Racine Art Museum Showcases Recent Acquisitions to its Contemporary Craft Collection

One of RAM's more popular exhibitions in recent memory was Mariko Kusumoto's 2010 exhibition of elaborate metal box constructions. She uses a wide array of metalsmithing techniques to create interactive sculptures that continuously open and unfold to reveal hidden elements. Now through July 12, 2015, the Racine Art Museum (RAM) is pleased to again display Kusomoto's sculpture Byobo, which has just entered the museum's collection. RAM thanks long-time benefactor, Karen Johnson Boyd, for continuing to donate exciting works like this to its permanent contemporary craft collection.

Mariko Kusumoto Byobu (detail), 2004-06 Nickel silver, brass, sterling silver, magnet, and decals Racine Art Museum, Gift of Karen Johnson Boyd Photography: Jon Bolton, Racine

RAM also presents two major acquisitions in hollowware that have recently arrived. On display through July 12, 2015, Chalice and Paten were created by the American silversmith Harold Schremmer (1928 - 2014) for Reverend Ronald O. Crewe, longtime pastor of Sacred Heart Church in Racine.

Fr. Crewe presented these items to RAM on the occasion of his retirement in memory of his parents, Kenneth Owen and Marie Kersten Crewe of Racine. They are the first examples of liturgical artworks to enter the museum's collection.

Harold Schremmer Chalice and Paten, 1963 Sterling silver and 14k-gold plate Racine Art Museum, Gift of Reverend Ronald O. Crewe in Cherished Memory of His Parents Kenneth Owen and Marie Kersten Crewe of Racine Photography: Jon Bolton, Racine