Edie McKee Harper: Modernist at Play

October 17, 2026–January 24, 2027 | Fifth Third Gallery

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Cincinnati artist Edie McKee Harper (American, 1922–2010) developed a distinctive modernist vision across a wide variety of media, including photographs, paintings, enamels, weavings, illustrations, and prints. Edie McKee Harper: Modernist at Play and its accompanying catalog highlight Harper’s exploration of these diverse materials through more than 100 works of art, re-examining her minimalist—and often playful—style to reveal a sophisticated artist who expanded the possibilities of mid-20th-century art and design.

This exhibition is organized by the Taft Museum of Art in partnership with the Charley and Edie Harper Art Studio.

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Edie McKee Harper (American, 1922–2010), Crazy Cat on Crazy Quilt (Patches), about 1990, acrylic on canvas, 11 1/8 x 17 3/4 in. Collection of Brett Harper, © Edie Harper

Edie McKee Harper (American, 1922–2010), Cat Carson—Western Scout, 1983, acrylic on canvas, 12 x 12 in. Collection of Brett Harper, © Edie Harper

Edie McKee Harper (American, 1922–2010), Dish with Feathered Friends, 1950s, enamel on copper, 5/8 x 5 7/8 in. diam. Collection of Brett Harper, © Edie Harper

Edie McKee Harper (American, 1922–2010), Sandpeeper, 1981, acrylic on canvas, 8 x 16 in. Collection of Brett Harper, © Edie Harper

Edie McKee Harper (American, 1922–2010), Untitled, 1945–1950s, gelatin silver print, 7 1/4 x 9 1/2 in. Collection of Brett Harper, © Edie Harper

Exhibition Programs

Two people stand in a gallery room, facing away from the camera. There are two cases filled with ceramic art pieces, with a marble fireplace in between. A leather bench sits in the middle of the room.

Adult Programs

October 15 | Opening Reception & Signature Talk (Registration)
October 17 | Let's Talk About Art (Registration)
October 28 | Curator Tour with Ann Glasscock, Associate Curator (Registration)
November 8 | Workshop | Edie Harper's Poetry and Prose with Kay E. Bancroft, Poet and Educator (Registration)
November 15 | Workshop | Paint Your Pet Portrait with Zachariah Lowe, Artist (Registration)
November 18 | Curator Tour with Tegan Recker, Research Fellow (Registration)
November 21 | Let's Talk About Art (Registration)
December 2 | Curator Tour with Angela Fuller, Assistant Curator (Registration)
January 20 | Curator Tour with Tamera Lenz Muente, Curator (Registration)

A man, a young girl, and an older woman smile together at a table covered with children's artwork and crafts. The man wears glasses and a light pink shirt, the girl is in a blue and white dress, and the woman wears glasses and a sleeveless black vest. They are seated in a bright room with colorful art displayed on the walls and a fireplace in the background, suggesting a cheerful, creative environment

Youth and Family Programs

October 18 | Family Funday (Walk-In)
October 24 | Family Workshop | Edie Harper's Mixed Media Animals (Registration)

Two people stand facing the camera, smiling, both are light-skinned. Behind them, a garden is seen with a large tree being illuminated from the bottom.

Member Programs

Plan Your Visit

Expand your visit beyond the galleries to discover the museum’s wide array of events and programs, retreat in the beautiful downtown garden, find a Cincinnati keepsake in the Museum Shop, or expand your culinary palate in the Taft Café.

A large white house with green shutters, two large green trees are on the left and right of the house.

Visitor Information

People sit at a table focused on etching things in a tiny coaster.

Upcoming Programs

A grilled cheese and tomato sandwich sits next to a cup of soup and little pickles.

Taft Café

Many different people walk around a colorful art gallery, talking, and viewing art.

Group Visits

Edie McKee Harper: Modernist at Play is organized by the Taft Museum of Art in partnership with the Charley and Edie Harper Art Studio.

Exhibition Sponsors

The H.B., E.W., and F.R. Luther Charitable Foundation, Fifth Third Bank, N.A., Trustee

Dudley S. Taft Lead Unitrust

A Friend of the Taft

This exhibition and related education programming were financially assisted by The Charlotte R. Schmidlapp Fund, Fifth Third Bank, N.A. Trustee

Cincinnati Art Galleries Panorama

Support for this 2026 FotoFocus Biennial exhibition was provided in part by FotoFocus

Lynne Friedlander and Jay Crawford

Exhibition Support Generously Provided by

Bill and Carol Eckerle Endowment
Ellen and George Rieveschl Endowment
Warrington Exhibition Endowment
Chellgren Family Endowment
Sallie Robinson Wadsworth Endowment for Exhibitions

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