As we approach the season of giving and reflect on the year, we at the Racine Art Museum (RAM) would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to all of you—our dedicated members and supporters.
Since starting as RAM’s new director in January, it quickly became clear to me how special this institution is, both to the community and the museum field as a whole. But RAM is so much more than a museum—it’s a living expression of Racine’s creative spirit, and a testament to the power of handwork, storytelling, connection, and the unyielding drive to keep moving forward.
In this exciting new chapter of RAM’s history, we are committed to learning and growing to meet the evolving needs of our community. Over the past several months, our organization has embarked on a rigorous stakeholder-driven strategic planning process. This effort has allowed us to define goals and next steps that will enhance our impact on the community—helping to ensure that Racine is not just a great place to live, work, and play, but a place we can all feel proud of and deeply connected to.
We look forward to sharing our final plan with you in early 2026. Together with our collaborators and partners, we will shape a future fueled by creativity and connection—one that bridges discipline, geography, and generation, offering both artists and audiences a dynamic platform to engage with us in the space between.
Robb Woulfe Executive Director
Director
Robb Woulfe
Year-End Campaign
Since inception, Racine Art Museum and our original campus, Charles A. Wustum Museum of Fine Arts, have been vital community resources—fostering creativity, lifelong learning, and meaningful connections as part of our mission to exhibit, collect, preserve, and educate in the contemporary visual arts.
This has been a busy year. We celebrated significant milestones, welcomed new leadership, clarified our impact, and began charting a path forward. These and other achievements bolster our ability to produce the imaginative and inspirational activities that makes our museum such a treasured cultural resource.
Moving forward, community support will be crucial to our success. We have planned an exciting slate of exhibitions and projects in 2026 and beyond, including new commissions, site-specific works, and dynamic programs. We greatly appreciate your involvement, and welcome any and all input as to how we can best serve you.
To support RAM’s work, please consider a financial contribution if you can, either by making a donation or purchasing or renewing a membership. Plus, thanks to two generous funding partners, David Charak and the Ruffo Family Foundation, every gift made to us by December 31, 2025 will be matched dollar for dollar up to $45,000 —doubling the power of your support.
In closing, we invite you to continue to see yourself in RAM —in the art, the stories, and the community that fill our creative spaces. This is your museum and we welcome you in alongside the thousands of other individuals and families that you positively impact when you make a gift to our organization. Your generosity, at any level, will make a difference and be reflected in the many lives we touch.
Here is how you can contribute:
• Online: Donate via credit card, PayPal, and more at ramart.org/donate.
• Mail: Send your donation to: Racine Arta Museum, PO Box 187, Racine, WI 53401
• Phone: Call RAM at 262.638.8300 to make a donation by credit card.
Gift Giving Ideas
Racine Art Museum Store
The Racine Art Museum Store is brimming with fresh finds for the holiday season—perfect for everyone on your list! From puzzles, scarves, mugs, jewelry, works of art, and so much more, you are sure to find something you and your loved ones will love. Experience all that we have to offer in person or shop online at racineartmuseumstore.org.
Make gift giving a little easier—and cheaper— with a new sale every week beginning November 5 through December 20. Plus, along with shopping on Black Friday, November 28, and Small Business Saturday, November 29, you will receive our best offer ever when you shop on Museum
Store Sunday, November 30— members will save 30% on purchases, triple the usual 10% discount. It’s the perfect time to support local artists, shop unique gifts, and enjoy the benefits of museum membership.
When you give a gift from the Museum Store, you’re also giving back, helping us continue to bring art, education, and inspiration to our community.
Awesome Art Sale
The annual Awesome Art Sale returns to RAM November 13–15. Featuring one-of-a-kind, museum-quality artwork and collectibles, this sale is the perfect opportunity to add to your collection or purchase unique holiday gifts! The wide variety of media represented are all thanks to our incredible supporters, who donated these works specifically for raising funds to support programs and collection care at RAM and Wustum.
