Kelly O’Neill

Kelly O’Neill was born and raised in Michigan and now resides in Brighton. After a 34-year career in marketing with General Motors, she transitioned to full-time artistry in 2018, focusing on metal sculpture. Retirement opened space for deeper craftsmanship and reflection, with deliberate attention to construction and finish. O’Neill works with metal, clay, and glass. Her metal sculptures, created from recycled steel, are finished with powder coating, paint, or natural patinas. Her ceramics combine wheel-thrown and hand-built techniques, fired with custom glazes. Her glass work—fused and solid—adds bursts of color and light. Together, her practice reflects a fusion of iron and earth, each piece uniquely and symbiotically formed. Beyond her own work, Kelly is committed to supporting emerging artists. She began volunteering with Mint Artists Guild in 2018, contributing to brand development, social media, and fundraising. She joined the board in 2019 and became president in 2024, leading strategic planning, mentoring interns, and launching an alumni program. Artist Statement
“My creative expression emerges through the transformation of found metal objects, recasting their utilitarian origins into art. Inspiration begins with one or two pieces, guiding the evolving composition. Each element builds on the last, shaping a form defined by space, balance, and dimension. The process is organic, and the finished sculpture often surprises even me.”