Kelly Darke

Kelly Darke is an artist and art therapist working in Metro Detroit. She began creating artwork as a young child, the middle of five children (who are artists and lawyers, and her parents are an artist and a lawyer). She graduated from Wayne State University with a Bachelor in Fine Arts with concentrations in painting and metals. Darke spent some time working in fine art galleries and working on her own art in her home studio. She also collaborates with her brother, also an artist, Colin Darke, on group projects that have most recently been shown at The Boll Family YMCA, and over a 100 pieces were displayed at LaFontsee Gallery during ArtPrize 2010.

This collaborative work began with the siblings developing an online art gallery to showcase their artwork and that of other artists they met online and in the local community. This website also evolved into a series of art exhibits where the Darkes showcased the art from the website in the homes of clients and friends as a type of traveling art exhibition. She also appeared on a Home and Garden Television (HGTV) show called "That's Clever!" where she showcased the steps to making a handbag with crocheted silver wire. Darke later returned to Wayne State University to complete a masters degree in Art Education for Art Therapy as well receiving a K-12 art education certificate. Darke now works as an art therapist as well as a professional artist and combines her passion for fine art and art therapy into her current work.