The Rockwell Museum Features Americana

Marilyn Jones 6/18/245:00 AM

When considering Corning, New York, most first associate the city with Corning Glass and its Museum.

However, The Rockwell Museum also stands out among the museums in town. As upstate New York's only Smithsonian Affiliate, it offers a unique experience, showcasing fine art and special exhibits.

The Museum boasts an exclusive world-class collection of Western and contemporary Native American Art, including its first Iroquois gallery and other exhibits focusing on "Art About America." This unique collection is a testament to the Museum's commitment to showcasing art that is not only beautiful but also deeply significant.

Before exploring the artwork featuring the land and ideas that have shaped and continue to shape America, take a moment to read the panels near the staircase, which tell about the Rockwells and how the Museum began.

The foundational components of the Museum's collection were gifted by Bob and Hertha Rockwell, local business owners who amassed a notable selection of fine American art and artistic objects of material culture.

Photos show the collection being on display in the couple's department store. By 1974, the couple and a group of executives from Corning Glass Works (now Corning Incorporated) collaborated to develop the Rockwell's private collection into a public museum. The Museum opened to the public in 1976.

The Museum is housed in Corning's former City Hall.

The diverse collection of American paintings, drawings, sculptures, photography, and artistic objects of material culture offers an impressive view of the American experience.

I strolled past paintings, sculptures, baskets, and clothing, all artwork portraying the American experience.

The Museum is now featuring "Experimentation & Representation: The Photography of William Wegman" through September 3. Wegman is one of America's most popular photographers, famous for his images of Weimaraners.