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Special Exhibitions

Kenosha Public Museum

Special Exhibitions

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Transparent Watercolor Society of America's 50th Annual National Juried Exhibition

May 2, 2026 – August 2, 2026

Ruble Gallery and Touhey Gallery

Celebrate a milestone in watercolor excellence at the Transparent Watercolor Society of America’s 50th Annual National Juried Exhibition. This show brings together more than 80 outstanding works by artists from across the country, highlighting the beauty, versatility, and technical mastery of transparent watercolor.

Outdoor display of whimsical sculptures with signs and event details for "50 States of Mind: The Art of Bill Reid" at Kenosha Public Museum.

50 States of Mind: The Art of Bill Reid

October 4, 2025 – August 2, 2026

Treasures Gallery

In celebration of the 250th anniversary of the United States, local artist Bill Reid presents 50 States of Mind, a playful journey across the country that blends wordplay, travel, and sculpture.

Having visited all 50 states, Reid photographs his whimsical, brightly painted steel sculptures in natural settings, reimagining each state’s welcome sign and motto with a humorous twist. From frolicking on the “Opun Range” of Nebraska to spotting “Buffaloons” in bloom and discovering Iowa’s “Unicorns” made of corn, Reid invites viewers to see the nation through a lens of creativity and laughter.

For more than 40 years, Reid has welded thin-gauge steel into colorful, character-filled sculptures that often draw on puns, homonyms, and playful language. As writer Stacey Williams-Ng once remarked, “Bill Reid is to sculpture what Dr. Seuss is to children’s books.”

50 States of Mind celebrates the diversity of the country with wit, imagination, and an artist’s deep appreciation for the places and people that make up the United States.

Coming Soon

Blue paint stroke with text: "Acrylic International Biennial Juried Exhibition 2026" and "Kenosha Public Museum."

Acrylic International Biennial Juried Exhibition

August 15, 2026 – November 8, 2026

Touhey Gallery

Held every two years, the Acrylic International features 45 outstanding paintings that showcase the breadth of subjects, styles, and techniques achievable in the acrylic medium, reflecting the diversity and skill of contemporary artists working in acrylic today.

This juried exhibition recognizes artistic excellence through a series of awards, including cash prizes and material awards, celebrating innovation, craftsmanship, and creative expression within the medium.

Promotional poster for the Kenosha Public Museum's 90th Anniversary Exhibition with a globe illustration and event details.

Around the World in 90 Years: Kenosha Public Museum 90th Anniversary Exhibition

August 15, 2026 – February 28, 2027

Ruble Gallery

Since 1936, the Kenosha Public Museum has served as a beloved community institution, enriching the lives of Kenoshans and beyond. To celebrate our 90th Anniversary, this special exhibition will journey through nine decades of museum history – from its establishment in the old post office building to the opening of three new museums. Featuring early photographs, architectural plans, memorabilia, and significant items from the museum collection, this exhibition will offer visitors a glimpse into the museum’s nearly century long legacy.

Poster for "Big Bugs! Arthropods at Large" at the Kenosha Public Museum, showing insects and exhibit details.

Big Bugs: Arthropods at Large

November 21, 2026 – February 28, 2027

Touhey Gallery

Exciting specimens from the museum’s insect and arachnid collection come to life with larger-than-life images by macro-photographer Lexie Belles. Real specimens from the museum’s insect and arachnid collection will be on display, including butterflies, flies, beetles, tarantulas, scorpions, bumblebees, cicadas, and even a jungle nymph. Interactive stations will give visitors a closer look at specimens, and the fun of building their own bugs.

Past Exhibitions

See what you've missed

From art to history to science, explore our past exhibitions and the stories that brought them to life.

Past Exhibitions

Virtual Exhibitions

Coming Soon

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