
Christine Nofchissey McHorse
Tubaform, 2005
Micaceous clay
1 3/4 x 10 7/8 inches
Racine Art Museum, Promised Gift of Johnson Bank, Trustee of the QTIP Trust for Bill Boyd u/a Karen Johnson Boyd 1996 Trust
Photography: Jon Bolton
Gathering Voices at RAM: 20 Years of Building America’s Largest Contemporary Craft Collection
February 8, 2023 – February 24, 2024
at Racine Art Museum
Midway through RAM’s first 20 years, the museum’s contemporary craft collection was identified as the largest in North America—a designation that remains true today. Add in the considerable number of works on paper also on hand and it means that RAM represents a variety of voices—be that in terms of personal backgrounds and heritage or artistic range of expression as regards media, process, and subject matter.
A collection is a layering of choices. Who decides what one looks like? RAM staff and board consider many logistical and philosophical factors beyond the artwork itself. Who benefits from an acquisition? Does a gift further a museum or community goal? Are diverse perspectives truly being represented? Can the museum reasonably care for and maintain the artwork in perpetuity?
In addition to developing historical collection strengths such as establishing multi-piece archives that reflect an artist’s career, RAM continues to expand initiatives to champion historically underrepresented voices like those of women and artists of color. Notably, one recent step towards an even more robust and equitable landscape is the creation of a fund dedicated specifically to acquiring work by artists of color.
An anniversary allows looking back while also considering the future. On the surface, Gathering Voices is a cursory, media-specific look at 20 years of building RAM’s collection. With an emphasis on works acquired in the last five to seven years, it also highlights critical and more expansive directions to be taken.
More About the Exhibition
Artists in the Exhibition
Alvin Adkins, Joe Reyes Apodaca, Ralph Bacerra, Jamie Bennett, Marvin Blackmore, Dale Chihuly, Chunghi Choo, Jeffrey Clancy, Cristina Córdova, Patrick Shia Crabb, Carlos Estevez, Arline Fisch, Pat Flynn, Steven Ford, David Forlano, Donald Friedlich, Kyohei Fujita, Lydia Gerbi-Fast, Katherine Gray, Michael John Jerry, Tom Joyce, Kreg Kallenberger, Kyoko Kumai, Karen LaMonte, Steven Young Lee, Zachery Lechtenberg, John C. Littleton, Keith Lo Bue, Christine Nofchissey McHorse, Keisuke Mizuno, Jaydan Moore, Janet Ayako Neuwalder, Wayne Ngan, Gustavo Pérez, Ross Richmond, Meghan Patrice Riley, Marion Sak, Adrian Saxe, Biba Schutz, Bonnie Seeman, Michael Sherrill, Yoko Shimizu, Kevin Snipes, Ramona Solberg, Akio Takamori, Joan Takayama-Ogawa, Rachelle Thiewes, Cynthia Toops, Kate E. Vogel, and Pier Voulkos
Gathering Voices at RAM: 20 Years of Building America’s Largest Contemporary Craft Collection
February 8, 2023 – February 24, 2024
at Racine Art Museum

Christine Nofchissey McHorse
Tubaform, 2005
Micaceous clay
1 3/4 x 10 7/8 inches
Racine Art Museum, Promised Gift of Johnson Bank, Trustee of the QTIP Trust for Bill Boyd u/a Karen Johnson Boyd 1996 Trust
Photography: Jon Bolton
Midway through RAM’s first 20 years, the museum’s contemporary craft collection was identified as the largest in North America—a designation that remains true today. Add in the considerable number of works on paper also on hand and it means that RAM represents a variety of voices—be that in terms of personal backgrounds and heritage or artistic range of expression as regards media, process, and subject matter.
A collection is a layering of choices. Who decides what one looks like? RAM staff and board consider many logistical and philosophical factors beyond the artwork itself. Who benefits from an acquisition? Does a gift further a museum or community goal? Are diverse perspectives truly being represented? Can the museum reasonably care for and maintain the artwork in perpetuity?
In addition to developing historical collection strengths such as establishing multi-piece archives that reflect an artist’s career, RAM continues to expand initiatives to champion historically underrepresented voices like those of women and artists of color. Notably, one recent step towards an even more robust and equitable landscape is the creation of a fund dedicated specifically to acquiring work by artists of color.
An anniversary allows looking back while also considering the future. On the surface, Gathering Voices is a cursory, media-specific look at 20 years of building RAM’s collection. With an emphasis on works acquired in the last five to seven years, it also highlights critical and more expansive directions to be taken.
More About the Exhibition
Artists in the Exhibition
Alvin Adkins, Joe Reyes Apodaca, Ralph Bacerra, Jamie Bennett, Marvin Blackmore, Dale Chihuly, Chunghi Choo, Jeffrey Clancy, Cristina Córdova, Patrick Shia Crabb, Carlos Estevez, Arline Fisch, Pat Flynn, Steven Ford, David Forlano, Donald Friedlich, Kyohei Fujita, Lydia Gerbi-Fast, Katherine Gray, Michael John Jerry, Tom Joyce, Kreg Kallenberger, Kyoko Kumai, Karen LaMonte, Steven Young Lee, Zachery Lechtenberg, John C. Littleton, Keith Lo Bue, Christine Nofchissey McHorse, Keisuke Mizuno, Jaydan Moore, Janet Ayako Neuwalder, Wayne Ngan, Gustavo Pérez, Ross Richmond, Meghan Patrice Riley, Marion Sak, Adrian Saxe, Biba Schutz, Bonnie Seeman, Michael Sherrill, Yoko Shimizu, Kevin Snipes, Ramona Solberg, Akio Takamori, Joan Takayama-Ogawa, Rachelle Thiewes, Cynthia Toops, Kate E. Vogel, and Pier Voulkos
Sample of Work in the Exhibition
Click/tap an image for more information
Exhibitions at RAM are made possible by:
Platinum Sponsors
The Estate of Karen Johnson Boyd
David Charak
Judith and David Flegel Fund
Ron and Judith Isaacs
Nicholas and Nancy Kurten
Windgate Foundation
Diamond Sponsors
City of Racine’s Grow Racine Grant
Osborne and Scekic Family Foundation
Ruffo Family Foundation
Ruth Arts Foundation
Gold Sponsors
Anonymous
Tom and Irene Creecy
Richard and Patricia Ehlert
Trio Foundation of St. Louis
W.T. Walker Group, Inc.
Wisconsin Arts Board
Silver Sponsors
Anonymous
Baird
Beta Diagnostic Labs
A.C. Buhler Family
Lucy G. Feller
Ben and Dawn Flegel
Jim Harris
Sharon and Tom Harty
Horizon Retail Construction, Inc.
Lise Iwon
J. Jeffers & Co.
Johnson Financial Group
Dorothy MacVicar
Jan Serr and John Shannon
Bronze Sponsors
Ellen and Joseph Albrecht
Andis Foundation
Susan Boland
Virginia Buhler
Dave’s Wine Garage
Educators Credit Union
Express Employment Professionals
Bill and Debbie Keland
Susan Manalli
Jean and Alex Mandli, Jr.
The Prairie School
Cathy Stanghellin
Twin Disc, Inc.