Memorial for Jean Lister

Art in the cafe...

Tamara Lea Kaufman


"pretty ~ ugly"


February 2026



Artist Statement Tamara Lea Kaufman’s personal artwork ranges from serious to quirky, dark, adult-themed humor. She creates multimedia assemblage, collage, and dioramas made from HO-scale railroad hobby miniatures, preserved insects, paint, embroidery, found objects, and typically discarded materials such as candy wrappers and the overlooked debris of everyday life. Her work explores topics of consumption, waste, desire, relationships, psychology, politics, societal pressures and the levity of humor needed to survive it all. It gives her joy to repurpose materials into something new, useful, or...
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Saturday, September 25, 2010

Jean Louise Lister passed away on August 23, 2010 near her home in Emerald, WI. Jean's legacy includes Mother Fool's Coffeehouse, which she founded on Madison's near east side in 1994. There will be a gathering to honor her memory and celebrate her life this Sat., Sept. 25, 7 to 10 PM at Mother Fool's, 1101 Williamson St. Bring your memories of Jean to share, as well as any photos you might have.

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