As a benefit of your membership, RAM members have exclusive access to shopping the Awesome Art Sale two hours prior to public access on Thursday, November 13, and Friday, November 14. The Members Preview is from 10:00 am to Noon, and members and the public can shop from Noon until 4:00 pm.
Alongside a wonderful selection of new gifts and handmade treasures, we are especially proud to highlight the work of two Racine artists. Leslie Perrino creates one-of-a-kind pieces by hand, from forging her own chains to designing colorful enamel, aluminum, and Argentium sterling silver jewelry that is both beautiful and wearable. Alex Mandli, a longtime figure in Racine’s arts community, brings his decades of expertise to saggar-fired vessels, each one shaped by the unique alchemy of fire and clay.
These artists embody the creativity and craftsmanship that make Racine’s art scene so vibrant, and their work makes a meaningful gift this season.
Exhibitions
Through its exhibitions, programs, and collecting practices, RAM has long championed creative expressions historically overlooked by mainstream museums. With more than 40% of our holdings by women artists and a growing representation of artists of color, we remain committed to amplifying diverse perspectives.
One such way that RAM is highlighting these voices is through the exhibition On Fire Part II: Surveying Women in Glass in the Late-Twentieth Century, on display through January 24, 2026. This exhibition, an expanded version of a 2022 Windows on Fifth Gallery show, offers a deep dive into a vital period in contemporary craft by outlining the concerns of artists who explore the sculptural, visual, metaphorical, and creative potential of glass.
Fool Me Once: The Trompe L’oeil
Sculpture of Karen Dahl and James Doran showcases sculptural work by the two Canadian artists created in the trompe l’oeil (fool the eye) style. Be sure to read the artwork labels in the gallery—you may be surprised at what you are viewing!
Open through March 14, 2026, RAM Showcase: Bodies —part of an exhibition series highlighting artists of color—features work that reflects desires to study, analyze, and respond to the human body as form and content. Made from clay or washi paper, the works included in this exhibition underscore the enduring artistic interest in the body as subject.
What’s On
Looking to engage with artwork outside of RAM’s normal hours of operation? The Windows on Fifth Gallery is a unique, street-facing gallery space at RAM that is accessible to pedestrians along Fifth Street at all hours of the day.
On display through February 28, 2026, Monumental: Larger than Life-Size offers a view of works from the museum’s collection that shift the scale of everyday objects. From oversized body parts and clay vessels to an abnormally large bronze pear, these works from RAM’s collection encourage viewers to consider how size affects their expectations and opinions.
The work of five local artists is featured throughout the galleries at RAM’s Wustum Museum until November 22. RAM Artist Fellowship and Emerging Artist Exhibition 2025 is a series of concurrent solo shows of 2024–25 Artist Fellowship recipients June Ambro, Jeff Baenen, Georgia Bellas, and Richard Berns alongside Emerging Artist Erin Krembs. This biennial exhibition represents a wide range of artistic practices and accomplishments.
This year, stop by to experience a variety of ceramics, paintings and prints, sculptural wood boxes, multimedia installations, and fabric taxidermies.
Do you know an artist living in Racine or Kenosha County, or are you one yourself? Applications for the 2026–27 RAM Artist Fellowships and Emerging Artist Award are opening soon! Keep an eye on RAM’s website and social media to learn more about applying for this outstanding opportunity.
Events
Each month, Education staff at RAM’s Wustum Museum offer a free opportunity for creatives of all ages to drop in and make an art project to take home! Stop by Wustum from 3:30 to 5:00 pm on November 20 and December 18 to browse the galleries and create art inspired by work on display for a well-rounded experience. RAM Artist Fellowship recipient Georgia Bellas will be on-site for the November session to help you create a Sardinorama —a term she coined— inspired by her installations in the galleries.
Creative Crawls at RAM continue through the end of the year! Expanding on Downtown Racine’s monthly First Friday celebrations, the Creative Crawl has been drawing attention to the local arts scene by bringing poetry, music, and visual arts to multiple downtown locations. Visit RAM on November 7 and December 2 for extended hours, scavenger hunts, make-andtake art activities, and more!
