Hi, I’m Kelle!
I love creating colorful, engaging, community inspired, & thought-provoking designs within my art & mural work, allowing the space surrounding them, and the people viewing them to find something in common to connect with.
CLIENTS & PARTNERSHIPS
Kelle is a muralist, artist, and art director originally from New York, Pennsylvania, and San Francisco. She has traveled extensively, exploring cultures and landscapes around the world. Her experiences have taken her from delivering aid in Central America to exploring Bali, Japan, Iceland, Spain, and India.
She holds degrees in Sociology with a focus on Pop Culture from Penn State University and the University of California at Berkeley, as well as a degree in Design from the Art Institute of Pittsburgh. After finishing her degrees she moved to the rust belt wilds of Cleveland! With over 13 years of experience as a designer then art director at American Greetings, Kelle specialized in creative brand development, trends, and innovation.
During her corporate tenure, she led art-based brand initiatives, breaking sales records, attained 6 patons, and attracted & retained partnerships with top retailers like Target and Starbucks.
In 2019, she founded Kelle Schwab Studios, focusing on interior and exterior murals, moss walls, metallic walls, and interactive installations for restaurants, non-profits, and small businesses.
Inspired by her community, Kelle is co-founder of 'Artzilla’, a street art project, aiming to create neighborhood-specific murals that foster local pride and community connection.
AWARDS & NOMINATIONS
2023 Mural chosen from 150 applicants for #MuralsAcrossCleveland with Destination Cle & Grafitti HeArt.
2020 Finalist, Louie award (National Card Awards). Art Direction for Present Company card.
2016 Finalist, Louie Award. Conceptual development of justWink card.
2015 Won "Coolest Tech Company of the Year" Award. Creative support for justWink animated emojis created for Apple Watch.
American Greetings Chairman’s Awards (Highest company honors) –
2016 Nomination for the Product Ingenuity Category. Key developer of Starbucks Line.
2015 Finalist for the Creativity Category. Creative support of justWink for Apple Watch.
2014 Nomination for the Creativity Category.
2014 Nomination for the Innovation Category.
2013 Nominated for the Collaboration Category.
2011 Nominated for the Innovation Category. Key developer of justWink.
2010 Nominated for the Innovation Category. Creative support for Crane’s & Co.
2008 Winner of American Greeting’s Poster Design Contest.
ART SHOWS & EXHIBITIONS
2023 Art Box Project pop-up gallery, Art Basel, Miami FL
2023 “Green Light Tattoo & Art Grand Opening Show”, Green Light Tattoo & Art Gallery, Cleveland, OH
2021 Featured artist, Holiday Arts & Small Business Fest, Little Italy OH
2019 American Greetings “3rd Floor Gallery” Group show, Westlake OH
2018 "Under the Influence" group show, Bay Arts, Cleveland OH
2017, "Pop tales", Gallery Fata Morgana, Berlin Germany
2017, "Black Coffee", Saints Cafe, State College PA
2016, “All Stars” Character Design group show, Urban Spree/Pictoplasma Festival, Berlin Germany
2016, “Summer Solstice”, 78th Street Studios, Cleveland OH
2015 American Greetings “Media Studio” group show, Old Brooklyn OH
OFF WORK STUFF
When not working for clients she spends her free time creating fine art, traveling to off-the-beaten-path international spaces, amusing herself with strange animal facts, hiking, skiing, (anything outdoors), studying yoga & wellness but also whiskey, : ) trying to keep her plants alive, failing at norm core, collecting but never remembering dad jokes, pending cat lady, & is always on the look out for the perfect peanut butter & jelly sandwich.