KELLY FRIEND

January 2024

Born in Central Ohio and currently living in Worthington, Ohio with my family, I am a visual artist and have been teaching visual art for more than 25 years.  I currently teach art at Marysville High School where I have been for the past 12 years. Before teaching high school I taught elementary art for 7 years. Prior to public education I interned as the education programs assistant at the Kennedy Museum of American Art at Ohio University.  I began the first chapter of the National Art Honor Society in our district and am the sponsor for this group of high school leaders in the visual arts. I have also received two Union County Chamber of Commerce Grants for improving arts education in my district.

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I have exhibited my work at the Houston House Gallery in the Local Artisan Expressions show and at the Fort Hayes Shot Tower Gallery in the Central Ohio Art Teachers Exhibit.  My work has been featured in the State of the Arts Exhibition at Ohio University for the last several years.  I have also been an artist for WildArtColumbus. I work closely with the Marysville Art League and have curated a quilting exhibit at the Houston House in Marysville.  I have an MFA in educational administration from Ashland University, as well as a BFA in painting and a BFA in art education from Ohio University. 

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 My  interests have recently led to me to take graduate course work in Art History.  I am also working to learn more about herbal medicine and the studies of herbalism.  This has led me to take several classes and I will begin a nine month Community Herbalism Intensive course this spring.