Edie McKee Harper: Modernist at Play

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

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.

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

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. 

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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