Sasha Kinens: Artist in Residence

By Nikki Ranney

I live in downtown Milwaukee and have a strong interest in the contemporary art scene in Southeast Wisconsin given my education at the Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design and my love of art in general.

It should be no surprise then, to know that I like to stay up to date on various artist residencies in the area. One of the most recognizable programs is the Artist Residency at the Pfister Hotel.

The Pfister’s artist in residence program began in 2009, starting off with Reginald Baylor as the inaugural artist.

Over the next two decades, a number of familiar names held the position, including Shelby Keefe (who had a solo exhibition at the Cedarburg Art Museum back in 2013), Rosy Petri (whose work was featured in the 2021 CAM exhibition Faces of Wisconsin), and Sasha Kinens.

Sasha Kinens, who held the Artist-in-Residence position in 2025, has extended her residency for 2026, according to a recent announcement from the Pfister’s parent organization, Marcus Hotels and Resorts.

Kinen’s figurative oil paintings lend themselves well to the kind of paintings on display at the hotel. The Pfister’s art collection is the largest collection of Victorian art in any hotel in the world (according to the hotel’s website) and therefore is composed of genres and styles characteristic of the 19th century such as romantic depictions of women, flirtatious couples, and landscapes

Kinen’s work sustains this visual language, depicting the female figure, often allegorically, in an ethereal manner that calls to mind varying elements of Rossetti and Pre-Raphaelite sensibilities. Kinen cites this movement along with Classical Realism and Symbolism as inspirations for her work, which is apparent in the use of soft edges and strong contrast within her paintings.

The Cedarburg Art Museum is proud to have a painting by Sasha Kinens in our permanent collection. The painting, one of the largest in our collection, measures 58” x 39.5”. The work, Blue Dome, exhibits all the typical traits of a typical Kinen painting.

A beautiful central figure makes eye contact with the viewer, her pale skin a stark contrast to the dark blue background. A line of flowers adorns the bottom of the composition. Various mark-making techniques add texture and depth to the painting, creating a piece that captures the viewers attention.

This gorgeous piece was created in 2003, but made its way to the Cedarburg Art Museum in 2025 as a gift from the family of Betty Schmidt.

You can see more of Kinen’s work at her studio in the Pfister Hotel, or until July 26 at the Villa Terrace Museum. Stay tuned to see Blue Dome back on display at the Cedarburg Art Museum later this summer!