Pro/Fuse

Patricia Baldwin Seggebruch: Tick That Box (2025) – encaustic, bitumen; 7 x 19 in.

July 11–August 15, 2026

About the Exhibition

CHICAGO—Woman Made Gallery presents Pro/Fuse, a juried exhibition celebrating the art of encaustic, featuring 48 women and non-binary artists from across the United States. Derived from the Greek enkaustikos, meaning “to burn in,” encaustic is a versatile medium traditionally composed of beeswax, damar resin, and pigment, fused through the application of heat. Juried by Kathleen Waterloo, this exhibition showcases the breadth of the medium’s expressive range, from luminous, translucent surfaces to richly textured, sculptural forms, spanning painting, mixed media, assemblage, and experimental works that push the boundaries of wax as an artistic material.

Opening Reception: July 11, 2026 | 4–7 p.m.
Artist Walkthrough & Closing: August 15, 2026 | 2–4 p.m.

Pro/Fuse Press Release (PDF Download)

Exhibition Events

The exhibition opens with an artist reception at Woman Made Gallery, 1332 S. Halsted St. in Chicago, on Saturday, July 11, from 4 to 7 p.m.

The Closing Reception includes an Artist Walkthrough on Saturday, August 15 from 2 to 4 p.m., offering a final opportunity to meet the participating artists in person. Events at WMG are free and open to the public.

Kathleen Waterloo received her BFA in 1996 from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Waterloo studied encaustic painting through their program at Oxbow in Saugatuck, Michigan in 1999 and has worked in this medium exclusively for over 25 years. Her work is represented in Chicago, Seattle, and Milwaukee.

Waterloo has exhibited her work in solo and group shows across the United States and internationally. An experienced educator in encaustic painting, she has led workshops and demonstrations while also contributing to the arts community as a former board member of Woman Made Gallery in Chicago and as a juror for exhibitions.

Waterloo’s artwork is in many private and public collections including University of Chicago Medicine, Neiman Marcus, Purdue University NW, Oregon Health & Science University, Eaton Corporation, and Mirage Las Vegas. Prior to her pursuit of art, Waterloo had an 18-year career in interior architecture and is licensed by the State of Illinois. Architecture and space planning influence her art-making; lines are a recurring theme.

Read Kathleen Waterloo’s Juror Statement Here.

​Lauren Adelman, Kelly Austin Rolo, Patricia Baldwin Seggebruch, Francesca Bertani, Luce Wren Brandt, Kathie Collinson, Katie Cowden, Cat Crotchett, Helen Dannelly, SP Scotti Estes, Michelle Geoga, Anna Gordy, Bridgette Guerzon Mills, Kris Huff, Catherine Keebler, Ginny Krueger, Kathleen Kvern, Lisa Marie Kwesell, Stephanie Lerma, Cindy Lesperance, Jane Michalski, KC Miller, Christina Nordholm, Deborah Peeples, Selene Plum, Sonia Pratt, Liza Purcell, Jodi Reeb, Sarah Rehmer, Deanne Row, Ruth Sack, Jacqueline Saepoff, Kate Santucci, Nadia Sawicki, Nellie Seigel, MJ Seltzer, Catherine Skinner, Sarah Springer, Natalie Steigmann-Gall, Melissa Stephens, Michele Thrane, Karen Tichy, Robin VanHoozer, Carol Weber, Ella Weiler, Donna Weiss, Darlene Yeager-Torre

Exhibiting Artists