Bob Rockwell Portrait donation

Bob Rockwell Portrait donated to Rockwell Museum of Western Art by artist Marc Dennis

September 19, 2008

CORNING, NY - A new portrait of the Rockwell Museum of Western Art's founding collector, Robert F. Rockwell, Jr., painted by Marc Dennis is on display at the Museum. Appropriately, the portrait is hung among the works of art Bob Rockwell and his wife, Hertha, collected and donated to the Museum over 30 years ago. Entitled Portrait of Bob Rockwell, the painting has been generously donated to the Rockwell Museum of Western Art by Dennis to show gratitude and respect for Bob, who has demonstrated a strong commitment and appreciation for the arts.

"I've been a part of this region for over seven years - working as a professor of art at Elmira College. Having visited the local and regional museums time and time again, I came to realize and appreciate the significant collections that reside in our area. In fact, I had always felt that the Rockwell Museum of Western Art was particularly unique in that it's a gem of history and beauty," says Dennis.

In preparation to paint the portrait, Marc Dennis met with Bob and his daughter, Sandra, for a day last year at the Rockwell Museum. Bob told his stories while Dennis sketched him. Some photos of Bob were taken and based on those and his sketches, Dennis painted the portrait.

"I had only met him once before, a few years ago at a Museum function, but knew if I could spend some quality time with him and listen to his stories I could paint a rather unique and somewhat relaxed yet dignified portrait of Bob," says Dennis.

When asked what motivates him as an artist, Dennis responds:

"I am interested in just about everything and can be inspired by just about anything. I am motivated by the real and physical realities of everyday life and its relationship to the alternate realities existent in an effective work of art."

Dennis received his Master of Fine Arts degree from the University of Texas at Austin and his Bachelor of Arts Degree from Tyler School of Art, Temple University. He is a nationally recognized artist having exhibited in a wide variety of galleries including: The National Portrait Gallery, Washington, DC; The Institute of Contemporary Art, Boston, MA; Katonah Museum of Art, Katonah, NY, and The Cleveland Museum of Art. His work has been reviewed in the New York Times, Art News, New York Magazine, the Chicago Tribune, and quite recently in the Fall 2008 issue of Town & Country magazine, to name just a few. Dennis is represented by Hirschl and Adler Modern, New York. He is a full time professor of art at Elmira College and has touched the lives of many through his inspiring artwork and teaching.

"This is a unique and generous opportunity," says Executive Director, Kristin Swain. "To have a nationally recognized painter of Marc's stature offer to donate a painting is a wonderful gift. But what made this particularly special was that Marc was choosing to portray Bob Rockwell, for whom this Museum is named. We are honored to acquire this portrait both to recognize Bob and to ensure that his legacy endures through the work of the Museum."

Be sure to view the portrait on display now on the second floor landing. The Museum is open to the public seven days a week, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. regularly. Membership to the Museum includes year-long free admission.

Accredited by the American Association of Museums, the Rockwell Museum of Western Art is located in the center of the Finger Lakes Wine Country of New York Sate and in the heart of Corning's Gaffer District.

Image Credit: Marc Dennis, Portrait of Bob Rockwell, 2008, oil on canvas mounted on panel, 24 x 29 inches.