From his immigrant upbringing to his rebellious artistic journey in New York City, his leftist ideologies, and eventual impact on the Washington, DC art scene, Jacob Kainen’s story is one of perseverance and passion. Despite facing challenges like McCarthyism and career limitations, he found solace in his art, especially with the support of his second wife, Ruth. His legacy as an artist’s artist and influential mentor endures, shaping generations of artists to come.

The film’s world premiere will take place at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC, at Noon on Saturday, February 22, 2025. A panel and Q&A discussion will follow. The screening is free, but please register here.

CREDITS

MARK CHRISTOPHER COVINO
Director, Writer & Editor

JONATHAN GANN
Producer

LAURA KROEGER
Associate Producer

TIM WILSON and TONY REAMES
Cinematography

DARIUS HOLBERT
Original Music

GENE COWAN
Animation

KELLEY BAKER
Sound Mixing

JOY JOHNSON
Makeup & Hair

TERESA GRANA
Senior Executive Producer

INTERVIEWS (in alphabetical order):

SAMANTHA BASKIND, Distinguished Professor of Art History, Cleveland State University

AVIS BERMAN, Writer and Art Historian

BOBBY DONOVAN, Painter, Printmaker, Jacob Kainen’s Longtime Studio Assistant

SETH FEMAN, Executive Director and CEO, Frist Art Museum

DAN KAINEN, Artist, Son of Jacob Kainen

RICHARD J. POWELL, John Spencer Bassett Distinguished Professor of Art & Art History, Duke University

JONATHAN F. WALZ, Curator of American Art, The Columbus Museum

For information on IMDB (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt31899372)

For programming or licensing, contact info@reelplan.com