Vicinanza Studios & Gallery is delighted to host an artist reception for Kelly Keenan, a Southbury-based painter and potter whose work serves as a heartfelt reflection of her lifelong connection to the natural world.

Kelly’s dual practice explores the "quiet observations" of everyday life: time spent in the garden, the emergence and fade of the seasons, and the animals that share her landscape. These moments are masterfully translated across mediums, from the expressive brushstrokes of her paintings to the intricate textures and patterns of her ceramic forms.

About the Artist Born in Montgomery, Alabama, and raised in the wide-open spaces of Hutchinson, Kansas, Kelly’s rural upbringing deeply shaped her artistic lens. After earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Bethany College, she moved to New York City to pursue a career in the arts. Alongside her studio practice, Kelly has built an esteemed professional career in art services and collections care. She currently serves as Director of Art Services for a private group, following leadership roles at Crozier Fine Arts where she became a national voice in fine art best practices and disaster preparedness.

Now a vital member of the Southbury community, Kelly serves as President of the Southbury Arts and Culture Alliance (SACA) and is a dedicated educator, teaching everything from landscape painting to wheel-throwing. Her work is inspired by a vast lineage of artists—from the bold colors of Vincent van Gogh and David Hockney to the textural depth of Simone Leigh and William de Morgan.

Join us for a special evening to meet Kelly, discuss her creative process, and view a body of work that brings the beauty of nature into the home.