The Trenton Artists Workshop Association (TAWA) and the Trenton Free Public Library will present “Recent Works by Thomas Kelly” at the Trenton Free Public Library from August 23 through October 11. An opening reception is set for Saturday, August 23, from 2 to 4 p.m.
Thomas Kelly is an award winning, New Jersey based painter — as well as a frequent contributor to Community News Service publications. Kelly’s work has a signature style, which has its roots in Expressionism. His colorful, narrative, acrylic paintings on canvas often create a dialogue with the viewer. His deceptively simplistic paintings are both critically acclaimed and very approachable by everyday viewers.
More than 350 of Kelly’s original paintings have been collected. Kelly has exhibited in New Jersey, New York City, Philadelphia and Bethlehem PA. His work is in private and public collections in the U.S., Europe and Asia.
“Thomas Kelly paints not the America we have, he paints America as we would like it to be. His paintings give us hope, like a modern Norman Rockwell,” said Walter Wickiser, owner of the eponymous New York City gallery that has represented Kelly, in 2023.
“My paintings are of common scenes, everyday occurrences in which people struggle to establish and maintain relationships. It is these universal emotions and situations which most interest me,” Kelly says in a bio on the Wickiser Gallery’s website.
TAWA is a Greater Trenton nonprofit organization and has a 40-year history organizing exhibits in such venues as the New Jersey State Museum, Trenton City Museum, Artworks Trenton, Prince Street Gallery in New York City, and more.
The Trenton Free Public Library is located at 120 Academy Street and is located in the Creek2Canal Trenton Arts District. Hours are Mondays through Thursdays, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Friday and Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information on the library, call 609-392-7188.
More information on the Trenton Artists Workshop Association can be found on the organization’s Facebook page.
'Geodesic Dome' by Tom Kelly.,
