Quad-City visual arts scene draws some high-profile exhibits

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By Katie Vaughn | Sunday, December 31, 2006 1:06 AM CST | () comments

When one thinks of visual arts in the Quad-Cities over the past 12 months, several high-profile exhibits, milestones and controversies come to mind. But plenty of events occurred under the radar, making 2006 a year of forward momentum on the local arts scene.

One of the most documented events in the visual arts arena took place in early August, when the Figge Art Museum celebrated the first year in its new $46.9 million building in downtown Davenport. The museum touted on-target attendance numbers and even better membership statistics, but admitted it had yet to find an executive director and wanted to improve its reputation as a destination for all members of the community.

Several of the museum’s major exhibitions were well-received, among them Haitian artwork by Edouard Duval Carrié at the beginning of the year, startling photographs by Robert ParkeHarrison in the “Architect’s Brother” show this fall and the “Accidentally on Purpose” collection of African-American quilts on display through Feb. 11.

But the show that evoked the most surprise was “Adventures in a Temperate Climate,” a retrospective of paintings offering a unique take on 1950s suburbia by actor Martin Mull. The show runs through Jan. 21.

“I think the Martin Mull exhibit was the most surprising because my expectation was that the works would leverage his reputation as an actor,” said Bill Wohlford, a wood artist and member of the local Artists Advisory Council. “Instead, they stood on their own and Martin came across as a genuine Midwesterner.”

The Bucktown Center for the Arts also reached its first anniversary in July. The multipurpose facility saw many of its artist studios, condominiums and offices sold in 2006, executive director Dean Schroeder said.

In addition to hosting a variety of events — including the monthly Final Fridays and the annual ArtStroll and Venus Envy — that brought together visual artists, musicians and members of the general public, Bucktown also held some of the most thought-provoking exhibitions of the year.

Schroeder said autumn’s Church/State show, which featured the takes of 14 artists on the division between religion and government, was a particular success.

“It did what art is supposed to do, and that is to make people ask questions,” he said.

MidCoast Fine Arts, the parent organization of Bucktown, also featured forward-thinking exhibitions in its spaces throughout the Quad-Cities. A retrospective of nudes by area photographer by Dave Sorensen ran in July and August, and, more recently, Lori Miller illustrated the capabilities of fiber art with a collection of works made of diverse fabrics.

Quad-City Arts was responsible for blanketing the region with artwork, much of it in the public realm. Murals appeared on building exteriors throughout the Quad-Cities, as well as inside places such as John Lewis Community Services.

“The plethora of murals popping up in the area shows a significant investment by our community in public art,” said Lori Roderick, vice director of programs for Quad-City Arts.

The organization also celebrated its 21st year of hosting Festival of Trees, the annual event that kicks off the holidays for many Quad-Citians. Wohlford said that while some people do not recognize it as part of the visual arts scene, the festival offers significant displays of decorative art.

But perhaps nothing got Quad-Citians discussing art more than the proposal in July to erect a 25-foot-high sculpture of a push pin at the Davenport riverfront intersection of two major bike trails. Opponents called the plan “hideous,” “obnoxious” and nearly everything in between, and the proposal eventually was dropped.

Members of the local arts community are already buzzing about a handful of exhibitions slated for 2007.

The sculptures of internationally known artist Deborah Butterfield will be featured in one of the most anticipated shows to reach the Figge. “She transforms scrap metal and found wood into majestic, life-sized horse sculptures,” development director Margaret Babbitt said. “It’s a subject matter that is familiar to all, yet constructed in such an unusual way, and we will have a herd of them in the special exhibition galleries starting in March.”

Running in conjunction with the Butterfield show is an exhibition of horse sculptures made by 12 local artists. “Follow the Horses” will serve as “the first of many genuine partnerships between the Figge and local artists,” Wohlford said. The show of horse-themed creations is expected to open in March.

Quad-City Arts reports that Rock Island and Moline will join Davenport in offering public outdoor sculptures in their downtown areas. Thirteen works will be on display from June through May 2008.

The Mississippi Palette, a project spearheaded by the Artists Advisory Council, will unveil eight or nine sculptures created by local artists and students. Made of materials salvaged from the river by the Living Lands and Waters organization, the works are set to go on display late in the year.

Katie Vaughn can be contacted at (563) 383-2282 or kvaughn@qctimes.com.