About
My upbringing in Northern Minnesota instilled an appreciation of botany and a keen observation of patterns in the natural environment. Reflecting on my experiences in the Midwest, South America, and Europe, I seek to communicate a form of natural beauty.
I incorporate techniques from scenic painting and faux finishing, the folk art of Norwegian rosemaling, and reverse painting on glass. Observing these customary processes became a way for me to develop a personal aesthetic based on the necessity of good craftsmanship. Their established authority of geometry, harmony, and beauty speaks vibrantly.
Education & Exhibitions
Education
2017
- MFA in Painting/Drawing, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI
2012
- BA, The College of St. Scholastica, Duluth, MN
SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2024
- Boreal Ornament V, Vesterheim Museum, Decorah, IA
2022
- Boreal Ornament IV, Joseph Nease Gallery
2020
- Boreal Ornament III, Joseph Nease Gallery (installed but halted by COVID) See online exhibition here
2019
- Boreal Ornament II, Johnson Heritage Post Gallery – Grand Marais, MN
2018
- Boreal Ornament, Morrison Gallery, Duluth Art Institute – Duluth, MN
2017
- Mirror Lake, Kohler Art Library, University of WIsconsin-Madison – Madison, WI
Dusty Turquoise Waters – Master of Fine Arts Exhibition, Art Lofts Gallery – Madison, WI
2016
- Windigo Piperita – Department of Art History Curatorial Lab – Madison, WI
- Vicious Or•ka•id – Master of Arts Exhibition, Art Lofts Gallery – Madison, WI
GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2025
- SPRING! Nordic Center, Duluth, MN
2024
- Flowers! Nordic Center, Duluth, MN
2021
- A Warm Reset, Joseph Nease Gallery, Duluth, MN
2017
- Winnowers, Tory Folliard Gallery, Milwaukee, WI
- Cephalopod Interface, I Love You More, Cretaquarium, Crete, Greece
2016
- Municipal, Municipal Building, Madison, WI
- Arrowhead Biennial – Duluth Art Institute, Duluth, MN
- Diverse Nature: Gender & the Botanic – Overture Center for the Arts, Madison, WI
- Wallflowers – Tory Folliard Gallery – Milwaukee, WI
- 88th Annual Student Art Show – Gallery 1308, Madison, WI
2015
- Madison 8– Foster Gallery, Eau Claire, WI
- MFA Candidates – Capitol Lakes – Madison, WI
- Holiday Art Underground – Betsey Bowen Studio – Grand Marais, MN
- Separate Checks – Art Lofts – Madison, WI
2014
- Found Out – Art Lofts – Madison, WI
2013
- Papyiri– Prove Gallery- Duluth, MN
- Water Works – Duluth Art Institute- Duluth, MN
Collections
- Vision Northland Essentia Health, Duluth MN
- Wisconsin Union Art Collection – University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI
ARTIST LECTURES
2024
- Vesterheim Museum, Decorah, IA
2018
- Duluth Art Institute, Duluth, MN
2017
- Kohler Arts Library, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI
2016
- Gallery Night Artist Talk, Overture Center for the Arts, Madison, WI
- Capitol Lakes Artist Talk, Master of Fine Arts Exhibition, Madison, WI
2015
- Madison 8 Artist Talk, Foster Gallery, University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire, WI
GRANTS & FELLOWSHIPS
2020
- American-Scandinavian Foundation Fellowship Award
2017
- Vilas Research International Travel Grant, Univ of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI
2017 & 2014
- ED-GRS Fellowship, Univ of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI
ACCOMPLISHMENTS
2025
- University of Wisconsin-Madison Artist-in-Residence Scandinavian Studies
- Summer Instructor at Sätergläntan Institute of Crafts, Insjon, Sweden
2024
- North House Folk School Artisan Development Program
2017
- Chazen Museum Prize Honorable Mention, Curator Brooke Davis Anderson,
Univ of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI - Dedalus Foundation Fellowship Nominee, Univ of Wisconsin, Madison, WI
Get In Touch
Let's Connect
© 2024 Tara Austin | Privacy Policy | Designed By Sweetwater Design Co
