Beyond O’Keeffe

Lucy Lippard defines place as “the locus of desire”. The influence of place is significant to contemporary Wisconsin artists as well as in the work of late artist, Georgia O’Keeffe. Artist and Curator, Rebecca Kautz discusses the significance of “place” as it relates to artists and artworks selected for the Beyond O’Keeffe exhibition.

This art exhibition will feature contemporary artists living in Wisconsin and working in a variety of styles and subject matter. This curated exhibition features work by both emerging and established artists and showcases the diverse, vibrant talent of the contemporary art landscape here in the state.

This project is co-hosted by Prairie Music & Arts and the Sun Prairie Tourism Commission and is being held in conjunction with the inaugural Sun Prairie Mural Fest to honor the legacy of Georgia O’Keeffe.

Curator and Exhibition Organizer:

Rebecca Kautz is an artist, curator, and educator who lives in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin with her family where she has maintained a home studio for 15 years. Originally from Northern Illinois, Kautz’s work is influenced by her rural Midwest upbringing. She is the 2024 Dane County Forward Art Prize winner and is an Adjunct Art Lecturer with UW-Madison. She holds an Masters of Fine Arts from UW-Madison in Painting & Drawing and A Bachelor’s of Fine Arts from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Kautz has an international exhibition record dating back over her three decade career. Recent exhibitions and awards include, Kentler International Drawing Space in Brooklyn New York (2025), Long Beach Island Foundation of the Arts in New Jersey (2025), Field Projects in New York, NY (2025), Site Brooklyn, NY (2024), Portrait Society Gallery in Milwaukee (2024). Recipient of Award of Distinction for Drawing Discourse International Drawing Exhibition at UNC-Asheville (2019). Kautz is represented by Woodwalk Gallery in Door County, WI. Learn more at www.rebeccakautz.com.

Exhibition Dates: June 9th-July 4th, 2025

Artist Reception: Friday, June 20th , 5-7pm, Come see the exhibition and meet the artists involved, free and open to the public.

Curators Talk: “Beyond O’Keeffe: Wisconsin Artists and Place,” Friday, June 27th, 7-8pm, at The Loop, 202 E. Main St., Sun Prairie, Wi 53590. Seating is limited. Handicap Accessible.