Artist's Work Depicts Lake Co. During Depression Era

LIBERTYVILLE, IL — An exhibit featuring a local artist who came of age during the Great Depression, and showcases the economic and social changes he experienced in Lake County during that time, will open at the Dunn Museum in Libertyville next weekend. The "Reima Ratti: Life and Art in the Great Depression" exhibit be unveiled to the public at the Dunn Museum, 1899 W. Winchester Road in Libertyville, starting on Jan. 25 and continuing through April 12, according to a news release.

Known as Ray by his friend's, Rattis' love of art guided his life as he documented the world around him in sketches and paintings of landscapes of his community. Ratti was born in 1914 Waukegan to Finnish immigrants. The Dunn Museum has the largest known publicly held collection of Ratti's work.

"From a dark 'muddy' palate, Reima showed beauty in the toll of fisherman working their nets, the culture of Finnish baths and everyday activity inside a local diner," Dunn Museum Curator Diana Dretske said.

In 2004, his work was donated to the Dunn Museum from the estate of his fiancée, Mary Sadler.

"This is the first time the public will have the opportunity to see the range of Ratti's work," said Andrew Osborne, superintendent of educational facilities at the Lake County Forest Preserves. "The exhibit allows visitors to explore the Great Depression through the eyes of one of Lake County's most famous artists."

While about 20 paints make up the majority of the exhibit, framed sketches, 3D sculptures and memorabilia from his personal life are also included.

"Visitors also will discover why sketches are an important part of the creative process for an artist. They will have the ability to digitally flip through Ratti's sketchbook," said Steve Furnett, Dunn Museum exhibitions and collections manager.

His Finnish heritage and living in Waukegan's Finnish working class neighborhoods inspired much of his work.

The Dunn Museum is offering a wide variety of programs and events that correlate with the exhibit. Several of the programs, including a lecture, paint therapy workshop and other painting workshops are being funded by a grant from the Preservation Foundation of the Lake County Forest Preserves.

In addition, those wishing to get a sneak peak of the exhibit can visit the museum from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Friday, January 24.