Hi, I’m Kelly Ann Marano, an artist and educator based in Brooklyn, NY.

A woman with long brown hair, wearing a green apron and a lanyard, is holding a pottery wheel with a ceramic piece in progress in a pottery studio.

Growing up in New York City public schools and experiencing the impact of arts education firsthand shaped the way I see the world. I’ve always been fascinated by the way art can preserve a feeling long after a moment has passed. A familiar street, a favorite place, a person you love, or the quiet details of everyday life can all become something worth holding onto.

That’s what inspires my work. I explore people, places, nostalgia, travel, and the stories that connect us. I’m drawn to subjects that feel familiar, hoping to capture not just how they look, but how they feel.

For the past 11 years, I’ve had the privilege of teaching and developing arts programming for young artists throughout New York City. Today, I teach oil painting and fine arts in the same public high school where I once walked the halls as a student. It’s a full-circle experience that reminds me every day of the impact art and education can have.

Whether I’m in the classroom or the studio, I hope my work encourages others to slow down, look a little closer, and find beauty in the moments that often go unnoticed.