Segment of Three-Day Workshop by Don Reitz
Courtesy of Kim Markham
Collection Focus: Don Reitz
September 20, 2023 – February 3, 2024
at Racine Art Museum
Don (Donald) Reitz (1929–2014) holds a special place in contemporary craft, particularly in ceramics. Not only did he reinvigorate salt- and wood-firing techniques, but he was also a beloved figure who inspired numerous artists and collectors.
Similar—and yet different—to Toshiko Takaezu, another legendary figure who impacted the course of ceramics in the twentieth century, there was no separating art and life for Reitz. While Takaezu seemed to orient the connection on day-to-day practices, Reitz related to the material in a way that it became an extension of his body and a reflection of profound personal circumstances. He appeared to live an adventurous life, loving nature at an early age and feeling connected to the earth (or “dirt”) from the first time he played in it. Reitz’s energetic spirit is most obviously reflected in ceramic objects with loopy handles, textural surfaces, and direct—or indirect—evidence of his hand.
This exhibition underscores RAM’s commitment to chronicling the career of Reitz, who spent 1962–88 living and working in Wisconsin while actively teaching as faculty at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. There were already a handful of works by Reitz in RAM’s collection when a recent major gift from Leatrice S. and Melvin B. Eagle catapulted the number of his pieces to over 60. This gift established an archive for Reitz and pushed him into the top three most-collected artists working primarily in clay in the collection.
Collection Focus: Don Reitz
September 20, 2023 – February 3, 2024
at Racine Art Museum
Segment of Three-Day Workshop by Don Reitz
Courtesy of Kim Markham
Don (Donald) Reitz (1929–2014) holds a special place in contemporary craft, particularly in ceramics. Not only did he reinvigorate salt- and wood-firing techniques, but he was also a beloved figure who inspired numerous artists and collectors.
Similar—and yet different—to Toshiko Takaezu, another legendary figure who impacted the course of ceramics in the twentieth century, there was no separating art and life for Reitz. While Takaezu seemed to orient the connection on day-to-day practices, Reitz related to the material in a way that it became an extension of his body and a reflection of profound personal circumstances. He appeared to live an adventurous life, loving nature at an early age and feeling connected to the earth (or “dirt”) from the first time he played in it. Reitz’s energetic spirit is most obviously reflected in ceramic objects with loopy handles, textural surfaces, and direct—or indirect—evidence of his hand.
This exhibition underscores RAM’s commitment to chronicling the career of Reitz, who spent 1962–88 living and working in Wisconsin while actively teaching as faculty at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. There were already a handful of works by Reitz in RAM’s collection when a recent major gift from Leatrice S. and Melvin B. Eagle catapulted the number of his pieces to over 60. This gift established an archive for Reitz and pushed him into the top three most-collected artists working primarily in clay in the collection.
Sample of Work in the Exhibition
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Exhibitions at RAM are made possible by:
Platinum Partners
The Estate of Karen Johnson Boyd
David Charak
Judith and David Flegel Fund
Ron and Judith Isaacs
Windgate Foundation
Diamond Partners
Ruffo Family Foundation
Ruth Foundation for the Arts
Diane Zebell
Gold Partners
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 Partners
Anonymous
Sandy and Gus Antonneau
Baird
Lucy G. Feller
Ben and Dawn Flegel
Sharon and Tom Harty
Dave and Judy Hecker
Paula Kalke
Horizon Retail Construction, Inc.
Johnson Financial Group
Lang Family Foundation
Dorothy MacVicar
Jan Serr & John Shannon
Sandra Shove
Willard and Mary Walker
Bronze Partners
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
Media Sponsor
