientially real, deified embodiments of the sacred living Earth as transcendent yet immanent prodigious cosmic expressions of abundance, positivity, healing, and renewal in the living environment."

Full artist statement: https://dbqart.org/craft-2024/narciso-meneses-elizalde/

The Craft Invitational 2024 features more than 50 works by 21 different regional artists and is open June 29 - October 13, 2024 at DuMA.

Object credit:
Narciso Meneses Elizalde, "Great Teotihuacan Goddess," 2014, Polymer clay, 22 x 18 x 2.5.
Narciso Meneses Elizalde, "Nine Wind is the Sacred Name of the Day When the New Sacred Sprout was Born, it Happened at Flower Mountain and it was Overseen by the Lady of the Moon," 2018 - 2022, Polymer clay, jade, obsidian, conch shell, and quartz, 25 x 19 x 2.5.
Narciso Meneses Elizalde, "Hero Twins Singing for the Cosmic Tree," 2014, Polymer clay, 22 x 18 x 2.5

08/24/2024

Today's Craft Invitational 2024 feature: glass artist and community builder Pearl Dick of Chicago, Illinois. She is the artistic director of Firebird Community Arts, and co-founder of Project FIRE, a program designed to promote healing through glassblowing for young people who have been injured by gun violence.

Drawing from her life and observations, Pearl’s work speaks to our desire for connection. From the relationships that span a lifetime to the casual interactions that last only an instant, no moment is insignificant. Her work, whether in glass or paint, is meant to spark a memory, question, or emotion within the viewer that is deeply personal while encouraging empathy for others as we recognize our similarities within our differences.

The Craft Invitational 2024 features more than 50 works by 21 different regional artists and is open June 29 - October 13, 2024 at DuMA.

Object credit:
Pearl Dick, "Parallel," 2021, Glass, 18 x 18 x 5
Pearl Dick, "Bloom and Grow," 2019, Glass, 15 x 14 x 11

08/23/2024

The Inspire Iowa Cultural Tourism Grant program is back open! This grant will support a limited number of highly visible and high-impact arts, culture and heritage events, performances, productions or exhibitions taking place between July 1, 2024 and December 31, 2026. Projects should attract new visitors to Iowa communities and showcase our state as a cultural tourism destination through innovative new programming. Inspire Iowa is co-administered by the Iowa Tourism Office and Iowa Arts Council.

Apply before October 9: https://bit.ly/4dLmZZa

08/23/2024

Iowa communities are invited to apply now to participate in the new Creative Places Accelerator, which will run from October 1, 2024 - June 30, 2026.

The Creative Places Accelerator is a multi-year pilot program where cross-sector community teams from small to midsize Iowa communities develop arts-based projects to serve as catalysts for livability, economic development and community connectedness. Participating communities are expected to form a team of three to four community leaders with representation from local artists and arts organizations, local government and business and economic development that will participate and learn together in all the program workshops.

Learn more and apply: https://bit.ly/46VS2ik

08/19/2024

Message from Margi Buhr, Director of Creative Learning:

Never say goodbye because goodbye means going away and going away means forgetting. ~Peter Pan

I will be retiring from the Dubuque Museum of Art on October 17.

It has been a privilege serving as DuMA’s Director of Creative Learning for 28 years.

My time has been enriched by the people I connected with, the schools and community organizations I partnered with, and the volunteers, members, and beloved team members who inspired me to do my best.

I am grateful for your gift of friendship, kindness and wisdom. I will treasure the stories, laughter and adventures we shared.

I have learned much. I have cared deeply. I look to the future with high hopes.

A wise person said “now is the time to do things that bring Margi joy." I have always found that in teaching. Plans moving forward focus on sharing my love of art and art history with young and lifelong learners. I am also interested in continuing my work with individuals living with memory loss and their care partners as well as other wellness initiatives. I value your guidance and welcome your suggestions.

Thank you, lovely people, for a heart filled with warm memories.

Don’t cry because it’s over. Smile because it happened. ~ Dr. Seuss

Please join me at the Museum on Sunday, October 13 from 4-5:30 PM to celebrate. I would love to thank all of you for your support during this amazing journey.

