Advertisement
RAUSCHENBERG at 100: As Large as the World isJanuary 15 – May 2, 2026
Bob Rauschenberg Gallery Annex
Opening with ArtSPEAK@FSW lecture by Black Mountain College Museum + Arts Center Director Jeff Arnal on Thursday, January 15th at 6pm and reception to follow from 7pm-8:30pm.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FORT MYERS, FL — Florida Southwestern State College (FSW) is proud to announce “RAUSCHENBERG at 100: As Large as the World is,” a landmark exhibition celebrating the birth centenary of the legendary artist, Gallery-namesake and longtime local Captiva Island resident, Robert “Bob” Rauschenberg.
Opening January 15 and running through May 2, 2026, this exhibition serves as the first solo Rauschenberg show curated specifically for the Bob Rauschenberg Gallery Annex space (J-118). The title is drawn from the artist’s own deeply-held belief and profound philosophy on the interconnectedness of local and global perspectives: “Fort Myers is as small as your mind is. It can be just as large as the world is.”
Exhibition Highlights: From Captiva to the Moon
The exhibition focuses on the artist’s deep ties to Southwest Florida, featuring locally-produced and privately-held works—most never before exhibited and spanning several pivotal decades of his career, including:
• “Autobiography” (1968): A monumental “self portrait” triptych created the same year that Rauschenberg purchased his first property and home on Captiva Island.
• Unique paintings and transfer drawings: featuring original works from the acclaimed SPREADS, BOREALIS, ANAGRAM, and RUNT series.
• The “MOON MUSEUM” (1969): A tiny but mighty collective artwork (and the first-ever “Space Art” object) featuring contributions from Rauschenberg, Andy Warhol and others. Covertly attached to the Apollo 12 lunar lander and later described as “the smallest piece I have ever made” and “also the farthest away,” as Rauschenberg recalled, “I made a piece that is approx. 1” x ½” [that] was flown to the Moon by NASA and stored there for future discovery.”
A Legacy of Peace and Collaboration
The exhibition also honors Rauschenberg’s role as a global diplomat. Between 1984 and 1991, he launched the Rauschenberg Overseas Culture Interchange (ROCI) at the United Nations. By bringing art to nations such as Cuba, Chile, Tibet, China and the Soviet Union during the height of the Cold War, Rauschenberg used the creative process to transcend political borders, foster cross-cultural understanding and to promote world peace.
As Pulitzer Prize-winning art critic Jerry Saltz famously remarked, "Robert Rauschenberg was not a giant of American art; he was the giant."
Opening Night Events: Thursday, January 15, 2026
The public is invited to celebrate the centenary opening with two special, free events:
• 6:00 PM: ArtSPEAK@FSW lecture on Bob Rauschenberg by Jeff Arnal, Executive Director of the Black Mountain College Museum + Arts Center/Asheville, NC.
• 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM: Opening Reception.
Quick Facts for Visitors
• Dates: January 15 – May 2, 2026
• Location: Bob Rauschenberg Gallery Annex (Building J-118), FSW Lee Campus
• Admission: Free and Open to the Public
• Gallery Hours: Monday – Saturday, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM (Closed holidays)
More about us: The Bob Rauschenberg Gallery was founded as The Gallery of Fine Art in 1979 on the Lee County campus of Florida Southwestern State College/FSW (then Edison Community College). On June 4th 2004, the Gallery of Fine Art was renamed the Bob Rauschenberg Gallery to honor and commemorate our long-time association and friendship with the artist. Over more than three decades until his death, the Gallery worked closely with Rauschenberg to present world premiere exhibitions including multiple installations of the “¼ Mile or Two Furlong Piece.” The artist insisted on naming the space the Bob Rauschenberg Gallery (versus the “Robert Rauschenberg Gallery”) as it was consistent with the intimate, informal relationship he maintained with both our local Southwest Florida community and FSW. For the dedication ceremony, the artist (as he often did) created an original print edition to benefit the Gallery and to commemorate this important event. As he had recently suffered a stroke, Rauschenberg inked his thumb with orange pigment, adding a unique impression on each lithograph and simply signed them “Bob.”
For additional information please call: 239-489-9313
Visit our web site, www.RauschenbergGallery.com and follow us on Facebook
Bob Rauschenberg Gallery Annex
Florida Southwestern State College
8099 College Parkway, Building J-118
Fort Myers, FLORIDA 33919
Advertisement
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Florida SouthWestern State College / 8099 College Pkwy SW, Fort Myers, FL, United States, Florida 33919
Concerts, fests, parties, meetups - all the happenings, one place.
