This summer, the Figge Art Museum invites visitors to celebrate architecture, expressionism, cats and community creativity with four new exhibitions.
From the story of the museum’s building in downtown Davenport to powerful artwork from the past, playful pieces featuring felines and a creative project made with community help, there’s something for everyone. The new exhibits are:
Fever Dreams: German Expressionism
On display from Saturday, June 21, to Sunday, Dec. 7.
This exhibition presents the work of early 20th-century European artists, including Käthe Kollwitz, Arthur Segal and Ludwig Meidner, who defied tradition and political injustice by putting their inner visions on paper. German Expressionism began when a group of young artists boldly interpreted the world as an act of freedom and a political statement against “old, established forces.” In a time of war, revolution and persecution, this artwork is often emotionally fraught and holds an expressive power that remains as strong today as it was a century ago. This exhibition will feature loans from the David and Sarojini Johnson Print Collection. The Figge is partnering with the nearby German American Heritage Center and Museum, which will have a companion exhibition of German Expressionist prints.
Cats!
On display from Sunday, June 21, to Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026.
This exhibition explores artwork featuring fascinating felines from the museum collection and on loan. Beloved by many humans for their mischievous nature, companionship and beauty, cats were featured prominently in the visual art of various cultures — whether transformed into Ancient Egyptian deities or as the subject of internet memes — and they continue to act as artistic muses. This exhibition will explore artwork featuring cats in a range of mediums, including printmaking, sculpture, paintings and video, with a special section focusing on their wild counterparts as well as interactive elements showing how feline friends continue to inspire us.
Chain Re·ac·tion
On display from Sunday, June 21, to Sunday, Sept. 28.
Chain Reaction is a process in which the products themselves promote or spread the reaction. At the Figge, that process begins with a creative spark: works from the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art are thoughtfully paired with pieces from the Figge’s own collection. From there, community partner organizations and local artists interpret these pairings and collaborate to create original murals inspired by their responses. These new works will take center stage in the Mary Waterman Gildehaus Community Gallery. Visitors are invited to engage with the murals, reflect on the pairings and add their own voices through commentary, interactive prompts and art-making activities — creating a continuous cycle of inspiration, reflection and response.
Model Museum
On display from Tuesday, July 1, to Sunday, Aug. 31.
In 1999, representatives from the Davenport Museum of Art selected Sir David Chipperfield — then an emerging force in contemporary architecture — from a pool of six firms to design a new museum on the Davenport riverfront. Six years later, the completed building opened to widespread acclaim, celebrated for its clean lines, luminous green glass façade and dramatic interior spaces.
This exhibition marks the 20th anniversary of the Figge Art Museum’s opening and explores the creative journey behind its design — from Chipperfield’s earliest sketches to the final architectural vision. Featuring original drawings, photographs and models, the display highlights how the architect responded to the riverfront site, the needs of the institution and the surrounding community. It also examines the recent addition of Leo Villareal’s Evanescent Field, and how it has been integrated into the building’s exterior.
“Your summer bucket list starts here,” said Figge Co-Senior Curator Vanessa Sage. “Whether you’re drawn to expressive prints, creative murals, curious cats, or the story behind our iconic building, there’s something new and exciting around every corner.”
