American Masterpieces

May 6, 2008–February 14, 2009

(left to right) Nick Engelbert, Grandview (site view, Peacock, Hollandale, WI); Jacob Baker, Dream House, c. 1910–1939; concrete and mixed media; 48 x 48 x 48 in.; Fred Smith, Wisconsin Concrete Park (site view, Mr. Knox as Daniel Boone and Oxen Team tableau). photo: Ron Byers.

The precedent-setting exhibition Sublime Spaces & Visionary Worlds elicited an astounding audience response. Local supporters, national and international fans, and countless initiates responded to the aesthetic power, emotional depth, and sheer passion embodied in the work of the 22 artist-environment builders in the Arts Center’s collection.

Now a new exhibition will present a smaller, very special selection of works by several of these artists—works new to the Arts Center’s collection as well as several unforgettable masterpieces and major works from other collections. As the exhibition title suggests, not only were the art environments exceptional, but many were comprised of stellar individual components—works of art that not only stand on their own, but rank among the most notable in American history.

Artists

Levi Fisher Ames, Emery Blagdon, Loy Bowlin, Eugene Von Bruenchenhein,
David Butler, Nick Engelbert, Ernest Hüpeden, Mary Nohl, Carl Peterson,
Herman Rusch, Dr. Charles Smith, Fred Smith, Stella Waitzkin, Albert Zahn

* The American Masterpieces exhibition and related programming have been supported in part by a grant from the Wisconsin Arts Board with funds from the National Endowment for the Arts.