Collection Focus: Don Reitz

Donald (Don) Reitz (1929-2014) holds a special place in contemporary craft, particularly in ceramics. Not only did he reinvigorate salt and wood firing technique, but he was also a beloved figure who inspired numerous artists and collectors.

This exhibition underscores RAM’s commitment to chronicling the career of Reitz, who spent 1962-88 living and working in Wisconsin while actively teaching as faculty at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. There were already a handful of works by Reitz in RAM’s collection when a recent major gift from Leatrice and Melvin Eagle catapulted the number of his pieces to over 60. This gift established an archive for Reitz and pushed him into the top three-most collected artists working primarily in clay in the collection.

Open now through February 3, 2024.