Visitors to the Transparent Watercolor Society of America’s national exhibit at the Kenosha Public Museum see a collection of beautiful paintings. What they don’t see is fascinating in its own right. Behind the scenes, Rachel Klees Andersen, the museum’s curator of exhibits, spends weeks getting ready for the annual show of more than 80 watercolor pieces.
Laying out the artwork in the two exhibit halls is, itself, an art. Andersen — an artist who started teaching classes at the museum while in college — starts by printing out images of all the paintings selected by the exhibit’s jurors. “I make groupings of the printouts and am looking for a nice flow to the works,” Andersen said.
“I group pieces by mood and also by subject.” She takes note of “how vibrant or dark a piece is and the style of the painting, whether it’s a loose or more super-realistic work. You don’t want to hang those two contrasting styles next to each other.
” While she puzzles out the layout of the exhibit, Andersen is careful to “manage the transitions between the pieces. The tone of the show moves from dark to lighter to vibrant.” Standing in the second-floor gallery, Andersen points out how “the balance of this exhibit works out pretty well.
The more realistic pieces are in the first gallery, with more experimental pieces in the south gallery.” This exhibit is a huge draw each summer at the museum, and Andersen is careful in how it’s presented. “You don’t want everything to look the same,” she said.
“That’s why one side of the room will be very colorful, while across the room, there’s a darker, moodier tone.” When she’s got a layout in mind for the exhibit, Andersen tapes the images to the walls — and then she waits. Once the actual artworks arrive at the museum, she and other museum staffers — including Gina Radandt, Sam Belles and Martin Antaramian — unpack and review all the pieces, checking for any damage during shipping.
Then it’s time to hang all the works and get all those labels written. All this work is accomplished before the public walks through the exhibit. Shaping exhibits is nothing new for Andersen, who has overseen temporary and permanent exhibits for all three public museums for more than two decades.
The watercolor show, in particular, is one she calls “bittersweet.” “This show opens in spring and then ends in early August,” Andersen said. “It makes me very aware of the passing of summer.
” She doesn’t have long to dwell on the coming of a new season, however. When the 2024 Transparent Watercolor Society of America’s show ends Aug. 4, she’s on to the next challenge.
In this case, it’s two more art exhibits — the Acrylic International 2nd Biennial Juried Exhibition and “Lemon Street Gallery: 25 Years of Creativity” — both opening Aug. 17. Until then, we can all go home and see if the flow and tone of our own artwork at home is working.
I’m looking at you, “Dogs Playing Poker,” hanging over the couch. Have a comment? Email Liz at [email protected] or call her at 262-656-6271.
Elizabeth Snyder Have a comment? Email Liz at [email protected] or call her at 262-656-6271. What: Transparent Watercolor Society of America's national exhibit Where: Kenosha Public Museum, 5500 First Ave.
When: Through Aug. 4. The museum is open 10 a.
m. to 5 p.m.
Monday through Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday.
Admission: Free Details: The show features 84 paintings from top watercolor artists, working in a wide range of styles. Vote for it: Visitors to the exhibit can pick up a ballot at the front desk and vote for their pick for the People's Choice Award. Other awards were made by the show's jurors, Birgit O'Connor and Stephen Zhang.
To learn more about TWSA: Go to watercolors.org . Get local news delivered to your inbox! Features/GO Kenosha {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.
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