08/16/2024

08/09/2024

Now on display at DuMA: UW Platteville Ground Floor Showcase

Featuring recent 2D and 3D student work from the University of Wisconsin-Platteville. On view until October 20th.

08/09/2024

A Zoom recording of the July 24th Design Unveiling and Annual Meeting is now available on DuMA's YouTube channel.

This presentation was an invitation to the public to meet architects Paul Schulhof and Azadeh Rashidi as they shared their design for the new Museum campus.

Zoom recording of July 24th, 2024 presentation.

08/09/2024

08/05/2024

Today's Craft Invitational 2024 feature: glass artist Joshua DeWall of Chicago, Illinois.

Joshua DeWall was born and raised in the small town of Galena, Illinois. From a young age, Joshua was attracted to the medium of glass. Upon graduation from high school, it became his lifelong commitment. He received a Bachelor of Fine Art from Southern Illinois University and also a Master of Fine Arts degree from the Rochester Institute of Technology in Rochester, New York. He has worked nationwide as a glass gaffer, designer, assistant, instructor, and artist at institutions such as: the Pittsburgh Glass Center; the Rochester Institute of Technology; Snow Farm, Williamsburg, Massachusetts; Penland School of Crafts in North Carolina; and the Chrysler Museum Glass Studio in Norfolk, Virginia. Currently, he is the production manager at Ignite Glass Studios in Chicago, Illinois.

The Craft Invitational 2024 features more than 50 works by 21 different regional artists and is open June 29 - October 13, 2024 at DuMA.

Object credit:
Josh DeWall, "Invisible Man," 2022, Glass, 42 x 28 x 14

08/03/2024

Today's Craft Invitational 2024 feature: woodworking artist Jarrod Dahl of Ashland, Wisconsin.

"The näverburkar is a traditional Scandinavian birch bark container for storing dry goods. It is as good looking as it is useful. Made from a sheet of birch bark with joints that lock together, a wooden bottom and lid, and a knife carved handle, it is perhaps the earliest prototype for Tupperware. I first learned about these containers in a class with my mentor, Swedish craftsman, Ramon Persson. Because of the similar climate to Scandinavia, I can harvest bark in the Chequamegon Bay Area near my home in Ashland, Wisconsin. I began making them for sale and have been teaching others how to make them since 2010. In my house we use birch bark canisters to store everyday things—tea, coffee, salt, rice. I feel that my life is enriched by the daily use of objects—made of natural materials—like these."

The Craft Invitational 2024 features more than 50 works by 21 different regional artists and is open June 29 - October 13, 2024 at DuMA.

Object credit:
Jarrod Dahl, "Trio of Birch Bark Canisters," 2024, Birch bark, pine wood, milk paint, and oil and beeswax finish, 10x6, 8x5, 7x4

07/31/2024

🎨YOU'RE INVITED🎨
Eleven new sculptures are coming to 🎨Art on the River🌊! The 2024 edition of the annual public art exhibition will be showcased at an opening reception on Friday, Aug. 9, beginning at 5 p.m. Join us on the terrace at the Grand River Center to 👀see the new sculptures, 🎶hear live music, and 😊enjoy the Culture and Conversation of Art on the River! Learn more at www.cityofdubuque.org/aotr

07/24/2024

The Zoom livestream of the Design Unveiling and Annual Meeting will begin at 6:30 PM.

Please click the link below to join the webinar:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89901348546
Webinar ID: 899 0134 8546

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07/22/2024

This upcoming Wednesday, July 24th, is the final day to view the : CSEI Photovoice exhibition, on display in the Museum lobby.

presents approximately 50 photographs from 21 artists across Dubuque and Delaware counties that offer poignant, gripping, and trenchant commentaries on the meaning of “home.” is more than a photography exhibition; it examines the housing crisis more generally and the individuals affected by it.

Community Solutions of Eastern Iowa - CSEI is a regional nonprofit organization that offers resources and opportunities to those challenged by homelessness or housing crises.