In the contemporary context of a pandemic, the idea that a virus could take over has been top of mind for many people. The concept of organic invasion or intrusion is not necessarily limited to biological subjects. Playing to this idea, Racine Art Museum (RAM) and RAM’s Wustum Museum of Fine Arts in Racine, Wisconsin invited artists to submit work to Alien Invasion: RAM Virtual Community Art Show, the museum’s second-ever virtual exhibition. Existing online at ramart.org and accessible via tablets in the RAM galleries, this show will officially run from July 21, 2021 through January 22, 2022, but will remain available online even after the formal in-person closing date.

This virtual exhibition features 57 works by 58 artists from around the world—including pieces by artists who reside as far away as Saint-Eustache, Quebec; Shanghai, China; and Westport, Ireland. The works included touch upon ideas of organic invasion and intrusion, and reflect the originality and imagination of contemporary artists through a wide variety of materials.

Unique to the RAM Virtual Community Art Show is the option for viewers to vote on their favorite artwork. Announced after the formal run of the exhibition, the three artists whose pieces are voted as Audience Favorites will receive gift certificates for free studio art classes, which are offered in-person and online.