The Rahr-West Art Museum marks a big milestone with the Chamber of Manitowoc County.
As part of its 75th anniversary, the art museum will have a ribbon cutting with the Chamber on Thursday, May 15th at 4:00 p.m.
Executive Director Greg Vadney explained on WOMT’s Be My Guest program that the museum wouldn’t be what it is today without the people before, including Philanthropist Ruth West, who liked to purchase art.
“She always believed, from the beginning, why not bring world class artwork to Manitowoc,” he explained. “It doesn’t necessarily have to be in New York or London or LA or Chicago. A town like Manitowoc deserves to have the best art.”
One special piece of art will also celebrate its 100th birthday, the Georgia O’Keeffe painting, Birch and Pine No. 2.
Vadney explained that O’Keefe painted the artwork in 1925 and was later bought by West.
“The museum has had it since last 1990, 1991 I think it when we dedicated it,” he recalled. “And it was a gift from Ms. Ruth West, kind of at the end of her lifetime.”
The Rahr-West Art Museum is also hosting a ticketed event called Tea at the Mansion on the 15th along with an Art of Conversation.
The first meeting of the Rahr Civic Center Board took place at Manitowoc City Hall in 1950.
Since the first meeting, the museum has grown to become a beloved treasure of the community.
The Rahr-West has also been recognized as one of America’s best small-town art museums by Readers Digest.
