About
Multimedia artist and curator, Kelly Ferguson, seeks to create meaningful conversations and connections, originating from personal experiences through her paintings. Her work centers around personal identity, emotion, the figure, and expression to promote a more empathetic world. Above all else, painting is a solace to her soul even if only to feel the fluidity of the brush or to deeply immerse herself in the focus of her subject. The work of abstraction serves as a way to make sense of the senseless-- to grab the amorphous emotions, thoughts, and the subconscious worries and to give them color and form.
Exhibitions
2025 A1 Collaborative Arts, Knoxville Museum of Art
2024 Objects Lost and Found, A1 Collaborative Arts, RED Gallery, Robin Easter Design, Knoxville, TN
2023 Group Show, Ridge Gallery, Spartanburg, SC
2023 A1 Collaborative Arts Members Show, RED Gallery, Robin Easter Design, Knoxville, TN
2023 A1 Collaborative Group Show, Ijams Nature Center, Knoxville, TN
2023 It's Still Life, Solo Exhibition, Little River Coffee Bar, Spartanburg, SC
2023 Open Doors Studios, Solomon Gallery, Artists Collective, Spartanburg, SC
2023 Revelations, Determined to Soar: An Evening with Marlee Matlin, Twichell Auditorium, Spartanburg, SC
2023 Connections Gallery, Greenville-Spartanburg Airport, Greenville, SC
2022 Art Party, Friday Arts Project, Rock Hill, SC
2022 Assemblage, Dent Fine Arts Center, Spartanburg, SC
2021 Rediscovery, Milliken Gallery, Converse University, Spartanburg, SC
2019 Converse University Juried Art Show, Converse University, Spartanburg, SC (President's Award)
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Publications and Press
2023 Ramblin’ Man Podcast
2023 Interview, Episode 67, Knox Area Artist Networking Platform
2023 Flow, Lilienthal Gallery, Knoxville, TN
2023 Metamorphosis, Lilienthal Gallery, Knoxville, TN
2023 "Meet Kelly Ferguson", Canvas Rebel
2022 "Daily Inspiration: Meet Kelly Ferguson," South Carolina Voyager
2022 "Forging Ahead," Converse Magazine Fall 2022, Converse University
2021"Mother-Daughter Doctorates," Converse Magazine, Converse University
2021 "Ricky Hess: Passion for Making Music and the Guitar He Plays," Frontiers Magazine, Spartanburg Methodist College
2021 "SMC Grad Measures Success in Lack of Attention," Frontiers Magazine, Spartanburg Methodist College
2019 Converse University Concept Journal, Spartanburg, SC
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Affiliations
Maker City, Knoxville, TN
A1 Lab Arts, Knoxville, TN
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Education
2021 BA Studio Art, Converse University
2021 BA cum laude Hispanic Studies, Converse University
2021 BFA cum laude Creative and Professional Writing, Converse University
Experience
2023 Gallery Director, Lilienthal Gallery, Knoxville, TN
2023 Programs Manager, Keep the TN River Beautiful, Knoxville, TN
2022 Communications Specialist, The Johnson Collection, Spartanburg, SC
2021 Social Media Curator and Account Representative, Annabelle's Best Ever Series, The Palladian Group, Spartanburg, SC
2020 Blog Writer, Intern for Digital Storm SEO for project Handiworker’s Guide
2019 Associate Editor, UReCA Journal, National Collegiate Honors Council
2018 Chief Editor, Converse University Concept Journal, Spartanburg, SC
2016 Co-Editor, Hurricane Watch Newspaper, First Baptist School. Charleston, SC
Awards/Scholarships
2020 Lykes Award: Best Essay in Converse Concept Journal, Converse University
2019 President’s Award, Converse College Juried Art Show, Converse University
2019 Agnes Petty Pringle Scholarship, Converse University
2017-2021 Palmetto Fellows Grant, Converse University
2017-2021 Converse Academic Merit Scholarship
2017-2021 Visual Arts Scholarship, Converse College
2015-2017 National Honor Society Member, First Baptist School. Charleston, SC
2016 Converse College Scholar, Spartanburg, SC
2016 Columbia College Scholar, Columbia, SC
2016 Dean’s List, Trident Technical School, Charleston, SC
