kelci acree

music series

Kelci Acree is a multidisciplinary, self-taught artist whose passionate work spans painting, design, textiles, sewing, and video production. Her vivid paintings celebrate the soul and legacy of influential musicians from across the globe, each canvas telling a story beyond the portrait itself.

Acree's distinctive artistic approach begins with immersive research into each musician she portrays, developing such intimate knowledge of their lives and work that she forms a profound personal connection with subjects she's never met. This deep engagement—crossing boundaries of time, culture, and geography—allows her to paint with authentic reverence and insight. Her vibrant compositions feature not only the central figure but often include rich symbolic elements that reflect their musical contributions, cultural context, and historical significance. This thoughtful integration of narrative elements creates immersive visual experiences that educate viewers while celebrating musical innovators across diverse genres—from Chanson, Jazz, and Classical to Samba, Afro-beat, High-Life, Bossa-Nova, and Italian Swing.

A HOCKNEY STUDY

Kelci Acree’s selection for the artist residency with ArtsUP! Concepts at Essex Poinciana Gardens is a seamless match—one that unites her intuitive, research-driven process with the visual legacy and exploratory spirit of David Hockney. Known for her emotionally resonant portraits of musical legends, Acree approaches her subjects with a reverence grounded in deep study, personal connection, and symbolic composition. This mode of inquiry aligns perfectly with Hockney’s own interdisciplinary investigations into perception, memory, and the intimacy of place.

residency

Kelci Acree’s residency with ArtsUP! Concepts at Essex Poinciana Gardens offers more than just a setting—it provides a living environment that mirrors the layered, experiential qualities of her practice. The garden’s interplay of architecture, nature, and curated color creates a physical context in which Acree’s interpretive research can extend beyond the canvas. Her ability to translate biographical and cultural depth into painted form makes this setting an ideal space for exploring Hockney’s open-air sensibilities—his shifting perspectives, his attention to light, and his embrace of the outdoors as both subject and studio. This residency invites Acree to further evolve her work in direct conversation with a landscape that itself is expressive and intentional.

Acree’s educational impulse—her capacity to make artistic narratives accessible and emotionally resonant—finds natural expression in public and semi-public environments. Her past work already reflects a desire to connect with audiences beyond traditional gallery walls, using composition and symbolism to spark curiosity and reflection. In this context, the garden becomes not just backdrop but potential medium, allowing her to explore how painting and storytelling might inhabit outdoor space and offer shared, contemplative experiences. It is a setting that supports Acree’s instinct to create work that is as informative as it is affective—anchored in research, responsive to place, and generous in its offering to the public realm.

SWIMMING POOL, Kelci Acree 2025 in Memory of Gordon & Linda Ramsay