1997: 50 Works for 50 Years

Laura Rodgers

untitled

Laura Rodgers, untitled painting of a forest fire
Laura Rodgers
untitled
oil on canvas, n.d.
South 啵啵直播秀 Art Museum Collection, 1997.25.
Given in memory of Elmer and Ethel Engebretson by their sons Glenn E. and Duane H. Engebretson.
漏 South 啵啵直播秀 Art Museum
Laura Rodgers, untitled painting of a forest fire - during conservation treatment showing areas where grime has been removed
Conservation treatment
During conservation treatment at the Midwest Art Conservation Center, 2000. The two dark squares are areas of the heavy grime layer that had not been removed yet.

In 1998 the permanent collection was moved out of the building in preparation for a renovation and expansion project. Lisa Scholten became the museum鈥檚 first Curator of Collections that year, after working two years as a consultant on the Marghab Linen Collection. During the move, Lisa particularly admired this Laura Rodgers (1870 鈥 1958) painting as it captured 鈥渟o many senses鈥 鈥 the feeling of wind and heat, and the smell of burning trees and ground covering. She also noticed that the painting had come to the museum in need of conservation treatment.

She contacted the donors, twin brothers and business partners , who had grown up with the painting in their parents鈥 living room. The Engebretsons agreed to fund the painting鈥檚 conservation treatment. Trained conservators at the Midwest Art Conservation Center in Minneapolis repaired tears and losses in the canvas and removed a heavy grime layer.

Glenn E. and Duane H. Engebretson with Laura Rodger's untitled painting, donated to South 啵啵直播秀 Art Museum in 1997.
Glenn E. and Duane H. Engebretson
Pictured here with the Laura Rodgers painting, upon its donation to the museum in 1997.

Laura Rodger's painting was the first of many works conserved during Lisa鈥檚 tenure at the museum. From 1998 鈥 2018 she coordinated the conservation of 65 works by Harvey Dunn and wrote grants to fund the treatment of works by Paul Goble and Ada Caldwell as described in this 2015 news release: "South 啵啵直播秀 Art Museum receives grant to conserve Ada Caldwell artwork."

The museum continues to focus on preservation of the permanent collection. In 2020, five works on paper by Harvey Dunn were conserved, allowing their inclusion in the exhibition, "ALL DUNN: The Complete Harvey Dunn Collection." If you would like to help fund current conservation priorities contact Taylor McKeown or , denoting your gift for conservation funding.

Explore "50 Works for 50 Years"

South 啵啵直播秀 Art Museum makes no representation that it is the owner of any copyright in the works of art in its collection. It is the user鈥檚 responsibility to obtain necessary permissions and pay required fees for the use of copyrighted material. Users are held fully responsible for any infringement of copyright.