On view 18 June – 3 September 2023 in the Main and East Galleries and the Lobby.
The Theme
“Finite players play within boundaries; infinite players play with boundaries.” —James P. Carse, Finite and Infinite Games
This year, we asked that participating artists incorporate the theme of "Outside the Lines" in their submissions. It was originally suggested by neon artist and museum board member Chris Orth as a way to honor the legacy of the late artist Joel Hegerle (a longtime Midwestern exhibitor and award selector for last year's exhibition), who embodied the spirit that the theme suggests. Sadly, the Rourke community lost another three longtime Midwestern exhibitors in quick succession this fall and winter who exemplified this same spirit: Milton Yergens, Gretchen Kottke, and James VerDoorn. We hope the theme celebrates their collective and individual creativity, warmth, and sense of play.
"Outside the Lines" suggests work that explores liminal spaces, challenges accepted preconceptions, boundaries, or rules, and encourages playfulness and invention. Consider the phrases "coloring outside of the lines" or "thinking outside of the box" as further illustrations of or elaborations upon this. Among the 114 entries, there are numerous and wildly divergent interpretations of these ideas (which, given the theme, will be most appropriate!).
This year, we asked that participating artists incorporate the theme of "Outside the Lines" in their submissions. It was originally suggested by neon artist and museum board member Chris Orth as a way to honor the legacy of the late artist Joel Hegerle (a longtime Midwestern exhibitor and award selector for last year's exhibition), who embodied the spirit that the theme suggests. Sadly, the Rourke community lost another three longtime Midwestern exhibitors in quick succession this fall and winter who exemplified this same spirit: Milton Yergens, Gretchen Kottke, and James VerDoorn. We hope the theme celebrates their collective and individual creativity, warmth, and sense of play.
"Outside the Lines" suggests work that explores liminal spaces, challenges accepted preconceptions, boundaries, or rules, and encourages playfulness and invention. Consider the phrases "coloring outside of the lines" or "thinking outside of the box" as further illustrations of or elaborations upon this. Among the 114 entries, there are numerous and wildly divergent interpretations of these ideas (which, given the theme, will be most appropriate!).
Awards
In the spirit of the theme, the museum devised a group of new awards to honor the memory of longtime exhibitors who passed away in the last year. All of these individuals were accomplished artists, so each award endeavors to remember a particular aspect of each honoree: James VerDoorn was the very first member of the Rourke Gallery staff in 1961; Gretchen Kottke founded and operated her own gallery; Milton Yergens had a uniquely humorous lens through which he observed the world; and Joel Hegerle was warm and encouraging of fellow artists, regardless of what stage they may be at in their careers. Below are the winners for this first experiment at a new awards scheme for the Midwestern.
• Mitchel Hoffart, "Along the Trail"; Winner of the James VerDoorn Staff Choice Award
• Kary Janousek, "The Sun Maiden"; Winner of the Gretchen Kottke Gallerist's Choice Award
• Trygve K. Olson, "My Life as a Turkey"; Winner of the Milton Yergens Wit and Whimsey in Art Award
• Winner of the Joel Hegerle People's Choice Award - To be determined (voting concludes Saturday 12 August).
• Mitchel Hoffart, "Along the Trail"; Winner of the James VerDoorn Staff Choice Award
• Kary Janousek, "The Sun Maiden"; Winner of the Gretchen Kottke Gallerist's Choice Award
• Trygve K. Olson, "My Life as a Turkey"; Winner of the Milton Yergens Wit and Whimsey in Art Award
• Winner of the Joel Hegerle People's Choice Award - To be determined (voting concludes Saturday 12 August).
Mitchel Hoffart, "Along the Trail"
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Kary Janousek, "The Sun Maiden"
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Trygve K. Olson, "My Life as a Turkey"
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