News Article

FineMark Bank Named Title Sponsor for Rauschenberg Solo Exhibit at FSW

Sep 17, 2014

FineMark National Bank & Trust has been named the $25,000 title sponsor of RAUSCHENBERG: China/America Mix at the Bob Rauschenberg Gallery at Florida SouthWestern (FSW) State College. The exhibit opens October 22.

RAUSCHENBERG: China/America Mix is the first solo exhibition of Rauschenberg’s art at FSW since the artist’s death in 2008. He had maintained a close relationship with FSW since the 1970s and a decade ago agreed to lend his name to the fine arts gallery on campus – shifting it from the Gallery of Fine Arts to the Bob Rauschenberg Gallery at FSW.

The Rauschenberg exhibit will open to the public from October 22 to December 17 and is part of the gallery’s fall 2014 focus on his legacy and impact.

FineMark has been a long-time supporter of the college by providing over $100,000 for programs and scholarships.

“We are pleased to provide support to Florida SouthWestern State College through our sponsorship of the Bob Rauschenberg Gallery. This gallery provides an opportunity for all to experience artistic works from around the world,” said Joseph R. Catti, president and CEO of FineMark National Bank & Trust. “By sponsoring the Bob Rauschenberg show, FineMark is able to support the arts within our community.”

Catti added that the sponsorship also expresses FineMark’s commitment to Fran and the late Dr. John Fenning, a Lee County surgeon and philanthropist, who supported the arts and held one of the largest Rauschenberg collections in the world.

“In celebration of the 10-year anniversary of our renaming as the Bob Rauschenberg Gallery, it is an honor to be working so closely with our friends at FineMark to present the first major solo exhibition of Rauschenberg’s work in this community since the his death in 2008.  This ambitious endeavor simply would not have been possible without the shared vision and generous support of FineMark.  For their essential role, we are deeply appreciative,” said Jade Dellinger, director of exhibitions for the Bob Rauschenberg Gallery.

“This generous sponsorship is an incredible opportunity to reconnect with FineMark in order to showcase the arts at FSW. The college is transforming itself into a hot spot for the arts and exhibitions like this provide our students and the community with an exposure to world-class pieces,” said Arlene M. Knox, senior director of Development and Planned Giving for the FSW Foundation.

The Bob Rauschenberg Gallery at FSW is currently exhibiting the Moon Museum until September 27, an experimental piece of “Space Art” co-created by Rauschenberg, John Chamberlain, Forrest Myers, David Novros, Claes Oldenburg, and Andy Warhol.

For more information about the gallery or upcoming events, visit www.RauschenbergGallery.com or call (239) 489-9313.

Last Updated: September 17, 2014