Join us for the opening of Watercolor Wisconsin 2025 at RAM’s Wustum Museum with a reception on December 7, 2:00 – 4:00 pm. This longstanding juried exhibition offers a glimpse at the breadth and depth of watercolor in the state, showcasing a wide range of techniques and subject matter. The exhibition will officially open to the public on December 10.
Next year is crafted for you. Literally.
Handwork 2026 is part of a national Semiquincentennial collaboration showcasing the importance of the handmade and celebrating the diversity of craft that defines America.
Craft is universal and democratic—it unites us by bringing people of all backgrounds and beliefs together. A deeply important carrier of tradition and cultural practice, the handmade connects us through history and time.
In multiple ways, next year’s exhibitions and programs at the Racine Art Museum and RAM’s Wustum Museum will investigate the idea of “handwork” as part of a broader initiative to showcase the importance of the hand as a tool in creative expression and a reflection of humanity. Our exhibitions will explore handcraft traditions such as papercutting and studio craft practices like metalsmithing and sculptural clay. Multidisciplinary programs will include activated gallery spaces such as a puppet theater utilizing shadow silhouettes, musical concerts indoors and out, and new programs to support regional artists while allowing other opportunities to take root as well.
As part of our expanded educational programs, we invite participants to step into the traditions that shaped this community—weaving reeds into baskets as Indigenous makers have for generations, cutting delicate lace-like designs from paper in the Polish and Danish styles brought by early residents, and crafting Kringle-inspired creations honoring Racine’s sweetest claim to fame. Lake-themed workshops connect us to the shoreline, while hands-on activities celebrate the city’s industrial heritage, exploring innovation and artistry.
Also new for next year will be an expanded PEEPS® Brand Art Exhibition that will move into one of our larger galleries and feature a specially commissioned artwork. We will also debut a massive, site-specific fabric installation by artist Amanda Browder —co-created with community volunteers—that will wrap the exterior of the Racine Art Museum, transforming our building into a giant loom where place, community, and handwork interlace.
Part of our 2026 exhibition season includes:
From the Archives:
Recently Established Artist Archives at RAM
November 12, 2025 – March 14, 2026
RAM Gallery 2
A mixture of existing collection holdings and recent acquisitions that offer a glimpse into the careers of eight Wisconsin artists who helped make RAM what it is today.
RAM Showcase: Indigenous Baskets
December 10, 2025 – April 18, 2026
Wustum Showcase Gallery
A sampling of baskets from Indigenous makers that reflect generations of tradition and innovation and a variety of material sources.
Tanya Crane: Embodied Histories—
Exploring the Legacy of African Jewelry
January 21, 2026 – January 2027
RAM Gallery 1
In response to historical African jewelry in RAM’s holdings, metalsmith Tanya Crane created a body of work addressing history, race, class, and culture.
Cut It Out: Papercutting Traditions and Beyond
February 18 – October 3, 2026
RAM Gallery 3
Linking heritage, history, and handcraft, this exhibition features contemporary artists who expand upon traditional forms of papercutting.
Handmade Up North: Jewelry and Small Metals by Wisconsin Artists
March 4 – October 3, 2026
RAM Ruffo and Schumann Galleries
Responding to themes such as nature, wildlife, or the Midwestern experience, this exhibition showcases works from artists with Wisconsin ties.
Wisconsin Made: Work from RAM’s Wustum Teachers
March 13 – July 4, 2026
RAM Windows on Fifth Gallery
Showcasing a variety of works from teachers who guide one of the largest museum-based studio art programs in Wisconsin.
RAM PEEPS® Brand Art Exhibition 2026
April 1–18, 2026
RAM Gallery 2
A community exhibition showcasing artwork made from or inspired by colorful PEEPS® Brand marshmallow candy.
Racine Unified Student Art Exhibition 2026
May 6–23, 2026
Wustum
Established in 1942, the Racine Unified Student Art Exhibition features artwork created by area school children from grades K–12.
Reflecting: Wisconsin’s Women Metalsmiths at RAM
May 13 – August 29, 2026
RAM Gallery 2
Playing to historical strengths of craft innovation in Wisconsin, this exhibition features work created by women who have lived and/or taught here.
