Karow’s artwork sought for inclusion in memorial catalog

By Chris Spangler

Contributor

Friends of Kim Karow are photographing the late artist’s works for a catalog featuring her life’s creations.

The 56-year-old Fort Atkinson woman passed away Aug. 8, 2019. 

A group of her friends is producing the art catalog, which is hoped to be completed during the next year.

People who own, or know of anyone who owns, Karow’s artwork are asked to contact Sally Koehler at sallyjwalker@hotmail.com or (920) 222-2140 to arrange for it to be photographed for the catalog. 

Spearheading the project is John Steines, a fellow painter and very close friend of Karow when he resided in Fort Atkinson for 10 years.

“Kim and I were art partners, discussing, critiquing and working together,” he said. “I published a catalog of my own work with a retrospective I did in 2012. 

“I feel the least I can do is honor Kim by doing a catalog of her work, then submitting it to the Library of Congress, Wisconsin Art Museum, and Fort-area Hoard Historical Museum and University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, and making it available to friends and family,” Steines noted.

He added, “Sally has been gracious to step in and help facilitate that work.”

An artist and retired critical care registered nurse, Steines is president of Friends of Silverwood Park, a 300-acre farm-park dedicated to agriculture education, just west of Busseyville in Dane County along State Highway 106.

Koehler, a member of the Black Hawk Artists, said that Karow joined the group in 1996 and participated in 20 of its annual shows.

“Once the catalog is complete, it is our hope that the museum and the Black Hawk Artists group will have a show of Kim’s work,” said Koehler.

“Kim’s spirit always brought each of us joy, and her artwork was both impeccably beautiful and deeply insightful,” added Angie Szabo, Fort Atkinson High School art teacher and also a member of the Black Hawk Artists.

In addition to her love of art, Karow was a prairie and sedge enthusiast. Her interest in biological sciences, especially botany and ecology, provided source material for her artwork. 

The majority her artwork was in two-dimensional media, particularly silverpoint drawing.

Karow graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a bachelor’s degree in elementary and art education and later earned a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction from UW-Whitewater.

She was employed as an elementary art teacher in the School District of Janesville for more than two decades. Prior to that, Karow was a graphic illustrator for LSJ Sportswear for six years.