Mission

See more at www.linkedin.com/in/openwindowstudio

The purpose of the Open Window Studio is to support local artists by offering instructional classes for youth and adults, by providing a workspace for artists to further develop their skills, and in providing a unique setting for area artists and community members to connect and learn from one another. The Studio offers quality learning opportunities and experiences, guided by an experienced Teaching Artist.

Kelly Hughes continues to develop her skills through individual practice and interdisciplinary study. She has a degree in Fine Arts/Science from New York state. She has completed coursework in fine arts, biology and elementary education and has accumulated practical teaching experience in visual arts.

Kelly has worked as a nanny, worked alongside teachers in public and private schools, and has provided art lessons to over 350 students. In 2003, upon moving to the family’s present address, Kelly eased into the role of entrepreneur. She began managing her home business Open Window Studio for the developing artists of the community, where she currently teaches summer workshops and offers private lessons for students pre-school to adult. Kelly has taught art workshops and weekly classes for Deer Creek Christian Academy, St. Paul Lutheran School After-School Art Program, Immaculate Conception School, Continuing Education at Southeast, Horizons at Southeast, Crisp Museum at Southeast, Riverside Regional Library, Cape Public Library, Jackson R-2 Schools and The Arts Council. Her mural and custom painting business Imaginteriors also flourishes.

Kelly exhibits her works done in a variety of artistic media, preferring pencil illustration, acrylic murals, pastel, sculpture and fashion design.

GROUPS AND ASSOCIATIONS:
Visual Arts Cooperative
Arts Council of Southeast Missouri
Cape Girardeau Conservation Nature Center
St. Paul Lutheran School
Deer Creek Christian Academy
Imaginteriors
Teaching Artist Project
Association of Missouri Interpreters
Yoga Fit Certified Instructor

EXPERIENCE
Arts Educator, Horticulture Educator
Deer Creek Christian Academy
August 2008 – 2013
Weekly art classes with students in grades K - 8
Weekly horticultural class with students in grades 5 - 8

Teaching Artist for Adventures in Art after school program
St. Paul Lutheran School
August 2008 – Present (2 years 7 months)
Teaching Artist by contract, offering art program to students in grades 1-8 twice weekly.

Independent Professional Artist, Teaching Artist/Arts Educator
OPEN WINDOW STUDIO
2001 – Present (10 years)
* Paint interior murals and faux finishes for sister company Imaginteriors
* Experience in commissioned painting and design work, custom graphics and marketing services, publication illustration and custom signs
* Offering art lessons and workshops to all ages throughout the year, as well as providing arts education to local private schools
Kelly Hughes has taught art classes for St. Paul Lutheran School and Deer Creek Christian Academy, planned and instructed the “Adventures in Art” classes in her studio, and has taught more than six classes for the Arts Council of Southeast Missouri sponsored summer arts program.
In studio, Kelly fulfills commissions and creates personal work for exhibition - illustrating, painting and sculpting expressive ideas into form. Her work has been exhibited in eight Nature Centers in Missouri, as well as art galleries and professional offices.

2001 – Present (9 years 9 months)
IMAGINTERIORS Custom Interior Murals, Borders & Finishes
With the encouragement and requests of friends and family, my passion for specialty painting has become a part-time business. More than 30 of these custom, hand-painted projects have been completed, including magical children’s rooms, custom borders, stage backdrops, faux finishes, ceilings, and exterior pool surrounds. I also design business signs, promotional materials, and create graphic designs for professional business clients.

Visual Arts Co-op artist
Arts Council of Southeast Missouri
2008 – November 2010 (2 years)
In studio, Kelly fulfills commissions and creates personal work for exhibition - illustrating, painting and sculpting expressive ideas into form. Her work has been exhibited in eight Nature Centers in Missouri, as well as art galleries and professional offices.
Kelly works in a variety of artistic media, preferring illustration, acrylic painting and murals, pastel, sculpture and fashion design. She finds inspiration in the natural world, in the love of friends and family, and in engaging and encouraging the creative fire in others.

PUBLICATIONS
Children and Dogs
ACE of Animal Behavior·2002
Authors: Kelly Hughes
Provided images for child's educational coloring book

Swamp Stompers
Missouri Department of Conservation Nature Center·August 2008
Authors: Kelly Hughes, Liana Jenkins
Provided layout design, text and images for a brochure

Shutterfox Photography
Open Window Studio·2009
Authors: Kelly Hughes
Designed and published original logo and marketing materials

Jefferson Fox, Singer / Songwriter
Open Window Studio·2009
Authors: Kelly Hughes
Design and publication of press release envelopes and original backdrop

Caterpillars With Character notecards and postcards
PDQ Printing·March 2007
Authors: Kelly Hughes
Original illustrations of twenty caterpillars of Missouri, published as note card sets and postcard sets. (Currently available for purchase from Open Window Studio and the Arts Council.)

ArtsCape Festival
Arts Council of Southeast Missouri·May 2004
Authors: Kelly Hughes
Original design used in marketing and promotion, included in postcards, tee shirts and posters

ArtsCape Festival
Arts Council of Southeast Missouri·May 2001
Authors: Kelly Hughes
Original design used in marketing and promotional materials, including tee shirts, postcards and posters

ACCOMPLISHMENTS:
Taught monthly workshops at the Crisp Museum, guest artist workshops at Jackson R-2 public school, St.Paul Lutheran school, guest artist workshop instructor /docent training at SE Missouri Regional Museum, art educator public workshops sponsored by Friends of the Riverside Regional Library, yearly arts donations to community parochial schools, commissions for gift card designs, photography, publication illustrations and special event backdrop designs for the Cape Girardeau Conservation Nature Center, program presentations and artist interviews at the Nature Center, completion of a coloring book for a non-profit organization, yearly participation in the ArtsCape festival “Chalk Walk”, member of community volunteer organizations