Kelly Lawler

I am a Philadelphia artist, healer, and active community member. My practice is centered around the energy that connects us and how the knowingness of that magic can change the world. I am passionate about healing, and see activating community as a here and now action as a priority. Infusions of art are the stepping stones of a powerful catalyst to healing.
Kelly Lawler contemplates the energy that connects us through her socially engaged work. Lawler received her MFA from the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts in 2023, holds a MS in Sports Administration from Georgia State University (Atlanta, GA) and a BFA in Graphic Design from Virginia Commonwealth University (Richmond, VA).
Lawler exhibits her work and hosts community events across the Philadelphia area including Philadelphia Jewish Museum of Art, National Liberty Museum, Abington Art Center, and Gross McCleaf Gallery. She has shown her work at CSI Project Space and Cristopher Gallery in Chicago and has been commissioned and created public works for Community College of Philadelphia, Cherry Street Pier, Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance and Palmer Park in Philadelphia
A Landmark scholarship awardee, Lawler received the schools 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 2024, she received an Illuminate the Arts Grant from Creative Philadelphia, the Creative Entrepreneur Accelerator Grant from the City of Philadelphia, and the Deena Gu Watercolor Prize from the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts. Lawler lives and works in Philadelphia
Interests
I have an active studio practice that involves a number of community, public art projects - see www.kellylawlerart.com and instagram @kellylawler555 for more detail




