COLUMBUS, Ohio — Desiree Kelly has been selected by the Kroger Company to create a large-scale mural for their Kroger Art Project at its new Reynoldsburg, Ohio store at 6580 E. Main St.
The Kroger Art Project hires artists to design and install large-scale murals in new or recently renovated stores around central Ohio. Kroger has previously commissioned central Ohio artists to create murals for stores in Columbus, Grove City, Lancaster, Marysville and Newark.
Kelly was one of three semi-finalists, including Curtis Goldstein and Danielle Wells, who were selected out of 60 applicants. Each of the three semi-finalists were given a $300 commission to create potential mural designs. Kelly was then chosen to create the mural for the Reynoldsburg store; she will receive $10,000 as a commission for the creation and installation of the mural.
Desiree Kelly and her family moved from Detroit to Reynoldsburg (43004) in 2015. She was raised on the east side of Detroit, and was introduced to oil painting while studying graphic design at Wayne State University. Her portraits of public icons are historically immersive and reflect on the narrative of her subjects by including artifacts and phrases within each piece. She is known for her distinctive mixture of street art and traditional oil technique. In addition to buildings and museums around Detroit, she has featured her work at arts fairs in Chicago; Miami; South Haven, Michigan; and Ferndale, Michigan. Kelly has also been commissioned by clients such as Atwater Brewery, Beaumont Health, Converse, The Ellen DeGeneres Show and Jack Daniels.
Mission of the Greater Columbus Arts Council: To support and advance the arts and cultural fabric of Columbus. www.gcac.org
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CONTACT: Jami Goldstein
(614) 221-8492
jgoldstein@gcac.org
