Art gives our homes a sense of place — a serene view of nature, a bold burst of energy, a spark of curiosity. Before we say a word, it speaks on our behalf: “This is what I love. This is how I see the world.” At Gallery MAR, we’ve always believed that the artworks our collectors choose aren’t just beautiful — they’re deeply personal. That’s why we’re beginning this series: to explore the stories behind the collections. To ask, “Why this piece?” And to hear what happens when a work of art becomes part of a life.

We begin with the story of Kelsey Kelly, a Park City local, a mother, and a longtime admirer of Bridgette Meinhold’s ethereal landscapes. When Kelsey and her husband Craig discovered “Opt Inward” — days before Meinhold’s solo show even opened — they felt an immediate connection. But what makes their story unforgettable is what happened next: the painting arrived at their home just as their daughter Hazel was born. The first artwork they ever purchased became the quiet, golden witness to their family’s first moments — a symbol of new beginnings and the life unfolding within their walls.

For the Kellys, collecting art is more than an aesthetic pursuit. It’s a shared passion, a way of marking time, and a reflection of the natural beauty and Western spirit they hold dear. With pieces by Maura Allen, Ron Russon, and Pamela Murphy, their home tells a story as vivid and layered as any gallery wall — a story of milestones, memories, and meaning.

This is the beginning of that story. And just the beginning of many more to come.

 

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Gallery MAR: Please share with us about your favorite artwork(s) that you’ve collected from Gallery MAR. Where is it in your home, and what made you fall in love with it? 

Kelsey Kelly: “Opt Inward” by Bridgette Meinhold. It hangs in our dining room, which is visible from the entry and the kitchen, so we see it all day. Longtime admirers of all Bridgette’s work from afar, we saw this piece at Gallery MAR before Bridgette’s solo show even opened and fell in love with it immediately. Something about the yellow in the sky felt different and warmer than many of her other paintings, and the rustic wooden frame suited it perfectly.

 

Gallery MAR: Was there a specific moment, feeling, or memory that influenced your decision to bring that piece home? Sometimes art speaks to something we can’t quite explain—what did it say to you? 

Kelsey Kelly: This was the first piece of art we had ever purchased, ever! When asked to take it on approval to see it in our space, we said, “Sure, why not? Couldn’t hurt to just see.” I was 39+ weeks pregnant, but neither of us anticipated that when the day came to see it on our own wall, I would be in the hospital holding our first child, Hazel, already. My mom actually met Maren at our house and sent us pictures of “Opt Inward” on the wall. Seeing it hanging on our wall, even via photo, we knew it was perfect. We actually dropped off the final check to the gallery on our way home from the hospital with Hazel. So as much as we love the painting itself, it also represents the start of a new chapter for our family — walking in the door with Hazel in our arms to see the painting in person together.

 

Gallery MAR: How do you feel this artwork reflects who you are—or who your family is? Does it hint at your love of nature? Your sense of humor? A shared adventure? 

Kelsey Kelly: Craig and I share a love of landscape and nature art with a nod to the West. We have slowly collected pieces from Maura Allen, Ron Russon, and Pamela Murphy. We often use art to add the finishing flair to a room, as a way to tie together color schemes and add personality to our spaces.

 

“Each piece on our walls has a story. To us, these images tell the story of our life together as much as our family photo gallery wall.”

– Kelsey Kelly

 

Gallery MAR: Has living with the piece changed the way you see or experience art in your home? Do you find yourself noticing it in new ways over time? 

Kelsey Kelly: In the Kelly house, we still refer to this painting as the measuring stick against which all other Meinhold paintings are judged, as in “This new painting is stunning, but we love ours more.”

 

Gallery MAR: What does collecting art mean to you, personally? Is it about beauty, legacy, storytelling, connection, or something else entirely? 

Kelsey Kelly: Collecting art has become a shared experience for us, something we love to do together the way other people love fine dining or travel. Gallery MAR is pretty much always a stop on our Main Street (quarterly, if we’re lucky) date night, and we love to imagine where in our house we would put favorites. Each piece on our walls has a story — a 40th birthday gift, a work milestone, or a big move. To us, these images tell the story of our life together as much as our family photo gallery wall.

 

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We’re honored to be part of Kelsey’s story — and grateful to her for offering such a meaningful glimpse into her home and the moments that shape it. With each conversation, we’re invited to see through a new perspective — to witness how art reflects not only what we find beautiful, but how we see the world. We look forward to sharing more of these Gallery MAR Collector stories in the months ahead.

Tags: Art Collector, Bridgette Meinhold, encaustic painting, Gallery MAR Collector, Maura Allen, Meinhold Art, Pamela Murphy, Ron Russon, The Collector's Eye
Posted in Gallery News