Meet Kelly

Kelly Haneklau is a multidisciplinary freelance artist who works primarily in acrylic and oils. She creates commissioned paintings and murals, is an illustrator, a speed painter for K[squared]² performance group, and teaches art out of her Virginia-based studio.

Kelly talks about her art theory: "It is not necessary to remain focused on one style or technique or genre. Think and create outside the box because there is no box begin with. Remain open in thoughts and processes to allow for deeper learning and creativity." 

Kelly received her Fine Arts degree from Radford University. She was awarded as a top ten best illustrator in an international competition culminating with her work being published in the book Art from Heart. Her watercolor "Old Town at Night" garnered First Place in the 2024 Historic Manassas, VA banner competition. She illustrated the children's book written by author; RL Sosa called Table Manners for Humans. A finalist in several art competitions, adjudicated and solo exhibitions, Kelly has exhibited and/or performed at the Torpedo Factory Art Center in Alexandria, VA; the Atlas Performing Arts Center in Washington, DC; the Hylton Performing Arts Center in Manassas, VA; Hershey Park Lodge, Hershey, PA,  Ivy Tech Community College Evansville, IN; the ARTfactory in Manassas, VA; McCall Studio Gallery in Old Town Manassas, VA; Open Space Arts in Woodbridge, VA;  Crossroads Arts Alliance in Haymarket, VA at the Haymarket Museum; Clearbrook Center of the Arts in Lake Ridge, VA and other venues and exhibits, as well as internationally online.

Kelly is proud to be the founder and president of Art of Life Charities, a Virginia-based 501(c)3 serving the DMV (D.C., Maryland, Virginia) region. The mission of the organization is to employ the arts to support communities in need. They support housing/food security, mental health and wellness, special health needs, equity, inclusion and other human needs. Find out more at the link above and donate HERE to join Kelly in helping others. 

She has been featured in Prince William Living, Prince William Perspective, and online with the Kuma Foundation for her artwork and volunteerism in the community. In 2020, she was voted as Best Artist in Prince William County by InsideNoVa by the community she serves. In 2021, Kelly, along with her creative partner of K[squared]², Kim B Miller, were awarded Community Arts Spotlight Winners by the Hylton Performing Arts Center. Her artwork was featured in Arts News magazine (Vol. 1 #5 Sept. 2022 and Vol. 3 #3 April/May 2024) and the Phoebe Journal 53.2 in May 2024. In 2021, Kelly was awarded a Humanitarian award from Business Crossing Network for her volunteerism in the DMV community.