Artist Biography

Kelsey Joanna Reyes was born in 1992 in Takoma Park, Maryland, and has lived in various parts of the state. In 2009, Kelsey studied at The Art Institute of Washington, where she explored photography along with studio art. She graduated from River Hill High School in 2010 with honors; in 2017 she received her Associate's Degree in Studio Art at Howard Community College and was also recognized on the Dean’s List. After graduating, she worked for the community college as a tutor, helping various students in their academic studies. While tutoring, Kelsey found her passion in teaching others the value of what art means and how it can be expressed through thoughts and emotions. She also worked at a local daycare with elementary school-age children as a lead teacher in Columbia, Maryland. Kelsey is currently a student at Bowie State University in pursuit of her Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Art, which she will use to pursue a career as a middle school art teacher.

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As she dives deeper into experimenting with values and texture, Kelsey is currently discovering using color photography as she usually preferers Black and White in her photographs. She is interested in using photography as a tool to explore culture, beauty, fashion, and sexuality. Kelsey has also been exploring other mixed media such as video and sound to incorporate with her art. She has a passion for expressing how photography connects to people through the form of realism around the world through culture. 

 

Kelsey engages with art patrons by way of commissions privately and personally. She has showcased a few of her works in school exhibitions as well as charity organizations. In the future, she hopes to teach students how they too can be creative and present their art in galleries and worldwide exhibitions. Kelsey intends to connect with viewers through her photographs and engage them in her thoughtful consideration of the value of art along with capturing a moment that can inspire others to do the same.