KELA
analogue photographer + woodworker
multidisciplinary artist
ARTIST STATEMENT
Film photography fuels my creative spirit, propelling me to new heights with each deliberate 35mm frame. My artistry seamlessly intertwines with my way of life, fostering mindfulness and an earnest appreciation for the often-overlooked wonders of the natural world. As an artist in constant evolution, I'm driven to push the boundaries of my abilities, unlocking gateways to blend diverse art forms and fresh perspectives. This journey leads to a more expansive and holistic artistic evolution.
My steadfast purpose is to encourage self-acceptance and inner liberation. I'm fully dedicated to continuous growth – particularly in spiritual, emotional, and intellectual dimensions, with relationships holding a central place in this commitment. These facets infuse my work with the energies of joy, love, peace, and freedom. Through the harmonious connection with my mission, I nurture profound inner peace, knowing that my creative impact flows purposefully and unbounded, touching hearts and souls along its path.
artistry & leadership
Kela is a visionary artist dedicated to guiding individuals toward discovering purpose within THEIR DIVINE plan. Her creative talents span AMONGST film photography, WOODWORKING, prose, poetry, and painting which she skillfully combines to foster healing and personal growth.
By harmonizing these diverse artistic elements, Kela bridges creativity with healing, recognizing their essential roles in personal development.
Early on, Kela embarked on a journey towards emotional freedom, freedom of expression, and embracing her free-spirited nature. Authenticity and living according to her own purpose have become her core values.
Embracing authenticity and inner freedom has become central to Kela's journey. She transitioned from conforming to others' expectations to living in alignment with her divine purpose, leading to profound personal fulfillment.
With a background in psychology from temple university and as a trained Dream Builder Coach, Kela's mindfulness journey extends beyond formal education. Her path involves embracing vulnerability, seeking clarity, and using life's experiences to shape her true desires.
Mindfulness and lovingkindness are fundamental in Kela's life, guiding her to extract the fullest potential from every experience. She is driven to empower individuals seeking to turn challenges into victories.
Kela's spiritual growth is deeply rooted in her connection with God, emphasizing the significance of being present and open to life's fundamental lessons. She believes in the power of the mind as a divine conduit, shaping each moment of our lives.
her PROUD moments
thanks to the south carolina arts commission, kela is a two-time grant RECIPIENT, first given the emerging artist grant in 2021 for a six month project and then the emerging artist alumni grant in 2025 for an 18 month project. kELA HAS HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO CREATE NEW MEANS OF WORK THROUGH THE EMERGING ARTIST GRANT OFFERED TO HER IN 2021 by the South Carolina arts commission TO CREATE HER SHORT FILM ‘TO BE FREE’.
kELA WAS SELECTED BY ARTFIELDS TO SHOWCASE THE SHORT FILM ‘TO BE FREE’ IN 2022 FOR THEIR 10TH ANNUAL FESTIVAL, AND HER COLLECTION OF FRAMED PHOTOS CALLED ‘SEED OF LIGHT’ IN 2023 FOR THEIR 11TH ANNUAL FESTIVAL.
KELA WAS SOUGHT OUT BY MUSC HEALTH AS A FILM PHOTOGRAPHER TO SHARE SELECTED PHOTOGRAPHS IN AN INSTALLATION CALLED HEIRLOOMS: THE BLACK SOUTH COLLECTION IN THE MAIN HOSPITAL IN CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA. HER WORK IS ALSO DISPLAYED IN THE MUSC WELLNESS CENTER DOWNTOWN CHARLESTON as a permanent collection of work.
kela was selected to be a lightning resident studio artist at redux contemporary art center in charleston, sc in the fall of 2023 and is currently a permanent studio artist at redux.
SHE HAS BEEN FEATURED IN SEVERAL GALLERY EXHIBITIONS SHOWCASING HER WORK AS A group and as a STAND ALONE ARTIST. KELA’S MISSION IS TO SHARE HER creations as functional art IN PUBLIC AND COMMUNITY SPACES ACROSS THE WORLD IN NEW AND MEANINGFUL WAYS.
kELA SELF PUBLISHED HER FIRST film PHOTOGRAPHY BOOK ENTITLED ‘THE RESET': FILM PHOTOGRAPHY ON EXPANSION IN GREYSCALE’ that is available for purchase on amazon.
