The collection of prominent artist Karen Rifas is mostly composed of artist friends, mentors and former students, some of which include Robert Chambers, Kristen Thiele and Onajide Shabaka. There are also delightful surprises with works by artists such as Andy Goldworthy, Carmen Herrera and Richard Tuttle. As the award-winning, long-established and prolific artist will tell you, both her collection and her work are a reflection of the things that were happening in her life at that time.
Regrets & the waitlist: We’re thrilled to offer this intimate engagement with Karen in partnership with Dainy Tapia of ArtSeen365. At this time reserved for Collector members because of limited capacity, reservations are essential and first come, first served. We kindly ask that any regrets or cancellations be made at least three (3) days in advance to give other members the chance to participate, and to respect the efforts of the artist opening their home to our group. We will be actively monitoring the waitlist and will text message if additional spots open for this event.
For Collector members, RSVP here.
Karen Rifas (Chicago, b. 1942) has shown nationally and internationally since the 1980s. She is the second recipient of The Michael Richards Award, presented by Oolite Arts. This award is given to Miami-based artists who have created a recognized body of original, high-quality work over a sustained period of time and who, through their practice, achieve the highest levels of professional distinction in the visual arts. In 2020, The Bass commissioned a series of banners by Rifas for their Art Outside initiative. Her work is represented in many additional public and private collections, including Museo de Arte de Ponce in Puerto Rico, Fairchild Tropical Gardens, Oolite Arts, NSU Art Museum, Fort Lauderdale, FL, Museum of Contemporary Art North Miami, Miami-Dade Art in Public Places Trust, and Perez Art Museum Miami.
Select solo exhibitions include Deceptive Constructions, The Bass, Miami Beach, FL (2018); Macchietta: Small Sketches by Karen Rifas, MDC Museum of Art + Design, Miami, FL (2015); The Library, 581.4/R564.r, de la Cruz Collection, Miami, FL (2010); Volumes of Fragility, Pinnacle Gallery, Savannah College of Art and Design, Savannah, GA (2007); Mayfaire at the Museum, Polk Museum of Art, Lakeland, FL (2004); Karen Rifas at Robert Rauschenberg Gallery, Fort Myers, FL (2004); Karen Rifas, Museo De Arte Contemporaneo, Panama City, Republic of Panama (1993). Most recently, she presented her third solo exhibition at Emerson Dorsch.
Karen Rifas taught at the New World School of the Arts, the Kendall Campus of Miami Dade College, and the University of Miami. She lives and works in Miami, FL.
Photo courtesy of Emerson Dorsch