RAM Showcase: African Adornment
May 13, 2026 – March 6, 2027
RAM Gallery 2 Showcase
Incised metal adornment from the nineteenth and twentieth centuries that served as inspiration for RAM exhibiting artist Tanya Crane.
Handcrafted: RAM Community Art Show
June 10 – November 21, 2026
Wustum
This exhibition showcases the vitality of RAM’s creative community as artists address the beauty, value, and appeal of the handmade.
Stitched Stories: Narrative Quilts and Textiles from RAM’s Collection
June 10 – November 21, 2026
Wustum
Ranging from fantasy to documentary imagery, fiber pieces from RAM’s collection explore how textiles can be used to tell a story.
Michael Velliquette: Chromatic Passage
July 22, 2026 – July 2027
RAM Windows on Fifth Gallery
Using cut paper, Wisconsin-based Velliquette crafts a site-specific installation that explores the handmade, the ornamental, and the imagination.
Amanda Browder
September – November 2026
RAM Building Facade
A large-scale textile installation woven and draped across the museum’s exterior walls, where the fabric is donated by local citizens and constructed and sewn by volunteers from the area.
Wood You Believe It?: Painted Wood from RAM’s Collection
September 23, 2026 – March 6, 2027
RAM Gallery 2
Comprised of furniture, sculpture, and wall hanging works, this exhibition explores the possibilities of painted wood.
Welcome Home, Toshiko:
The Toshiko Takaezu Archive Debuts at RAM
October 28, 2026 – February 2027
RAM Gallery 3 + Ruffo and Schumann Galleries
A large-scale exhibition featuring the work of a beloved artist known for pushing the boundaries of clay and celebrating handwork in both artistic practice and daily life.
Wisconsin Photography 2026
December 9, 2026 – April 2027
Wustum
Wisconsin-based photographers offer many different points of view and styles of working in this long-running juried exhibition.
Every gift—whether of time, talent, or resources—helps bring art to life and to our community. We are deeply grateful to the members, donors, volunteers, and partners whose generosity makes everything we do possible.
Gift Memberships: Connect
Your Friends and Family
Share your enthusiasm with loved ones! Starting at just $45, the new members in your life will enjoy free RAM admission, special events, and discounts—all while supporting our mission to inspire and engage through art. Call us or visit our website to get started.
Individual Giving: Make an Impact
Annual gifts, donor circles, and special project support sustain our collections, exhibitions, and programs. Planned gifts—such as bequests or gifts of securities— allow your love of art to become a lasting legacy for future generations.
Volunteering: Share Your Time and Talent
Volunteers are the heart of RAM. From guiding tours to supporting events, they bring energy, creativity, and care that enrich every visitor’s experience.
Partnerships: Build Together
Businesses, foundations, and government partners join us in meaningful ways— through sponsorships, grants, matching gifts, and in-kind contributions— helping us expand access and impact.
RAM promotes cultural experiences in keeping with the beliefs, values, and ideals of the greater Racine community—an effort that honors and strengthens our sense of place. In order to involve the community comprehensively in our mission and draw on the multidisciplinary strengths of our peer creative community, RAM undertakes frequent collaborations with individuals, organizations, and businesses to offer relevant programming, services, and support.
Platinum Partners
The Estate of Karen Johnson Boyd
David Charak
Judith and David Flegel Fund
Ron and Judith Isaacs
Racine Community Foundation
The Estate of Marilyn Rothschild
Windgate Foundation
Diamond Partners
Ruffo Family Foundation
Ruth Arts Foundation
Diane Zebell
Gold Partners
Anonymous
Robert E. Kohler Jr. Fund
Osborne and Scekic Family Foundation
Reliance Controls Community Fund
Trio Foundation of St. Louis
W.T. Walker Group, Inc.
Wisconsin Arts Board
Silver Partners
Anonymous
Bader Philanthropies
Baird
Dave’s Wine Garage
Lucy G. Feller
Ben and Dawn Flegel
Sharon and Tom Harty
Paula Kalke
Horizon Retail Construction, Inc.
