Warrington Colescott
The Death of Dillinger, 1964
Color etching
Racine Art Museum, Gift of Karen Johnson Boyd
Photography: Michael Tropea, Chicago

The Scene of the Crime: Warrington Colescott Depicts Dillinger

May 24 – September 6, 2009
at Racine Art Museum

RAM marked the release of the film Public Enemies with an exhibition of prints, based on the exploits of John Dillinger, by internationally recognized Wisconsin artist Warrington Colescott. On November 20, 1933, the legendary gangster of the Depression, John Dillinger robbed the bank that once occupied the Racine Art Museum building. The Scene of the Crime commemorates this historic event.

Featuring the exploits of fabled Depression era outlaw Dillinger, this exhibition of graphics is drawn from RAM’s extensive holdings of work by the Wisconsin printmaker, Warrington Colescott. In the 1960s, Colescott created a series of etchings based on stories he heard about John Dillinger. Many of these prints were in RAM’s collection before the new museum opened on the site in 2003. For added interest, the show was displayed in a space adjacent to one of the bank’s original vaults, still intact inside RAM and rarely seen by the public.

More About the Exhibition

Press Room

The Scene of the Crime: Warrington Colescott Depicts Dillinger

May 24 – September 6, 2009
at RAM’s Wustum Museum
Warrington Colescott
The Death of Dillinger, 1964
Color etching
Racine Art Museum, Gift of Karen Johnson Boyd
Photography: Michael Tropea, Chicago

RAM marked the release of the film Public Enemies with an exhibition of prints, based on the exploits of John Dillinger, by internationally recognized Wisconsin artist Warrington Colescott. On November 20, 1933, the legendary gangster of the Depression, John Dillinger robbed the bank that once occupied the Racine Art Museum building. The Scene of the Crime commemorates this historic event.

Featuring the exploits of fabled Depression era outlaw Dillinger, this exhibition of graphics is drawn from RAM’s extensive holdings of work by the Wisconsin printmaker, Warrington Colescott. In the 1960s, Colescott created a series of etchings based on stories he heard about John Dillinger. Many of these prints were in RAM’s collection before the new museum opened on the site in 2003. For added interest, the show was displayed in a space adjacent to one of the bank’s original vaults, still intact inside RAM and rarely seen by the public.

More About the Exhibition

Press Room

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
Racine Community Foundation logo
Barbara Waldman
Windgate Foundation

Diamond Sponsors

City of Racine’s Grow Racine Grant
Ruffo Family Foundation
Ruth Arts Foundation

Gold Sponsors

Anonymous
Tom and Irene Creecy
Richard and Patricia Ehlert
Osborne and Scekic Family Foundation
Reliance Controls Community Fund
Trio Foundation of St. Louis
W.T. Walker Group, Inc.

Wisconsin Arts Board 50th Anniversary Logo

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.
Johnson Financial Group
Dorothy MacVicar
Jan Serr and John Shannon

Bronze Sponsors

Ellen and Joseph Albrecht
Susan Boland
Dave’s Wine Garage
Educators Credit Union
Express Employment Professionals
Bill and Debbie Keland
Susan Manalli
Jean and Alex Mandli, Jr.
Norbell Foundation
Cathy Stanghellini
Twin Disc

Media Sponsor

Radio Milwaukee logo

Love Art?  You’ll Love RAM!

The mission of the Racine Art Museum is to exhibit, collect, preserve, and educate in the contemporary visual arts. Stay up-to-date about special events as well as support the mission of the largest contemporary craft collection in America: