Mike Kelly

WARSAW — The gallery at rua is excited to announce their third major exhibit of 2018 featuring the vibrant paintings and pastels of local artist Mike Kelly. The new exhibition is titled Reaching an Interesting Place, and will be open in the Brennan Room of Warsaw’s unique downtown restaurant Rua from Tuesday, July 10, through Saturday, Sept. 8, with a public artist reception from 6 – 8 p.m. on Thursday evening, July 12. 

Kelly, a contemporary American landscape artist, currently from Winona Lake, paints in oil and pastel and has his work featured in several Midwest galleries. Kelly’s style borders on the edge of abstraction and representation, and each piece is “a journey of visual discovery where color is the primary focus and soul of the painting.” 

Kelly has been painting since 2004 when he left his career as an award-winning designer, creative director and partner of several leading branding firms in Chicago. Kelly says he felt it was time to “escape the tyranny of focus groups to pursue the goal of creating fine art.” 

His exhibit at the gallery at rua will feature selected oil paintings and pastels, plus the unveiling of several new pastel pieces. All works will be for sale.

Rua is located at 108 E. Market St.,Warsaw, and serves a unique menu of internationally inspired street food. They offer casual dining and a full bar, an outdoor sidewalk patio, a private event space in the Brennan Room and catering. 

The gallery at rua, offers shows on an ongoing basis, featuring various artists from Northern Indiana, the Midwest and beyond. 

Kelly will be present at the reception from 6 – 8 p.m. on Thursday, July 12.  Appetizers will be provided, and a cash bar will be available. ‘the gallery at rua’ is open to the public during regular Rua hours.

For more information, contact Scott Holladay at (574) 269-6466 or [email protected].