Kelly Lawler is a Philadelphia based artist and maker, an MFA 2023 graduate from the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, Kelly’s practice is centered around the energy that connects us with a focus on public art and social engagement.
After receiving a BFA from Virginia Commonwealth University, Kelly was a Graphic Designer for about 10 minutes, she hated it. The next three decades, Kelly continued seeking; falling into technology as a project manager, and moving around the country, building teams and communities in Atlanta, Salt Lake and Seattle. A few marriages, a few kids and a few timezones later, she found herself back Pennsylvania to be closer to family. In the Spring of 2021, thanks to an MDMA psychedelic assisted journey, which came out of couples work, a massive spiritual awakening helped Kelly reconnect with her authentic self. A few short months later Kelly was fully embraced in all things PAFA. Living each day with the knowingness of how the universe works, Kelly leans into a practice of “hello” and a passion for activating community, while both creating her art, and helping others connect and create.
Kelly is actively exhibiting in both Philadelphia and Chicago, additionally, her Kindness Body has been installed as public art, at the Community College of Philadelphia, and Cherry Street Pier.
In addition to receiving the City of Philadelphia Grants for Innovation & Illumination in 2024, in 2022 Kelly received PAFA’s largest Venture Fund Award to support the sculpting, mold making, casting and finishing of a life sized octopus which involved the casting of 170 lbs of aluminum into 13 pieces. In 2023 “Pavel” the octopus was welcomed into the Cherry Street Pier family, as Philadelphia public art that invites all to experience the joy of his friendship.
Growing up in the Philadelphia suburbs, Kelly resided in Atlanta (1991-99), Salt Lake (1999-2015) and Seattle 2015-2018) before moving to Northern Liberties in 2018 with her husband John. She is the mother of adult twin girls Kerrie (Salt Lake City) and Emily (Chicago) and a life long athlete and coaching and now is a part of the Greater Bicycle Coalition of Philadelphia as a bike educator and high school cycling coach as well as a running guide with the Achillies International, Philadelphia.
kellylaw555@gmail.com
Artist Statement
I am a seeker, a healer and a maker, contemplating the energy that connects us. With a love of both process and color, my practice is one of repetition and long expanses of color, which is a gift to myself of a meditative experience and a deep flow state.
We are all made of energy. Known through many cultures as chi, prana, and source, to name just a few, but all with a common understanding that these vibrations come from the same origin.
With an interest in socially engaged art, I seek collaboration and conversation from my work that drives the sharing of positive energy and nurtures healing. Looking to educate and influence so that our society can move away from “I” and “me” and evolve into “we” and “us.”
CV
Education
2023 MFA in Fine Art, Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, Philadelphia, PA
1992 MS in Sports Administration, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA
1986 BFA in Graphic Design, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA
Awards/Fellowships/Residencies
2024 Illuminate the Arts Grant, Creative Philadelphia
2024 Creative Entrepreneur Accelerator Grant, City of Philadelphia
2023 Deena Gu Watercolor Prize, Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, Philadelphia, PA
2022 Visiting Scholar, Virginia Commonwealth University Qatar, Doha, Qatar
2022 Venture Fund Award, Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, Philadelphia, PA
2021 Landmark Scholarship awardee, Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, Philadelphia, PA
Public Art & Commissions
2024 Kindness Tiles, Community College of Philadelphia, Philadelphia
2024 No Bad Parts, Greater Philadelphia Culture Alliance (commission)
2024 Kindness Encyclopedias, Cherry Street Pier, Philadelphia
2024 The Philly Journal, Philadelphia
2023 Pavel the Octopus, Cherry Street Pier, Philadelphia
2023 Kindness Tiles, 915 Building, Philadelphia
2023 Kindness Tiles, Palmer Park, Philadelphia
Exhibitions
2024 High in Fibre, Abington Art Center, Jenkintown, PA
2024 Existing is Political, CSI Project Space, Chicago
2024 August Skies, Triple Bottom Brewery, Philadelphia
2024 What Women Create Daydream, Prism Arts, Philadelphia
2024 Poetry of Sculpture, Christopher Gallery, Prairie State College, Chicago
2023 Secret, Gross McCleaf Gallery, Philadelphia
2023 PULP, Second State Press, Philadelphia
2023 Philadelphia Sculptors 5 into 1 Exhibition, Annenberg Gallery - Moore College, Philadelphia Pa
2023 Annual Student Exhibition (ASE), Annenberg Gallery - PAFA, Philadelphia Pa
2022 Light & Dark, Gallery 8, PAFA, Philadelphia
2022 Size Matters…In Art, Anne Bryan Gallery, PAFA, Philadelphia, PA
2022 Sculpture Sharing, Broad Street Gallery, PAFA, Philadelphia, PA
2022 Blue, Gallery 8, PAFA, Philadelphia, PA
2021 Art from Art, Anne Bryan Gallery, PAFA, Philadelphia, PA
2021 Yellow in Art, Student Lounge, PAFA, Philadelphia, PA
Teaching & Related Experience
2024 Citizens Planning Institute, Philadelphia
2024 Bike Educator & BCYC Coach, Greater Philadelphia Bicycle Coalition2023-24 Teaching Assistant, PAFA, Philadelphia, PA (Foundry)
2023 Mural Intern, for Brad Carney, Temple Beth Sholom Kids Court Yard, Cherry Hill, NJ
2022 Teaching Assistant, PAFA, Philadelphia, PA (Sculpture Mold Making, Spring 2022)
1995 - 2021 Project, Program & Operations Management technology, non-profit, sports Linked In Profile
1991 - 2018 Youth, grass roots, college and high school coach, basketball, field hockey and soccer
Lectures
2022 Artist Talk, Virginia Commonwealth University Qatar, Doha, Qatar, September 1
Press
2024 “Meet Kelly Lawler,” CanvasRebel
2023 Dedrain Dennis, “Alumni Spotlight: Kelly Brown Lawler, Virginia Commonwealth University
2023 Lasha Stewart, “PAFA Spotlight! Interview with Kelly Lawler”, Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts Career Services Newsletter January 20, 2023
Publications as Artist
2023 “Art. A Gift to Ourselves & the Patiently Waiting Healer” Philadelphia
Technical Abilities
Foundry, metal shop, TIG/MIG welding, ceramics, paper making & sculpting, mold making, murals, mosaics, stained glass, sewing machine
Professional Organization
2023 Philadelphia Sculpture Society, Steering Committee & Member
2023 Chicago Sculpture International
2023 National Sculpture Society
b. 1968
Hinsdale, IL Atlanta (1991-99), Salt Lake (1999-2015) and Seattle 2015-2018)
Residing in the Northern Liberties neighborhood of Philadelphia, PA since 2018
Practicing in the 915 Spring Garden Building, studio #213, since 2023