Featured image: René Amado, Chingona, 2021, High-gloss metal print. Courtesy of the artist.
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Racine, Wisconsin – The Racine Art Museum (RAM) invites the public to explore Mexican culture and identity in the arts at an upcoming Community Briefing with local artists Nicole Acosta and René Amado. This free event will be hosted at The Johnson Foundation at Wingspread, 33 East Four Mile Road in Racine, on Wednesday, March 26, 2025, from 6:00 to 8:00 pm. Advance online registration is required.
In 2024, the United Way of Racine County awarded RAM its Equity Innovation Fund grant, which provided the opportunity to showcase the talents of Acosta and Amado. Both artists use their work to address cultural identity, often centering a multidisciplinary approach that highlights their perspectives as artists of color and offers a dynamic platform to examine and reframe personal, social, and cultural issues.
Acosta and Amado’s works were featured in three exhibitions at RAM and RAM’s Charles A. Wustum Museum of Fine Arts: Nicole Acosta: HOOPS —Behind the Aesthetic Lies the Story, Low: René Amado, and RAM Showcase: Storytellers— Narrative Photography from Artists of Color. These exhibitions highlighted powerful narratives regarding the cultural significance of hoop earrings and lowrider vehicles—shedding light on the experiences of marginalized communities and challenging harmful stereotypes and racism. Additionally, RAM used part of the Equity Innovation Fund grant to acquire a photograph from Acosta’s HOOPS Project for the museum’s permanent collection.
Art & Identity: Exploring the Shared Stories of Artists Nicole Acosta and René Amado will delve into key cultural elements, history, traditions, and contemporary issues through a creative perspective. The artists will lead a discussion followed by time for the audience to ask questions and respond to the artists. After the discussion, participants are invited to network if desired, highlighting the event’s goal of fostering a stronger and more connected community.
Further information and advance registration are available at event.johnsonfdn.org/profile/web/143508. Online registration is open through March 19, 2025.
About the Racine Art Museum
The two campuses of the Racine Art Museum—RAM in downtown Racine at 441 Main Street and the Charles A. Wustum Museum of Fine Arts (Wustum) at 2519 Northwestern Avenue—are located in Racine, Wisconsin, a historic community on the shores of Lake Michigan. RAM is home to the largest contemporary craft collection in North America and has a reputation for its award-winning architecture and nationally recognized exhibition program. Wustum is home to the organization’s diverse, award-winning art education programs and has presented significant art exhibitions since 1941.
About The Johnson Foundation at Wingspread
The mission of The Johnson Foundation at Wingspread is to create intimate, inspiring meeting and conference experiences that foster collaboration and innovative problem-solving. Bringing more than six decades of convening expertise to regional, national and global groups of leaders and experts, the Foundation is wholly dedicated to convening for positive and lasting change.
About the United Way of Racine County
United Way of Racine County advances the common good and creates opportunities for a better life for all by focusing on education, income, and health. The organization recruits the people and organizations from all across the community who bring the passion, expertise, and resources to get things done.