The Ruth Davis Design Gallery is an exhibition space focused on the processes and results of design. Exhibitions include local, national, and international makers, and design students at UW–Madison. Visiting the gallery is free and open to the public.
The majority of exhibitions at the Ruth Davis Design Gallery are organized by Center for Design and Material Culture staff, campus faculty, and guest curators who collaborate with a variety of campus departments and organizations.
In addition to bringing outside makers to the space, exhibits in the Ruth Davis Design Gallery also feature work by School of Human Ecology Design Studies students working in Interior Architecture and Textiles and Fashion Design. These exhibitions are also an opportunity for students to develop exhibition design and installation skills.
If you are interested in proposing an exhibition in the Ruth Davis Design Gallery you can find more information here.
Gallery Hours:
Off view for summer 2024
(during exhibitions):
Monday–Tuesday: closed
Wednesday: 10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Thursday: 10:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m.
Friday: 10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Saturday-Sunday: 12:00–4:00 p.m.
Contact:
608-262-1162
cdmc@sohe.wisc.edu
Exhibits & Events
-
Jul22
The Trailblazers Collection - Ruth Davis Design Gallery Window
-
Oct16
Material Intelligence @ 10:00 am - @ 4:00 pm Ruth Davis Design Gallery
-
Oct16
Spheres of Influence: Glass Across UW @ 10:00 am - @ 4:00 pm Ruth Davis Design Gallery
-
Oct16
Threads: Natural Fiber and Living Lines @ 10:00 am - @ 4:00 pm Ruth Davis Design Gallery
History of the Design Gallery
During her 32-year career in the School, Ruth Danielson Davis (BS ’31, MS ’40, MFA ’76) developed the artistic talents of thousands of students and exhibited her artwork across the world. Appointed to the Related Art Department (now Design Studies) in 1943, Davis taught “Fundamentals of Design,” and authored a textbook to accompany it. Her advanced elective courses included “3-D Design,” “History of American Interiors,” and the and the laboratory portion of Helen Allen’s course on decorative textiles.
Davis was futuristic, as well as grounded, in viewing the natural environment as the source for sound design thinking. She was concerned with green and sustainable design 50 years before they became known as environmental design concepts.
Ruth Davis’ transformational estate gift to the School of Human Ecology in 2012 underscores her commitment to the faculty and students.
She is also honored on the 100 Women Wall of Honor, permanent art installation at the School of Human Ecology.
![Fabric tag surrounded by textile remnants with the text Made in SoHE, 100% Student Work [washing symbols]. Produced with Passion. On View April 24-May 12](https://cdmc.wisc.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/555/2024/05/MadeInSoHE-600x600-1.jpg)
