The H*Art Gallery Board of Directors unanimously elected Mindy Kelly as its new executive director. Ms. Kelly will replace Hart Gallery Founder Ellen Heavilon, who will continue to be involved with the organization as mentor and advocate.
“Mindy is the ideal choice for executive director,” said Ms. Heavilon. “She’s an artist as well as a businesswoman. Her special talents will continue H*Art’s mission to offer homeless and other non-traditional artists an opportunity to create and sell their artwork.
“Not only is Mindy the younger, better, business and artist version of myself, she brings a new depth to H*Art,” Ms. Heavilon continued. “She’ll increase the creative possibilities and programming so the gallery and its artists can grow.”
An Atlanta native, Ms. Kelly moved to her adopted hometown of Chattanooga in 2006. She is a self-taught artist who explores new ways of working with materials to create work in many layers of acrylic paint and mixed media using vintage books and magazines.
“I want people to find little gems hidden in my work that amuse or surprise them,” said Ms. Kelly.
Not only an artist, Ms. Kelly has 20 years of business background in the beauty industry as a small business owner. She sold her business in order to take on the leadership role at H*Art, where she originally served as a board member and volunteer artist.
“H*Art has gained the support and love of this community and has touched so many lives,” said Ms. Heavilon. “That passion and mission will live on under Mindy’s thoughtful leadership.”
Located at 110 E. Main St. on Chattanooga’s burgeoning Southside, the extended mission of H*Artt is to supply art materials and mentoring classes to community partner organizations, expanding H*Art’s impact well beyond the walls of the gallery. The gallery boasts an extensive marketable body of work, said officials. H*Art also invites groups to the gallery for tours, special events and community projects.
For online shopping and donations please visit H*Art’s website at www.hartgallerytn.com.