KATHLEEN SIENNA KELLY
b. 1964

CURRICULUM VITAE 
 
EDUCATION              

Hartford Art School, University of Hartford, West Hartford, CT
MFA in Painting 2000
Summa Cum Laude, Bernard Vinick International Scholar Award

Paier College of Art, Hamden, CT
BFA in Illustration 1986
Magna Cum Laude, Awards of Distinction

Certifications | Additional Course Work

  2018              AutoCAD 260 Certification, LinkedIn Learning, Orlando, FL

  2014              AP Studio Art Certification, College Board Association Taft School, Watertown, CT

  2014              Final Cut Pro X (one-on-one training), Apple, West Hartford, CT 

  2008              Artists & Technology, Manchester Community College, Manchester, CT 

  2008              Five Days of Fire, Cone 10 Firing Workshop, Canton Clay Works, Canton, CT

  1999              Spanish, University of Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain

  1988              Graphic Design, Fairfield University, Fairfield, CT

  1987              MS Project, MS Excel, New Horizons, Bloomfield, CT 

  1981              Center of Creative Youth (CCY) Wesleyan University, Middletown, CT 

Professional Experience

  2022-Present  Beyond Van Gogh The Immersive Experience, Outback Presents, Nashville TN
(Sarasota) 
Greet and engage visitors, assist, take posed photos of them, within three high-capacity galleries to deliver a premier guest experience for adults and children. 

  2022-Present  Wyzant.com Sarasota, FL
Art Tutor online teaching pre-college portfolio prep
Art Tutor in-person teaching intro to acrylic painting and painting materials 

  2021              ARCOS, Sarasota, FL  https://arcossarasota.com/gallery/
                        Launched and guided residents to create during an all-inclusive luxury art event.
 
  2021              Sun Sea Originals, LLC, Sarasota, FL   www.SunSeaOriginals.com
                        Developed and launched an art business, new art studio, and ecommerce art website. 

  2015- 2021    Kelly Art Studios, LLC, New Hartford, CT
                        Launched successful commercial art studio. Created, exhibited, and sold original art. Designed, marketed, and facilitated art events. Developed and taught Speed Sculpting, Pre-College Portfolio, Decorative Brushwork. Fired kilns, maintained websites. Clients include Art in the Middle (CIAC/CT), Connecticut Public Schools, Atheneum Books, Teaching K-8 Magazine, 

  2014-2015     Left Brain Games, Inc  Torrington, CT
                        Mobile game artist within fast paced five-person agile Interactive Startup. Lead brainstorming sessions, designed logos, story content and original art assets. Advised on UX to support engineering and marketing. Clients included DARPA, Virigames, PBS, Kid Awesome, Ripley Entertainment

  2013-2014     Hartford Art School, University of Hartford, West Hartford, CT 
Co-Teacher with Cat Balco, Associate Professor Painting and Drawing in dynamic art studios, developed demos, facilitated student communications using Blackboard Campus System.
Substitute Teacher courses included: Thinking and Drawing, Drawing from Life, and Perspective.

  2009              Internship Ceramic Studio, Canton Clay Works, Canton, CT 
                        Managed day to day educational and production pottery studio, mentored students, mixed glazes, fired wood/salt and gas kilns, launched photo gallery of student work

  2005              Lutz Children’s Museum in partnership with Manchester School System, CT
Launched ongoing Youth Gallery Program inside the Children’s Museum
Presented “Jackson Pollock” a family art making event for 120+ attendees.

  2002              Police Activities League (PAL), Manchester, CT
Proposed and facilitated an Urban Youth Mural Project
Mentored youth in planning, painting, photography, and unveiling reception.

  2001 – 2006   Developing Artist Institute, LLC - Manchester, CT 
Founded a successful, private, art school. Developed curricula for all ages art classes and programs including life drawing, youth and teen camps and pre-college portfolio. Maintained historical facility. Recruited/supervised teachers and staff. Established an onsite art store and library. Taught 2D & 3D studio art and workshops. Fired kilns. Launched Youth Art Gallery. through Partnerships with Lutz Children’s Museum, Manchester Public School Systems.

