John Bloom: Close to Home

August 25, 2018 - January 13, 2019
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About

John Bloom: Close to Home will feature more than 60 works of art by the beloved local artist. In addition to well-known paintings, the exhibition includes childhood drawings, sketches, woodcarvings and rarely seen industrial designs.

John Vincent Bloom (1906-2002) lived within 200 miles of the Quad Cities for most of his life. Memories from his childhood in the small town of DeWitt, Iowa, often surfaced in his artwork, from his recollections of a swift escape from Sunday services at St. Joseph’s to watching farmers at work in the fields. 

At 18 years old, Bloom moved to Davenport and attended St. Ambrose College (now University) before enrolling at The Art Institute of Chicago in 1926. He attended Stone City Art Colony in 1932, where he met his future wife Isabel and studied with Grant Wood. He and Wood completed a number of mural commissions together. Following Wood’s example, Bloom was dedicated to celebrating Midwestern life in his artwork.

In addition to his celebrated paintings, sculptures and prints, Bloom’s figure sketches and examples of his work as an industrial designer will be on display, offering a new way to look at the familiar artist. An illustrated booklet, published with funds from the new William D. and Shirley J. Homrighausen Endowment for Publications, will accompany the exhibition. 

On view August 25, 2018 - January 13, 2019

John Bloom, "Summer Evening" 1936. Private collection.


Our Sponsors

Baird
TBK Bank
​Sue Quail
The Reeg Group at R W Baird

Additional support for this exhibition has been provided by the William D. and Shirley J. Homrighausen Endowment​

Past Exhibitions

ART & MORE
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LOCATION
FIGGE ART MUSEUM

225 West Second Street
Davenport, Iowa

 

PHONE

Museum | 563.326.7804

Events Office | 563.345.6657

 

MUSEUM HOURS

Monday | Closed

Tuesday - Wednesday | 10am - 5pm

Thursday | 10am - 8pm

Friday - Saturday | 10am - 5pm

Sunday | 12pm - 5pm

*Closing procedures will begin 15 minutes before closing time

 

FIGGE BAR HOURS

Monday - Wednesday Closed

Thursday 5pm - 8pm

Friday - Sunday Closed

*The Figge Bar is open every Thursday evening 5-8 p.m. and every Second Saturday of the month from 1-3 p.m.

*See calendar for holiday exceptions