By Dave Fidlin
Correspondent
She’s gone from rural living to the big city, but Whitewater area native Shelby Keefe never forgets her origins. In fact, she credits them for finding her passion in life.
Keefe, a 1977 graduate of Whitewater High School, has been pursuing one of her greatest passions – art – in the past several decades.
Growing up in a supportive home, Keefe said her family and natural surroundings resulted in a natural-born love of artistry in all its forms. Keefe’s grandma, an artist, was a notable inspiration.
“I come from a creative and loving family,” Keefe said. “Growing up outside Whitewater was a wonderful playground for creativity.”
Recently, she has experienced a number of significant milestones within a career she adamantly states is richly satisfying.
Last week, she took first place in an international competition – recognition she earned as she also embarks on opening a gallery in the Historic Third Ward in Milwaukee.
Keefe attended Plein Air Magazine’s second annual convention and expo from April 10-14 in Monterey, Calif. While she admittedly did not have any grand expectations, Keefe said she decided to enter a painting, “Alterations,” into the magazine’s painting contest that was held in conjunction with the event.
Keefe’s work was pitted alongside nearly a thousand entries from artists across the globe. A panel of three judges awarded Keefe top prize for “Alterations,” which she created at a competition nearly a year ago in Maryland.
“There were four rounds of competitions, and I really wasn’t expecting much,” Keefe said of the recent Plein Air event. “I didn’t know when they were going to announce the winner. In fact, I was out buying art supplies and was in the drive-thru at McDonald’s when I got a text informing me I had won.”
When asked what her reaction was when she learned she took top prize in Plein Air’s painting category, Keefe said she was in a pleasant state of disbelief.
“I was amazed and floored,” she said. “I mean, this is an international competition.”
With the fresh recognition under her belt, Keefe is eagerly taking the wraps off her new studio, The Urban Sanctuary, within Milwaukee’s Historic Third Ward neighborhood.
She is holding a soft opening this weekend during the Historic Third Ward’s Gallery Night and Day, an event held four times per year. In July, Keefe plans to have a full-fledged grand opening once the gallery is up and running and all kinks have been worked out.
This summer, Keefe also is planning to participate in a number of competitions in areas throughout the country, including Door County, Florida, Arizona and Virginia.
“These nationwide competitions are like sporting events for artists,” Keefe said.
IF YOU GO …
WHO: Whitewater area native Shelby Keefe
WHAT: painting demonstration during Milwaukee Historic Third Ward’s gallery night and day
WHEN: 8 to 11 a.m. Saturday, April 20
WHERE: The Urban Sanctuary, 181 Broadway, Milwaukee
INFO: www.studioshelby.com, www.historicthirdward.org/events/gallerynight.php
