Finalist, Jerome Foundation Fellowship for Emerging Artists, MCAD, Minneapolis, MN
JIT Faculty Research Grant, University of Wisconsin-Stout, Menomonie, WI
2013
Representation (Juried) by DASHBOARD CO-OP, Atlanta, GA
Semifinalist, FEED2013 International Juried Biennial Exhibition, 1708 Gallery, Richmond, VA
Painting & Drawing Merit Scholarship, Anderson Ranch Arts Center, Snowmass Village, CO
2012
Artist Grant, Vermont Studio Center, Johnson, VT
Ox-Bow Scholarship Funded by the Joan Mitchell Foundation, Saugatuck, MI
Dave Bown Projects, http://davebownprojects.com/kelly_obrien.html Unrestricted monetary award to visual artists. Juried by Diane Mullin (Weisman Art Museum), Ron Platt (Modern and Contemporary Art at the Birmingham Museum of Art), and Mónica Ramírez-Montagut, (Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum)
Semifinalist, VCUarts Fountainhead Fellowship, Department of Painting + Printmaking, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA
Sculpture Merit Scholarship, Anderson Ranch Arts Center, Snowmass Village, CO
Welch School of Art and Design Director’s Award, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA
2011
Nominee, Dedalus Foundation Master of Fine Art Fellowship, New York, NY
2009
Sande H. Zirlin Award, Fine Arts Scholarship, Albany, NY
Sculpture Graduate Research Assistantship, Ernest G. Welch School of Art and Design, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA
2008
Doris Aikman Scholarship, The Buffalo Federation of Women’s Clubs, Buffalo, NY
Award for Excellence in Sculpture, Buffalo State College, Buffalo, NY
Press/Bibliography
2021
Feaster, Felicia. Artist Kelly O’Brien’s solo exhibition has teeth, June 8. The Atlanta Journal Constitution. Atlanta, GA
Fox, Cathy. Review: Last chance to see emerging artists Kelly O’Brien, Sam Parker and Nikki Starz at Kibbee Gallery. November 19. Atlanta, GA ARTSATL.COM
Cullum, Jerry. Review:Sculptures at Kibbee Gallery balance slapstick with malevolence. November 15. Atlanta, GA BURNAWAY.ORG
Teaching Experience
2024- Current
Professor of Sculpture, University of Wisconsin-Stout, Menomonie, WI
2019- 2024
Associate Professor of Sculpture, University of Wisconsin-Stout, Menomonie, WI
2013- 2019
Assistant Professor of Sculpture, University of Wisconsin-Stout, Menomonie, WI
2014- Current
Adjunct Professor, Minneapolis College of Art and Design (MCAD), Minneapolis, MN
MFA Mentor, Minneapolis College of Art and Design (MCAD), Minneapolis, MN
2013
Instructor/Visiting Artist-in-Residence, University of Rio Grande, Rio Grande, OH
2011-2012
Instructor of Record, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA
Private Figure Study Lessons, Atlanta, GA
2011-2009
Teaching Assistant, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA
Classes Taught
University of Wisconsin-Stout, Menomonie, WI
Contemporary Sculpture Practices I-III
Painting III
BFA Thesis Exhibition
Digital Sculpture Appropriation
Three-Dimensional Design
Two-Dimensional Design
Drawing I, Introduction to Observational Drawing
Minneapolis College of Art and Design (MCAD), Minneapolis, MN
MFA Graduate Critique Seminar
University of Rio Grande, Rio Grande, OH
Sculpture I-III, Beginning through Advanced Sculpture Majors
Three-Dimensional Design
Survey of Western Art History (Renaissance-1950)
Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA
Sculpture I, Introduction to Metal and Wood
Three-Dimensional Design Foundations
Artist Lectures
2020
Visiting Artist Lecture and Studio Visits, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO
Visiting Artist Lecture, St. Cloud State University, St. Cloud, MN
2019
Visiting Artist Lecture and Studio Visits, Hamline University, St Paul, MN
2017
McKnight Discussion Series, With Claire Gilman, Senior Curator of The Drawing Center, New York, NY at Minneapolis College of Art and Design (MCAD), Minneapolis, MN
Visiting Guest Artist, Bacon Lecture Series/Annual Turkey Iron Pour, Buffalo State College, Buffalo, NY
Art Mob Studio Lecture (Invitation from Diane Mullin, Senior Curator at the Weisman Art Museum), Weisman Art Museum (WAM), University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
2016
Guest Professor Lecture, Spatial Context sculpture course, University of Georgia, Athens, GA
2014
Guest Critic for MFA Seminar, Minneapolis College of Art and Design (MCAD), Minneapolis, MN
Faculty Exhibition Lecture, University of Wisconsin-Stout, Menomonie, WI
2013
Visiting Artist-in-Residence Lecture, University of Rio Grande, Rio Grande, OH
Foundry Experience
2006-Current
Cast Iron Pour Crew Member/Cast Iron Polytechnic Performer
Franconia Sculpture Park, Shafer, MN
Sloss Furnace Biannual Cast Iron Conferences, Birmingham, AL
Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA
University of Georgia, Athens, GA
William Patterson University Pour, Wayne, NJ
Pirkkala Iron Pour and Sculpture Symposium, Pirkkala, Finland
Buffalo State College, Buffalo, NY
Bronze/ Aluminum Casting
Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA
Buffalo State College, Buffalo, NY
Hamline University, St Paul, MN
Professional Experience
2019
Paintings on loan (Juried), Barnes & Thornburg Law Offices, Minneapolis, MN
Juror for Annual Area High School Art Exhibition, The Phipps Center for the Arts, Hudson, WI
Awarding scholarships to high school-age students from western Wisconsin and eastern Minnesota working in any media
2018
Paintings on loan (Juried), Moxy Hotel, Minneapolis, MN
2017
Art Mob Studio Tour (Invitation from Diane Mullin, Senior Curator at the Weisman Art Museum), Weisman Art Museum (WAM), University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
Paintings on loan (Juried), Barnes & Thornburg Law Offices, Minneapolis, MN
Paintings on loan (Juried), Phoenix Condominiums, Minneapolis, MN
2016
Paintings on loan (by invitation), KNOCK Inc. Advertising Agency, Minneapolis, MN
2013-Current
Curator, A Clean and Poorly Lighted Space, Student Exhibition Space, University of Wisconsin-Stout, Menomonie, WI
2013
Art Appreciation Workshops, University of Rio Grande, Rio Grande, OH
Develop and conduct an instructional workshop for local K-12 art teachers as well as several visits to area schools promoting the arts
2011
Public Relations, Edgewood Sculpture Forum, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA
2009
Sculpture Symposium: Fire Sculpting Abroad, Sabile, Latvia
2007
Sculpture Symposium, Summer Semester Abroad, Pirkkala, Finland
Collections
The Esther Allen Greer Museum, University of Rio Grande, Rio Grande, OH
