MONROE - "The Whimsical World of Tom Kelly," a collection of brightly-colored paintings and wood sculptures from Mineral Point artist Tom Kelly, will be on exhibit Friday through June 5 in the Monroe Art Center's Frehner Gallery, 1315 11th St.
Kelly's wood carvings include his trademark bird sitting on an olive, an apple, a mushroom, a big red heart, and other objects.
Exhibit organizers said Kelly's carvings are "abundant with a sheer playfulness and pure innocence. Tom's signature evening sky with its full moon will pull you into his canvas, while his flying sheep take you on adventures you thought you'd left to your childhood."
Kelly credits his artistic creativity to his grandmother, Cecilia Anderson, and recalls many fond memories of walking through the woods with her. There she'd carefully choose just the right plant to place in her basket for dying her hand-spun wool. When they'd reach home, his grandmother created varied colors from their finds and allowed her young grandson to experiment with colors, which is something he does to this day.
Kelly is a resident artist at Longbranch Gallery in Mineral Point. His work can be found in many permanent collections including Indianapolis Children's Museum, the University of Wisconsin-Madison collection, the Lands' End headquarters collection, and numerous other businesses and private collections in the United States and abroad.
In addition, artwork by non-professional artists participating in the 28th Annual Wisconsin Regional Art Program Competition will be on display in MAC's Wesley Hall. Kelly will serve as judge for the competition. An opening reception for both exhibits is scheduled from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday in Frehner Gallery. A brief gallery talk by Kelly will begin at 5:30 p.m. The free event is open to the public.
This exhibit has been made possible by MAC corporate underwriter Colony Brands, Inc., and season media underwriters Monroe Publishing, LLC and Big Radio, with additional support from Michael and Shelley Muranyi, Paul and Sue Barrett, and Lee and Chris Knuteson.
Kelly's wood carvings include his trademark bird sitting on an olive, an apple, a mushroom, a big red heart, and other objects.
Exhibit organizers said Kelly's carvings are "abundant with a sheer playfulness and pure innocence. Tom's signature evening sky with its full moon will pull you into his canvas, while his flying sheep take you on adventures you thought you'd left to your childhood."
Kelly credits his artistic creativity to his grandmother, Cecilia Anderson, and recalls many fond memories of walking through the woods with her. There she'd carefully choose just the right plant to place in her basket for dying her hand-spun wool. When they'd reach home, his grandmother created varied colors from their finds and allowed her young grandson to experiment with colors, which is something he does to this day.
Kelly is a resident artist at Longbranch Gallery in Mineral Point. His work can be found in many permanent collections including Indianapolis Children's Museum, the University of Wisconsin-Madison collection, the Lands' End headquarters collection, and numerous other businesses and private collections in the United States and abroad.
In addition, artwork by non-professional artists participating in the 28th Annual Wisconsin Regional Art Program Competition will be on display in MAC's Wesley Hall. Kelly will serve as judge for the competition. An opening reception for both exhibits is scheduled from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday in Frehner Gallery. A brief gallery talk by Kelly will begin at 5:30 p.m. The free event is open to the public.
This exhibit has been made possible by MAC corporate underwriter Colony Brands, Inc., and season media underwriters Monroe Publishing, LLC and Big Radio, with additional support from Michael and Shelley Muranyi, Paul and Sue Barrett, and Lee and Chris Knuteson.