Current Exhibitions

The Rockwell Museum collection portrays the spirit, character and values of America through the eyes of American artists.

permanent collection           upcoming exhibitions        

student exhibits        past exhibitions

Our collection is more than a sampling of traditional American artists – the pieces housed within our Museum walls convey the story of the American experience. A diverse and unique display, the artwork prompts us to think critically and challenge our conceptions of the great American West and the people who live there.

Our collections and rotating exhibits serve great purpose in the community. These works of art are functional teaching pieces – they present some of our best opportunities to connect with our audiences, young and old.  

Here is what you’ll see at The Rockwell Museum right now:  

Spotlight Exhibition

Nancy Lamb: Through the Artist’s Lens

May 17 – September 8, 2019

Nancy Lamb (American, born 1956) is a sculptor and painter who blends aspects of whimsy, wit and sophistication to create snapshots of interpersonal intrigue. Her characters and scenarios, nameless and cryptic, depict our friends, our neighbors, our families and ourselves from the perspective of a voyeuristic, all-seeing eye.

This exhibition is made possible by James B. Flaws and Marcia D. Weber.

the artist’s lens

Special Exhibitions

---

Framed: Step into Art™
Created by the Minnesota Children’s Museum

May 25 – September 8, 2019  

This summer at the KIDS ROCKWELL Art Lab, step inside the framework of famous paintings and experience art like never before. Children and adults can enjoy a robust noontime meal in Grant Wood’s Dinner for Threshers, climb into a tent and explore camping gear in John Singer Sargent’s Camp at Lake O’Hara and add “corn husks” to the flower tower in Diego Rivera’s Corn Festival.

This exhibition is made possible by local sponsors John G. Ullman & Associates Foundation, Inc., Community Foundation of Elmira-Corning and the Finger Lakes, Inc., and Peter and Kathleen Schweizer, with thanks to our local media sponsor, Mountain Home Magazine.

step into art

Andy Warhol’s Art Factory featuring the Marilyn Monroe Suite
On loan from The Swope Art Museum

May 24 – September 3, 2019

This summer at The Rockwell, experience the art and influence of pop artist Andy Warhol. See the large scale Marilyn Monroe Suite, a silkscreened can of Black Bean Soup, both on loan from the Swope Art Museum. Plus, explore more Warhol artworks on loan from local private collections. Become part of the Art Factory yourself with take-home projects and activities within the exhibition.

This exhibition is made possible by Laura Coleman and Tom Halgash, and Melissa Gambol.

art factory

Eye Contact: Contemporary Native American Photography from the Permanent Collection

January 25 – December 31, 2019

This intimate exhibition explores complex themes of Native American identity as seen through the lens of First Nations photographers, including Zig Jackson, Shelley Niro, Mario Martinez and Rosalie Favelle. Through their work, many Native American artists address the complex and often conflicting nature of their cultural identity, being both Native Americans and United States citizens.

eye contact

Antigravity: Needle-and-bowl by Melissa Vandenberg

March 8, 2019 – February 16, 2020

Melissa Vandenberg finds inspiration in ordinary materials, using items like matches, quilts, stickers, popsicles and temporary tattoos to address issues of power, mortality, patriotism and pride. Vandenberg used hundreds of handkerchiefs to create a site-specific installation in The Rockwell’s rotunda entryway. Vandenberg also had the opportunity to serve as a Guest Artist in the Corning Museum of Glass Hot Shop Amphitheater.

antigravity

150th Anniversary of Glassmaking in Corning

December 22, 2017 – May 9, 2019

The Rockwell joins our sister institution, Corning Museum of Glass, in celebrating the 150^th anniversary of glassmaking in Corning. This installation features the work of Frederick Carder, lead designer for Steuben Glass Works from 1903 -1932.

learn more

Lock, Stock & Barrel

Ongoing

This selection of historic long arms and handguns is from the Robert F. “Bobby” Rockwell, III collection. From the American Revolution to the Hollywood cowboy, these historic firearms help tell the story of America and explores two and a half centuries of innovation in technology.

Historic Firearms