In honor of Krannert Art Museum’s 50th Anniversary Celebration, KAM focused on an installation of works that spoke to the strength of its permanent collection.
The Contemporary American Painting exhibitions at the University of Illinois began in 1948 with the foresight of individuals who felt compelled to promote contemporary art as well as build a collection for the university. In 1953, sculpture was added and the exhibition series became known as the Contemporary American Painting and Sculpture exhibition (CAPS). These exhibitions aimed to showcase a stylistic cross-section of contemporary American paintings and sculpture and coincided with the campus-wide Festival of Contemporary Arts.Building a Modern Collection: A Look Back included approximately 30 paintings and sculptures purchased from the CAPS exhibitions, as well as archival photographs and other printed material.
Exhibition Programming
March 16–5 pm
Members' Night
Museum members were invited to enjoy a wine and cheese reception, experience a special viewing of the exhibition Building a Modern Collection: A Look Back, and hear first-hand accounts from those who were involved with the CAPS exhibitions. Guest speakers included Marcel Franciscono, professor emeritus of Art History; Jerome A. Savage, professor emeritus of Painting; Leo Segedin, UIUC art alumnus and professor emeritus, Northeastern University; and Winton Solberg, professor emeritus of History.
