A native of the architecturally progressive prairie town of Columbus, Indiana, Cynthia Ryan Kelly was formally educated at traditional midwestern academic establishments (BFA + MFA). She has been the recipient of several grants in recent years, the funds of which have enabled her to extend and expand her work, which include producing the series Stories About Mountaintop Removal (2006-08), establishing a website, extending the operation of The Counterpane, an art school and studio (2007-2010) and producing the exhibition, Freedom Summer Paintings: A Mississippi Season of Harassment, Terrorism and Progress (2015). She is showing a display of still life paintings titled Leaving It All On the Table at City Gallery in Lexington, KY until August 3, 2024. She is one half of Overstamped: a 32-year collaborative postcard project with Leslie Keats. Currently, she has a studio for larger works as well as a messy, creative center at her home where she attempts to keep the dog away from the collection of turkey bones.

Contributions: Two works [Summer 2024]