  1991- 2001     The McGraw Hill Companies,
Project Manager (1996-2001) Managed strategic leadership and end-to-end project development with 80+ highly creative, technical staff in the launch of K-12 English and Spanish Educational software for state adoptions. 

CGI Artist and Lead Outsourcing Artist (1991 – 1996) Original illustration and design of K-12 Educational Software for state adoptions. Served as lead outsourcing artist, reviewed artwork of vendor artists/animators, approved invoices, and verified asset integration within deliverables.

  1990              North Green Country Day School, Woodbury, CT
                        Developed Preschool Art Program, purchased materials, and taught 3–4-year-olds.

  1989 - 1991    Promotional Innovations - Stamford, CT
                        Managed a fast-paced promotional art studio. Trained staff Art Directors in
                        use of Apple hardware and software including Adobe Photoshop and Quark Express.

  1988 - 1989    Davidoff & Partners Advertising Agency, Westport, CT
                        Graphic Design and operated darkroom equipment.

  1987 – 1988   Picture This of Westport, CT
                        Professional Custom Picture Framer with expertise in client facing design, sales and
                        fabrication of archival products and procedures, cutting mats and frames to spec and 
                        installing 2D and 3D art.

Selected Group Exhibits 

  2021              Small Art Big Impact               Lina Rincon Gallery, Sarasota, FL

  2021              Into the Blues                          Lina Rincon Gallery, Sarasota, FL
                                                                        3rd Place Ribbon Photography

  2021              Here comes the Sun                 Sarasota Art Center, Sarasota, FL
                                                                         Juror, Savannah Magnolia

  2021              Onward and Upward                Sarasota Art Center, Sarasota, FL

  2020              The Big Show, National           Sarasota Art Center, Sarasota, FL

  2018              Healing Nature, National         Cape Code Museum of Art, MA
                                                                         Juror, Mark Adams

  2018              Member Exhibit                       Provincetown Art Museum, MA
                                                                         Juror, Randi Hopkins

  2014              Invitational                              Autumn Light Gallery, Avon, CT 
                                                                         Curator, Christopher Hayes                  

  2012              Invitational                              Norfolk Artisan Guild, Norfolk, CT 
                                                                        Curator, Kathy Williams

  2011              Future Tense, International      David Borawski Projects
                                                                         Curator, David Borawski         

  2011              WordArt 2011                          Gallery on the Green, Canton, CT 
                                                                         Curator, Ken Green                  

  2008              Ceramics Invitational               Canton Clay Works, Canton, CT 
                                                                         Curator, Tim Scull

  2007              Sacred Spaces                          Clare Gallery, Hartford, CT 
                                                                         Curator, Nancy Wynn  

  2002              Invitational                              Walter Wickiser Gallery, NY, NY 
                                                                         Curator, Walter Wickiser         

  2002              Invitational                              Pensacola Museum of Art, Pensacola, FL 
                                                                        National Endowment for the Arts                     

  2001              Invitational                              Visual Arts Center Northwest Florida, PC, FL
                                                                         Catalogue       

  2000              Abstraction International          Period Gallery, Lincoln, NE     

  2000              International Visual Literacy    Iowa State University, Ames, IA 
                                                                          Catalogue                    

  1997              Connecticut Women Artists     New Britain Museum/American Art, New Britain, CT

Selected Solo Exhibits

  2021              Sun, Sea & Sarasota                 Zero Empty Spaces, Sarasota, FL

  2013               The Art of Local Lakes                        West End Store, Barkhamsted, CT

  2013               Paradise Near and Far              Norfolk Artisan Guild, Norfolk, CT

  2012               Art Inspired by Life                 Kelly Art Studios Gallery, Burlington, CT

  2003              Fluid Static                              Charter Oak Cultural Center, Hartford, CT

  2001              Aqua Terra                              Blue Circle Gallery, Middletown, CT

  1999              Flow                                        Hartford Art School, University of Hartford, CT

  1998              Water Rising                            University of Connecticut, West Hartford, CT

Collaborative Projects

  2010              Foto365                                   Artposse, CT & FL Aric Attas, Kathleen Kelly
                                                                        David Borawski, Nancy Wynn

