
Ginny Ruffner
Tower of Fruit and Flowers, 1995
Glass, oil and enamel paint
Racine Art Museum, Gift of Dale and Doug Anderson
Photography: Michael Tropea, Chicago
Hot Stuff from the Hothouse: Floral Images from RAM’s Collection
January 18 – May 25, 2009
at Racine Art Museum
This show exemplifies RAM’s intent to successfully show graphics and paintings together with artworks in craft media. In this case, all the works are unified by floral subject matter. The symbolism of flowers—lilies for purity, colors of roses communicating different emotional messages—is part of both folklore and painting traditions. Tulips had such an effect on 17th century Holland, that they not only inspired many Dutch still life paintings, they also touched off an economic disaster. The mania caused by the speculative selling of these bulbs, as well as their frequent depictions in art of the colonial age, show their impact on society and culture as newly traded goods.
The theme for this RAM exhibition is partly inspired by Watercolor Wisconsin 2008 at RAM’s Wustum Museum of Fine Arts. Now in it’s 42nd year, this annual statewide competition has made Racine a center of watercolor activity in the Midwest. Many works in each year’s competition are devoted to floral subject matter—both realistic and abstract.
Many paintings appearing in Hothouse were actually purchased for RAM’s permanent collection from past Watercolor Wisconsin competitions. This tradition continues. One of this year’s purchases is a floral piece by Kitty Sturrock entitled Spidermum and Alstroemeria, which won the Rufin and Mary Ann Naczinski Purchase Award and is among four other pieces that will be added to RAM’s collection
More About the Exhibition
Hot Stuff from the Hothouse: Floral Images from RAM’s Collection
January 18 – May 25, 2009
at Racine Art Museum

Ginny Ruffner
Tower of Fruit and Flowers, 1995
Glass, oil and enamel paint
Racine Art Museum, Gift of Dale and Doug Anderson
Photography: Michael Tropea, Chicago
This show exemplifies RAM’s intent to successfully show graphics and paintings together with artworks in craft media. In this case, all the works are unified by floral subject matter. The symbolism of flowers—lilies for purity, colors of roses communicating different emotional messages—is part of both folklore and painting traditions. Tulips had such an effect on 17th century Holland, that they not only inspired many Dutch still life paintings, they also touched off an economic disaster. The mania caused by the speculative selling of these bulbs, as well as their frequent depictions in art of the colonial age, show their impact on society and culture as newly traded goods.
The theme for this RAM exhibition is partly inspired by Watercolor Wisconsin 2008 at RAM’s Wustum Museum of Fine Arts. Now in it’s 42nd year, this annual statewide competition has made Racine a center of watercolor activity in the Midwest. Many works in each year’s competition are devoted to floral subject matter—both realistic and abstract.
Many paintings appearing in Hothouse were actually purchased for RAM’s permanent collection from past Watercolor Wisconsin competitions. This tradition continues. One of this year’s purchases is a floral piece by Kitty Sturrock entitled Spidermum and Alstroemeria, which won the Rufin and Mary Ann Naczinski Purchase Award and is among four other pieces that will be added to RAM’s collection
More About the Exhibition
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
Windgate Foundation
Diamond Sponsors
Ruffo Family Foundation
Ruth Foundation for the Arts
Diane Zebell
Gold Sponsors
Anonymous
A.C. Buhler Family
Robert E. Kohler Jr. Fund
Osborne and Scekic Family Foundation
Reliance Controls
Trio Foundation of St. Louis
W.T. Walker Group, Inc.
Silver Sponsors
Anonymous
Sandy and Gus Antonneau
Baird
Lucy G. Feller
Ben and Dawn Flegel
Sharon and Tom Harty
Dave and Judy Hecker
Paul Kalke
Horizon Retail Construction, Inc.
Johnson Financial Group
Lang Family Foundation
Dorothy MacVicar
Jan Serr & John Shannon
Sandra Shove
Willard and Mary Walker
Bronze Sponsors
Carol Baylon
Rose and Peter Christensen
Dave’s Wine Garage
Educators Credit Union
Patricia and Richard Ehlert
Express Employment Professionals
Deborah Ganaway
Carol Griseto
Hitter’s Baseball
SC Johnson
Bill and Debbie Keland
Nancy and Nick Kurten
Susan Manalli
Norbell Foundation
JoAnna Poehlmann
Rasmussen Diamonds
Harold and Lois Solberg
Kathy Stranghellini
Tito’s
Twin Disc
Janna Waldeck
Barbara Waldman