Johnson Financial Group
Dorothy MacVicar
Willard and Mary Walker
Bronze Partners
Sandy and Gus Antonneau
Carol Baylon
Rose and Peter Christensen
Educators Credit Union
Patricia and Richard Ehlert
Deborah Ganaway
Carol Griseto
Hitter’s Baseball
Bill and Debbie Keland
Susan Manalli
Norbell Foundation
O&H Danish Bakery
JoAnna Poehlmann
Rasmussen Diamonds
SC Johnson
Harold and Lois Solberg
Kathy Stranghellini
Twin Disc
Janna Waldeck
Barbara Waldman
Marc J. Wollman
Media Sponsor
Radio Milwaukee
Partnerships
Acknowledgments
Image Credits
(front cover) First Friday Creative Crawl at RAM, Photo: RAM Staff
(page 01) Erin Krembs, A Lily in Bloom, Photo: RAM Staff
(page 04, left to right, top to bottom)
Guests viewing Collection Focus: Ron Isaacs at RAM, Photo: RAM Staff; DJ Julian Gross at RAM, Photo: RAM Staff; Full Steam Ahead 2025 at Wustum, Photo: LaTasha Lux; SPARK! memory loss engagement program at Wustum, Photo: RAM Staff
(page 05, top right) Handmade scarf charm necklaces, $14
(page 05, bottom left) Holiday mugs, $10
(page 06, top left) Jar form by Alex Mandli and earrings by Leslie Perrino, Photo: RAM Staff
(page 06, bottom right) Awesome Art Sale 2024 at RAM, Photo: RAM Staff
(page 07) Installation view, On Fire Part II: Surveying Women in Glass in the LateTwentieth Century, Photo: CJ Foeckler
(page 08, top right) Etsuko Nishi, Lace Cage Bowl #168-14, Racine Art Museum, Photo: Jon Bolton
(page 08, bottom left) Karen Dahl, Buel to E, Racine Art Museum, Photo: Jon Bolton
(page 09, top right) Sergei Isupov, Ray, Racine Art Museum, Photo: Jon Bolton
(page 09, top right) Jeff Baenen, Farewell to the Prairie, Photo: Jeff Baenen
(page 10, top right) Free First Friday at RAM, Photo: RAM Staff
(page 10, bottom left) Free Drop-in for Art at Wustum, Photo: RAM Staff
(page 11) Potter’s Wheel Studio at Wustum, Photo: RAM Staff
(page 13, top to bottom) Tanya Crane, Big Pimpin, Photo: Tanya Crane; Sonja Peterson, Ghost Ship Part I, Photo: Sonja Peterson
(page 14, top to bottom) Eleanor Moty, “Prairie House” Belt Buckle, Racine Art Museum, Photo: Eleanor Moty; Toshiko Takaezu, Selections from the Star Series, Racine Art Museum, Photo: Michael Tropea
(page 15) Myra Su, String of Echoes, Photo: Nagle Photography
(page 16, top to bottom) Sam Wrobel, Creole Cowboys, Photo: Sam Wrobel; Michael Velliquette, Helios (detail), Racine Art Museum, Photo: Michael Velliquette
(page 18) Amanda Browder, Happy Coincidences #2 at Lace Museum, Brugge, Belgium, part of the 2021 Triennale Brugge, Photo: Els Degryse
(page 19) Guests viewing Fool Me Once at RAM, Photo: RAM Staff
(page 21) Groov’n in the Garden 2025 at Wustum, Photo: RAM Staff
(back cover) Jewelry for sale at Full Steam Ahead 2025, Photo: LaTasha Lux
Racine Art Museum Association
441 Main Street, Box 187
Racine, Wisconsin 53401-0187
262.638.8300
RAM’s Charles A. Wustum Museum of Fine Arts
2519 Northwestern Avenue, Racine
262.636.9177
ramart.org
Visit the Museums
Current Hours
Wednesdays – Saturdays 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Closed Sundays, Mondays, Tuesdays, and Federal Holidays