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CURRICULUM VITAE
RESUME
Education
2024, Community Business Academy, Good Enterprises, Charleston, SC
2012, BA of Psychology, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA
Professional Experience
2024, Analogue Photographer, Four Women, Starlight Motor Inn, North Charleston, SC
2024, Analogue Photographer, Jenifer Padilla, Kulture Klash, Building 64, Charleston, SC
2024, Analogue Photographer, Album Cover, Shrouded Fortress, Sullivans Island, SC
2023, Website Developer & Designer, EdWil LLC, Orangeburg, SC
2023, Charlotte Fashion Week, Visual and Performing Arts Center, Charlotte, NC
2022, Analogue Photographer, MUSC Health Fitness Center, Charleston, SC
2022, Artist/Painter, Mural Art, Herman Keith, Orangeburg, SC
2022, Artist/Painter, Mural Art, 44Murals Project, Atlanta, GA
2021, Analogue Photographer, Album Cover, Chris Jenkins, Irmo, SC
2021, Photographer, Annual Conference, SCATA, Myrtle Beach, SC
Residency Programs
2023, Film Photography & Multimedia, LIGHTENING RESIDENCY, Redux Contemporary Art Center, Charleston, SC
GRANTS & Awards
2025, Best in Show Grand Prize, World Keeps Turning, Aedra Fine Arts
2025, emerging artist alumni grant, south carolina arts commission, columbia, sc
2022, Honors/Honorable Mention, Liquid Sky, Praxis Gallery, Minneapolis, MN
2021, Emerging Artist Grant, South Carolina Arts Commission, Columbia, SC
Curated Exhibitions
2025-Present, Beyond Time: An All African American Art Exhibition, Park Circle Community Building, Charleston, SC
2024, The Higher Ground: A Journey Through Liberation, Co-curated Alongside Lauren Tillar, Blum, Charleston, SC
SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2023, Liberation of Harmony: Reimagining Analogue Photography by Tabitha Ott, Curator, 713 Studios, Columbia, SC
Group Exhibitions
2025-Present, Iya, Arthur Rose Museum, Claflin University, Orangeburg, SC
2025-Present, World Keeps Turning, Aedra Fine Arts, Curated by Michael Hanna
2024, 22ND ANNUAL AUCTION, REDUX CONTEMPORARY ART CENTER, CHARLESTON, SC
2024, THIRD THURSDAYS, BOYD INNOVATION CENTER, CURATED BY TABITHA OTT, COLUMBIA, SC
2024, Future Tense; Infinite Horizons, Curated by Tabitha Ott, Goodall Gallery, Columbia, SC
2024, Creative corridors, redux contemporary art center, charleston, sc
2024, Behold, Curated by Tabitha Ott, One Columbia, Columbia, SC
2024, Permanent Collection of Artwork, MUSC Wellness Center, Charleston, SC
2023, Nostalgia, Curated by Tabitha Ott, 713 Studios, Columbia, SC
2023, 21st Annual Auction, Redux Contemporary Art Center, Charleston, SC
2023, 11th Annual ArtFields Festival, Lake City, SC
2022, Liquid Sky, Praxis Gallery, Minneapolis, MN
2022, 10th Annual ArtFields Festival, Lake City, SC
2021, Surrounded by Nature by Piya Samant, Curator, Art Mums
2022, Studies Show, Curated by Noah Williams of MUSC, Redux Contemporary Art Center, Charleston, SC
2022-Present, Permanent Collection of Artwork, Heirlooms: The Black South Collection, MUSC Health, Charleston, SC
Film festivals & Screenings
2022, Films at the Farm: Summer of Love, Luminal Theater, Columbia, SC
Publications as Author
“The Reset: Film Photography on Expansion in Greyscale,” October 2022
DIGITAL & PRINT/MEDIA Photography Publications
2025, World Keeps Turning, Critical Review, Aedra Fine Arts Publishing
2022, Painting Our World: Personal Stories of Artistic Ingenuity and Triumph, Pages 105-110
2022, The Reset: Film Photography on Expansion in Greyscale, KELA, Self-Published
2022, Liquid Sky: International Juried Photography Exhibition, Honors/Honorable Mentions Magazine, Praxis Gallery, Page 19
2022, The Purposeful Mayonnaise: A Literary & Art Journal, Volume 2, Issue 2, Page 46
2022, The Huts Magazine: Issue 4, Page 107
Film Productions
2022, “The Woman Who Smells of Sunflowers,” Musical Video in Slide Motion
2021, “to be free,” Slide Motion Short Film (Funded by the South Carolina Arts Commission)
Interviews & Panel Discussions
2025, Who Do You Love?, Redux Contemporary Art Center, Charleston, SC
2025, ‘Beyond Time’: Honoring African-American Culture and Art, Live 5 News WCSC, Charleston, SC
2024, Going Public: Public Art Across SC, One Columbia
2024, Who Do You Love?, Mimsy’s Jazz Lounge, Columbia, SC
2023, How Are We Moved by an Image?, Sponsored by Mass Communications Department & Cecil Williams Civil Rights Museum, Claflin University, SC
2022, Meet KELA: What Did Your Parents Do Right?, CanvasRebel
Public Lectures & Instruction
2024, THE PLAN: TRANSITIONING YOUR ART FROM PASSION TO PROFESSION, REDUX CONTEMPORARY ART CENTER, CHARLESTON, SC
2023, LIBERATION OF HARMONY: REIMAGINING ANALOGUE PHOTOGRAPHY, 713 STUDIOS, COLUMBIA, SC
2022, “Unpacking,” Heirlooms: The Black South Collection, MUSC Health, Charleston, SC
2022, Pour Painting, The Orangeburg County Fine Arts Center, Orangeburg, SC
2020, “Work Your Mind, Flow with Universe, Be Called to Create,” FieldTrips, Creative Mornings