Nicole Acosta
Lisette, 2023, Printed 2024
Digital inkjet print, edition 1/2
36 x 24 inches
Racine Art Museum, United Way of Racine County Equity and Innovation Grant Purchase
Photography: Courtesy of the Artist
RAM Showcase: Storytellers—Narrative Photography from Artists of Color
October 30, 2024 – February 22, 2025
at Racine Art Museum
Photography can be used to record or construct narratives about people, places, and things. Its history is built on the layered relationship between the photographer and the subject. Regardless of the subject matter, all photographs are influenced by choices filtered through the camera and at least one human who dictates numerous factors directly affecting the outcome. Considering this, viewers might wonder about the intent of the photograph—who took it and why? Images can be appreciated without knowing these details. However, the viewer’s understanding of what is being depicted and the story being told may change based on this knowledge.
The artists whose works are included in this exhibition harness the storytelling power of photographic imagery. They address social, cultural, and personal issues, including identity, the environment, community, history, and the everyday. As artists of color, their conversations are charged with the subtext of race and heritage, even if these issues are not directly addressed in their work. RAM Showcase: Storytellers, with all artwork drawn from RAM’s collection, spotlights artists of color who use photography to tell their stories in their voices, and coincides with other exhibitions that celebrate and support voices of color via photographic imagery.
More About the Exhibition
Owing to the award of an Equity Innovation Fund grant from the United Way of Racine County, RAM is organizing three different exhibitions and multiple community outreach programs that feature Mexican American artists Nicole Acosta and René Amado. Both artists use their work to address cultural identity—often centering a multidisciplinary approach that highlights their perspectives as artists of color and offers a dynamic platform to examine and reframe personal, social, and cultural issues.
Programs such as these are vital as they spotlight significant voices of color. Acosta and Amado speak to their heritage while adding to the dynamism of the contemporary art landscape and offering perspectives that can potentially engage those not otherwise inclined to visit contemporary art museums. Additionally, these two regional artists reflect the strength of creativity in the area. With RAM Showcase: Storytellers in particular, the work of Acosta and Amado is presented alongside established international photographers—with distinctive perspectives, all of the artists offer individual stories, yet nuanced and varied meaning can be derived from juxtaposition within the exhibition.
Artists in the Exhibition
Nicole Acosta, ADÁL (Adál Maldonado), René Amado, Dawoud Bey, Roy DeCarava, Sally Larsen, Yasumasa Morimura, Patrick Nagatani, Luiz González Palma, Charese Smiley, and Linda Wabanimkee.
RAM Showcase: Storytellers—Narrative Photography from Artists of Color
October 30, 2024 – February 22, 2025
at Racine Art Museum
Nicole Acosta
Lisette, 2023, Printed 2024
Digital inkjet print, edition 1/2
36 x 24 inches
Racine Art Museum, United Way of Racine County Equity and Innovation Grant Purchase
Photography: Courtesy of the Artist
Photography can be used to record or construct narratives about people, places, and things. Its history is built on the layered relationship between the photographer and the subject. Regardless of the subject matter, all photographs are influenced by choices filtered through the camera and at least one human who dictates numerous factors directly affecting the outcome. Considering this, viewers might wonder about the intent of the photograph—who took it and why? Images can be appreciated without knowing these details. However, the viewer’s understanding of what is being depicted and the story being told may change based on this knowledge.
The artists whose works are included in this exhibition harness the storytelling power of photographic imagery. They address social, cultural, and personal issues, including identity, the environment, community, history, and the everyday. As artists of color, their conversations are charged with the subtext of race and heritage, even if these issues are not directly addressed in their work. RAM Showcase: Storytellers, with all artwork drawn from RAM’s collection, spotlights artists of color who use photography to tell their stories in their voices, and coincides with other exhibitions that celebrate and support voices of color via photographic imagery.
More About the Exhibition
Owing to the award of an Equity Innovation Fund grant from the United Way of Racine County, RAM is organizing three different exhibitions and multiple community outreach programs that feature Mexican American artists Nicole Acosta and René Amado. Both artists use their work to address cultural identity—often centering a multidisciplinary approach that highlights their perspectives as artists of color and offers a dynamic platform to examine and reframe personal, social, and cultural issues.
Programs such as these are vital as they spotlight significant voices of color. Acosta and Amado speak to their heritage while adding to the dynamism of the contemporary art landscape and offering perspectives that can potentially engage those not otherwise inclined to visit contemporary art museums. Additionally, these two regional artists reflect the strength of creativity in the area. With RAM Showcase: Storytellers in particular, the work of Acosta and Amado is presented alongside established international photographers—with distinctive perspectives, all of the artists offer individual stories, yet nuanced and varied meaning can be derived from juxtaposition within the exhibition.
Artists in the Exhibition
Nicole Acosta, ADÁL (Adál Maldonado), René Amado, Dawoud Bey, Roy DeCarava, Sally Larsen, Yasumasa Morimura, Patrick Nagatani, Luiz González Palma, Charese Smiley, and Linda Wabanimkee.
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
Barbara Waldman
Windgate Foundation
Diamond Sponsors
Ruffo Family Foundation
Ruth Foundation for the Arts
Gold Sponsors
Anonymous
Osborne and Scekic Family Foundation
Trio Foundation of St. Louis
W.T. Walker Group, Inc.
Silver Sponsors
Anonymous
Baird
Ben and Dawn Flegel
Friends of Fiber Art International
Sharon and Tom Harty
Dave and Judy Hecker
Horizon Retail Construction, Inc.
Johnson Financial Group
Lang Family Foundation
Dorothy MacVicar
Jan Serr & John Shannon
Bronze Sponsors
Dave’s Wine Garage
Educators Credit Union
Express Employment Professionals
Lucy G. Feller
Hitter’s Baseball
SC Johnson
Bill and Debbie Keland
Susan Manalli
Norbell Foundation
JoAnna Poehlmann
Rasmussen Diamonds
Tito’s
Twin Disc
Media Sponsor
