North Cook News

In late September 2025, The Block Museum of Art’s Board of Advisors visited New York and New Haven for a weekend focused on art, dialogue, and engagement. The trip was led by Lisa Corrin, the Ellen Philips Katz Executive Director of The Block Museum.

The group began their visit at The Frick Collection in New York. Corrin and Board member Susan Johnson guided attendees through the museum’s renovated building. They viewed Old Master paintings, European sculpture, and decorative arts while exploring the updated galleries.

The next day included a private tour with artist Rashid Johnson at the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum. Johnson discussed his exhibition "Rashid Johnson: A Poem for Deep Thinkers," which is on display until January 19, 2026. His mother, Cheryl Johnson-Odim—Co-Chair of The Block’s Board of Advisors—shared insights about his career and artistic development. Katherine Brinson, Daskalopoulos Curator of Contemporary Art at the Guggenheim, welcomed the group.

Corrin commented on this experience: “The moment embodied how our Board helps create extraordinary opportunities for exchange and discovery. It brought together an internationally recognized artist and our Block community in a setting that celebrated art and learning.”

Johnson grew up in Evanston and has become a leading figure in contemporary art. His work often addresses themes such as identity and history through materials connected to personal memory and broader cultural experiences.

The Block Museum holds one of Johnson’s works—Untitled (Anxious Man) from 2015—in its permanent collection. Created with black soap and wax on white ceramic tile, this piece has been used for teaching and research since it was donated to the museum in 2020.

While in New York, the advisors also visited the Hill Art Foundation to see Igshaan Adams’ exhibition "I’ve been here all along, I’ve been waiting" and spoke with Executive Director Sarah Needham. At the International Center of Photography (ICP), they toured "Edward Burtynsky: The Great Acceleration" with ICP staff to discuss human impact on the environment.

The trip continued in New Haven at Yale University. Stephanie Wiles, Director of Yale University Art Gallery, welcomed them for guided tours alongside students. Discussions focused on incorporating art into education and research. They also visited the Yale Center for British Art for a curator-led tour of "William Blake: Burning Bright," followed by an introduction to rare collections at Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library by board member Kate Ezra.

The weekend concluded with a visit to a Northwestern trustee’s private collection featuring Light and Space artists such as James Turrell.

According to museum statements, The Block Museum Board of Advisors consists of alumni, parents, and friends who support acquisitions, exhibitions, programs, endowment growth, teaching initiatives, and lifelong learning about art’s societal impact.