
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 – July 15, 2023
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. Yet, with an emphasis on works acquired in the last five to seven years, it also highlights critical and more expansive directions to be taken.
Artists Under Consideration for the Exhibition
Boris Bally, Chunghi Choo, Cristina Cordova, Arline Fisch, Donald Friedlich, Kyohei Fujita, Katherine Gray, Kreg Kallenberger, Kyoko Kumai, Karen LaMonte, Christine Nofchissey McHorse, Myra Mimlitsch-Gray, Jaydan Moore, Wayne Ngan, Biba Schutz, Anna Skibska, Bonnie Seeman, Michael Sherrill, Kevin Snipes, Rachelle Thiewes, and Cynthia Toops
Gathering Voices at RAM: 20 Years of Building America’s Largest Contemporary Craft Collection
February 8 – July 15, 2023
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. Yet, with an emphasis on works acquired in the last five to seven years, it also highlights critical and more expansive directions to be taken.
Artists Under Consideration for the Exhibition
Boris Bally, Chunghi Choo, Cristina Cordova, Arline Fisch, Donald Friedlich, Kyohei Fujita, Katherine Gray, Kreg Kallenberger, Kyoko Kumai, Karen LaMonte, Christine Nofchissey McHorse, Myra Mimlitsch-Gray, Jaydan Moore, Wayne Ngan, Biba Schutz, Anna Skibska, Bonnie Seeman, Michael Sherrill, Kevin Snipes, Rachelle Thiewes, and Cynthia Toops
Sample of Work in the Exhibition
Click/tap an image for more information
Exhibitions at RAM are made possible by:
Platinum Sponsors
Judith and David Flegel Fund
Institute of Museum and Library Services
Ron and Judith Isaacs
Nicholas and Nancy Kurten
Windgate Foundation
Diamond Sponsors
Osborne and Scekic Family Foundation
Ruffo Family Foundation
Gold Sponsors
David Charak
Silver Sponsors
A.C. Buhler Family
Baird
Lucy G. Feller
Ben and Dawn Flegel
Annette Hirsh Family
J. Jeffers & Co.
Dorothy MacVicar
Bronze Sponsors
Anonymous
Susan Boland
Virginia Buhler
Butcher & Barrel/Amos Los Tacos
Educators Credit Union
Express Employment Professionals
Get Behind the Arts Studio Tour
William A. Guenther
Tom and Sharon Harty
Tony and Andrea Hauser
David and Judy Hecker
Bradley Lynch
Carlotta Miller
Larry and Barbara Newman
The Norbell Foundation
The Prairie School
Georgiana Treivush
Twin Disc, Inc.
Deb and Will Walker