  2004              Who Do You Love,                  Village at Buckland Court, South Windsor, CT 
                                                                        Public Art Project 

  2003              Flow (Movie)                           Director Kathleen Kelly, Music Matthew Stonewell, 
                                                                        Video William Bradford, Photography Aric Attas,

Gratis Services, Honors and Awards

  2021-22         HD Camera Operator, Grace Community, Lakewood Ranch, FL 

  2014              Volunteer, Northwest CT Arts Council

  2013              HD Camera Operator and Film Director, New Media Technology, VCBC, Avon, CT

  2013              Haiti Art Camp, KidsAlive Curriculum Advisor, VCBC, Avon, CT

  2013              Youth Art and Adult Art Juror | Committee, Harwinton Fair, Harwinton, CT

  2009              Ceramics, First Place Award, Manchester Art Association, South Windsor, CT

  2009              Hall of Fame Inductee, Manchester Arts Commission, City of Manchester, CT

  2005              Art Education Committee and Board Member, Artwell Gallery, Torrington, CT

  2005              Art Advisor to the Exec. Director, Lutz Children’s Museum, Manchester, CT 

  2004              Exhibits | Curatorial Committee Member, Huntington House Museum, Winsor, CT

  2003              The Loom Room, Commission, Manchester Historical Society, Manchester, CT

  2003              Board Member, Manchester Arts Commission (MAC), Manchester, CT

  2001              President, Manchester Art Association (MAA), Manchester, CT

  1996              State President, Vice President, CT Chapter Business and Professional Women

Lectures and Workshops

  2014              Seeing Color in Shadows, Hartford Art School, University of Hartford, CT

  2012              Brushwork for Potter’s, Slip and Glazes, Kelly Art Studios, New Hartford, CT

  2012              Art Inspired by Life, Kelly Art Studios, Burlington, CT

  2007              The Self-Portrait, Connecticut Association of Schools, University of Hartford, CT  

  2006              An Artist with Autism, Manchester Art Association, Manchester, CT 

  2005              Who Do You Love, Village at Buckland Court, South Winsdor, CT

  2004              Fluid Static, Charter Oak Cultural Center, Hartford, CT

  2004              The Art of Islam, a ceramic tile workshop, Manchester High School, Manchester, CT

  2000              The Art and Culture of Spain, Business and Professional Women of Connecticut

  2000              Flow, Hartford Art School, University of Hartford, West Hartford, CT

  1998              Water Rising | Undergraduate Critique, University of Connecticut, West Hartford, CT

  1989 - 1995    Young Authors and Illustrators, Motivational Tour, Connecticut Public Schools, CT

Publishing Experience

  2009                Silk Fist Songs, Cover Photo, Antrim House Books, Marilyn Johnson, Poet

  2003 - 2005     Art Methods, Featured Columnist, ArtisFX Magazine, CT

  1992                Board Game of Children’s Literature, Illustrator, Teaching K-8 Magazine, CT

  1991                One Ghost Too Many, YA Book Illustrator, Penquin Books, NYC 

  1990                Sister’s Long Ago, YA Book Illustrator, Penquin Books, NYC

  1989                Literary Classics, Book Illustrator, Chelsea House Publishing, New Haven, CT

  1988                Babies! Book Photographer, Holiday House Publishing, NY

  1988                River Friends, Author and Illustrator, Atheneum Children’s Books, NY

Current Organizations                                              Past Organizations

  Art Center Sarasota                                                    College Art Association (CAA) 

  Art and Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County             Wadsworth Atheneum

  National Oil and Acrylic Painters                               Northwest CT Arts Council

  Plein-air Painters of Florida                                       National Association Women Artists

  Light Chasers, Sarasota, FL                                       

Exhibitions Juror

  2006 Manchester Arts Commission                            

  2004 Paier College of Art 

Plein Air Painting Excursions

Hawaii                         2013    The Big Island of Hawaii and Kauai

Italy                             2001    Rome, Florence, and Venice 

Spain and Portugal       1998    Madrid, Barcelona, Seville, Granada, Lisbon

Ireland                         1998    Dublin, Belfast, Donegal, Sligo, Galway, Clare, Kerry, Cork


Back to Top