Meet Kelly Boehmer | Artist & Professor

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kelly Boehmer and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kelly, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
I love teaching and making art! I feel fortunate this career path worked out because I am not very good at much else. I also feel extremely lucky to have a job that fuels my art making practice. I am surrounded by creative people all day and that naturally inspires me. Teaching is humbling too – my students are so talented, smart, etc. They keep me on my toes!

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I think that most people working with fabric as a medium either typically use a sewing machine or hand-sew everything in a well-crafted way similar to a machine. I like to sew everything by hand, in an intentionally raw, emotional, and expressive way. I think that it makes the soft sculpture creatures look more vulnerable. I like that there is something “human” and relatable for the viewer about the handmade quality of the work.

I am excited about having just had my first solo exhibition in NY (Manhattan) at Satellite Art Show’s LES Gallery, and it had a write up in Whitehot Magazine.

For lessons that I have learned from personal experience, it is that even if you do not have the most talent as a young artist, you can make it through persistence and hard work. While you can’t control how much raw talent you are born with, the amount of time you spend researching (going to see work in person, watching films, reading, etc.), investing time in your studio, and seeking out feedback from artists that you trust, are all things that you can control.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I love showing friends and family around Savannah! It is a fun, quirky place. One of the best things to do is actually just to go for a walk around downtown with a to-go coffee (or even a cocktail!). The historic buildings are beautiful and there’s Spanish moss everywhere.

For shopping, I like Graveface record store – they have a good selection of vinyl (and taxidermy!), E. Shaver’s Bookstore (they have cats!) and Paris Market.

I like to take friends to see art at the SCAD Museum, the Jepson, Laney Contemporary, and Sulfur Studios.

The Wyld is a cute spot to have snacks and drinks while looking out over the water and marshes. The Grey or Common Thread are perfect for a nice dinner. If you want a fancy cocktail I recommend St. Bibiana’s or Alley Cat, but if you want a dive bar Pinkie’s or Midtown Sports Bar are great.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My family have always been very supportive with my art career. They travel to go see my shows and give a lot of moral support when I feel stressed about an exhibition. My husband, Chuck Carbia, gives me feedback, helps me with building armatures, helps me install work, and much more. I could not do the work without him.

Website: https://www.kellyboehmer.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kelly.boehmer/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelly-boehmer-268678266/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kelly.boehmer1

Other: https://whitehotmagazine.com/articles/anxiety-familiar-all-of-us/6525