Life-sustaining yet also destructive, the transformative properties of water play a crucial role in shaping our physical and cultural landscape. On May 7th, the Figge will celebrate the beauty and power of water in the exhibition Water Views from the Figge Collection. Drawing upon its collection of European, American and Japanese paintings and works on paper, the exhibition offers a broad survey of water imagery and explores the cultural perceptions imbedded in them. This exhibition continues through August 21, 2011.
 
Works by renowned artists such as Asher Durand, James A. Whistler, Thomas Moran, Paul Signac and Utagawa Hiroshige underscores the strength of Figge’s permanent collection and allows us to reflect upon the role of the Mississippi in the Quad Cities. Works date from the mid-nineteenth to early-twentieth centuries and many were part of C.A. Ficke’s original gift to the Davenport Museum of Art.
 
This spring, Thursdays at the Figge programs will highlight themes from the exhibition. On May 12, Water Views curator Rima Girnius will lead a gallery talk of the exhibition. On May 26, Davenport artists Ralph Iacarino will lead a gallery talk about watercolor works in the exhibition and a live demonstration of the techniques used by watercolor artists. Dan Malachuk and Figge Curator of Education Ann Marie Hayes-Hawkinson will lead a gallery talk on selected exhibition works and related literature on June 9.
 
On Sundays in May at 1:30pm, public tours will focus on water-themed artwork from the Figge’s American and European collection. Guided group tours are also available for the exhibition as well as full museum tours to enhance your visit. Contact the Figge Art Museum at 563.326.7804 or visit online at figgeartmuseum.org for more information.