AN EERIE SIGHT. Kala Rehberger, the local artist behind The Odd House, has continued to explore themes of the beyond, horror, and the Midwest's local landscapes through analog film photography. A recent series, pictured above, showcases abandoned buildings around the area. (Photo by Kala Rehberger)

An intuitive visual storyteller, The Odd House strives to expose glimpses into scenes of oddity and horror in its artwork. An open invitation is extended to viewers; to jump into these unique worlds — found in corners of the Chippewa Valley — often in plain sight.

Kala Rehberger, the local artist behind The Odd House, has ventured into latest media projects with a focus on analog photography. Her thought-provoking images continue to blend macabre and horror — themes The Odd House has explored through other mixed media artwork too — with Midwest gothic backdrops.

“I try really hard for my work to be intentional and for all visual aspects to have purpose,” Rehberger said. “At the same time, I want the concepts to be broad enough for the audience to be able to create their own story and have their own interpretation.”

With their Samsung Maxima Zoom 70i 35mm point-and-shoot in hand — and a Cinestill 400d roll of film ready to be exposed — Rehberger traverses through the rolling plains of Wisconsin to explore abandoned buildings, capture decomposing animal carcasses, and exhibit contemporary interpretations of religion.

Abandoned places and spaces around the Chippewa Valley, published by The Odd House. Some common locations found in Rehberger's photography include Mt. Simon, farms along County Rd. E, cemeteries and churches in Eau Claire, and more. (Photos by Kala Rehberger)

Growing up, this curiosity in “the beyond” was echoed by Rehberger's grandfather, who equally shared a love for visuals and cinema rooted in horror. Much of her work — in both photography and other mediums — is dedicated to their relationship and the encouragement to question what makes viewers comfortable.

“My work is toeing the line between what’s acceptable and what’s not,” Rehberger added. “(My grandfather) made me feel very comfortable with my fascination with (horror) — he’s also the reason why I feel I’m able to push boundaries.”

Over the last two years, The Odd House has released several photography series’ dedicated to these “taboo” subjects. The Belles of Fear & Faith, a zine released in 2024, explores “the crossroads of horror and religion through a collection of film photographs as well as poetry.”

“I invite the audience to challenge their traditional beliefs and explore a world where the lines between religious devotion and primal fear blur,” the project's artist statement reads.

Previous photography series’ published by The Odd House include The Bodies, timestamps of rural Wisconsin summers, and “the end is nigh,” among others.

“My work is toeing the line between what’s acceptable and what’s not."

kala rehberger

the odd house

Kal Norton, an Eau Claire mixed media artist — and a subject in one of Rehberger’s recent photoshoots — said they have become captivated by Rehberger’s style of photography. Drawing from similar sources of inspiration in their own projects, the haunting nature of Rehberger's work — with a curiosity for oddities — prompted Norton to reach out with interest in one day being included.

As spring turned into summer, Rehberger found a perfect concept for Norton to be captured, along with two other models with varying gender identities and backgrounds.

Kal Norton, pictured above, models in the dirt in "the muddy one" by The Odd House. (Photo by Kala Rehberger)

Unofficially dubbed "the muddy one" by Rehberger, this photo series features Norton exploring their masculine energy through play in the dirt. This session also marked Norton's debut as a model.

“I am a potter, so ‘playing in the dirt’ is a common phrase I use for working with clay,” Norton said. “(So) the puzzle pieces really just fit. It’s fun to lock into a feeling or character and really get loose.”

Communication and flexibility are two pillars of Rehberger’s photo sessions, she said. Rehberger's prior experience in art direction and production lend to establishing boundaries and safety in her photoshoots today.

“I want to make (the models) feel comfortable and inspire them to feel beautiful no matter what,” Rehberger said. “It doesn't matter what you look like — anyone can be a model; anyone can do projects with me.”

Norton agrees with this sentiment, and described their recent photoshoot as something the four participants were building together. With an environment rooted in curiosity and play, each model had the opportunity to generate ideas and openly communicate how they felt most comfortable posing.

“Everyone's opinions and ideas were heard out,” Norton said. “If there was a specific pose that either Kala or us models wanted, we were able to play around with that idea and really hone in before the shutter clicked.”

“It doesn't matter what you look like — anyone can be a model; anyone can do projects with me.”

kala rehberger

the odd house

Rehberger opens the door for all walks of life to participate in her artwork, regardless of prior modeling experience. She keeps a model application form available — at all times of the year — through their social media platform online, for any community members who are interested in collaborating on a future photo project.

She has already hinted at new projects in development. Fans of Rehberger’s zine publications can expect a new collection of images and multimedia content to be published later this summer and into early fall.

This collection, in tandem with The Bells of Fear and Faith and The Bodies, will combine new and old images from Rehberger’s archives.

A figure engulfed by flames, shown above. This image was part of a photo series captioned "My Inferno," by The Odd House. (Photo by Kala Rehberger)

Another forthcoming project includes both a music video and album cover art for a local-to-Eau Claire band. Rehberger has known the band members since high school, and it’s been a dream to see new projects manifest themselves with local ties to the area, she noted.

“I really like working with the community because I feel like my pieces are more authentic that way,” Rehberger said. “You can tell that my pieces are of the Midwest — with people from the Midwest — so (it’s all) very rooted in community culture.”

Rehberger’s macabre artistry continues to resonate with Chippewa Valley audiences, and suggests our innate desires to uncover stories left behind in the places and spaces which surround us.

For more information about Kala Rehberger of The Odd House, and to submit an application for modeling opportunities, visit their Instagram page online (@the_oddhouse).