About Kelle Schwab
Muralist • Painter • Creative Director
Kelle Schwab is a Cleveland-based artist creating bold, narrative-rich paintings and large-scale public murals. Her fine art explores empowered women and archetypes of rebellion—drawing from myth, history, and pop culture to explore themes transformation and resistance. Her murals are immersive and expressive, transforming walls into stories that speak to identity, place, and community.
Kelle’s paintings have been exhibited at venues including the Mansfield Art Center, where she received an Honorable Mention in 2025. Her mural work can be seen across Cleveland through projects with the Cleveland Guardians, Destination Cleveland, and multiple neighborhood revitalization efforts. With over 15 years of experience as a designer and art director at American Greetings, she brings a strong visual language and layered storytelling to every piece.
She is currently developing a collection of large-scale oil paintings that explore emotional duality, shadow work, and feminine power. Through both her fine art and public work, Kelle aims to create art that resonates deeply, invites reflection, and connects people across backgrounds and spaces.
CLIENTS & COLLABORATIONS
Kelle’s work has been commissioned by organizations ranging from national brands to neighborhood nonprofits.
Originally from New York, Pennsylvania, and San Francisco, Kelle has traveled extensively—from delivering aid in Central America to exploring Japan, Iceland, Bali, and beyond. These experiences shape her storytelling and connection-focused art practice.
She holds a BFA from Penn State University and a degree in Design from the Art Institute of Pittsburgh, with upper-level coursework completed at UC Berkeley. After graduating, she spent over a decade as a designer and art director at American Greetings, where she led high-profile creative projects—including visual storytelling and cross-team collaborations for clients such as Target and Starbucks.
Her work contributed to nationally recognized campaigns and innovation efforts, including six design patents and creative partnerships with major retailers.
In 2019, she founded Kelle Schwab Studios, producing public murals, interior installations, and fine art commissions. She is also co-founder of Artzilla, a street art project creating neighborhood-specific murals that center local identity and pride.
AWARDS & NOMINATIONS
2025 · Honorable Mention — Oil Painting, Mansfield Art Center Gallery, OH
2023 · Selected Muralist — #MuralsAcrossCleveland, chosen from 150 applicants (Destination Cleveland & Graffiti HeArt)
2020 · Louie Award Finalist — Art Direction, Present Company
2016 · Louie Award Finalist — Concept Development, justWink
2015 · Coolest Tech Company of the Year — Creative contributor, justWink animated emojis for Apple Watch
American Greetings Chairman’s Award Nominations (Highest Company Honors):
• 2016 — Product Ingenuity, Key developer of Starbucks line
• 2015 — Creativity Finalist, justWink for Apple Watch
• 2014 — Creativity Nominee
• 2014 — Innovation Nominee
• 2013 — Collaboration Nominee
• 2011 — 2x Innovation Nominee, for justWink and Crane’s & Co.
• 2011 — Winner, American Greetings Poster Design Contest
ART SHOWS & EXHIBITIONS
2025 · Honorable Mention, Oil Painting — 80th Annual May Show, Mansfield Art Center Gallery, Mansfield, OH
2024 · Oil Painting — Crow Fest, Mansfield Art Center Gallery, Mansfield, OH
2023 · Group Show — Art Box Project Pop-Up Gallery, Art Basel, Miami, FL
2023 · Group Show — Green Light Tattoo & Art Grand Opening, Green Light Tattoo & Art Gallery, Cleveland, OH
2021 · Featured Artist — Holiday Arts & Small Business Fest, Little Italy, OH
2019 · Group Show — “3rd Floor Gallery”, American Greetings, Westlake, OH
2018 · Group Show — “Under the Influence”, Bay Arts, Cleveland, OH
2017 · Group Show — “Pop Tales”, Gallery Fata Morgana, Berlin, Germany
2017 · Group Show — “Black Coffee”, Saints Café, State College, PA
2016 · Group Show — “All Stars: Character Design”, Urban Spree / Pictoplasma Festival, Berlin, Germany
2016 · Group Show — “Summer Solstice”, 78th Street Studios, Cleveland, OH
2015 · Group Show — “Media Studio”, American Greetings, Old Brooklyn, OH
OFF-WORK STUFF
When she’s not painting or up on a mural lift, Kelle’s probably hiking with her dog Talula, naming squirrels (Paulie Walnuts, obviously), or digging in the dirt talking to plants. She’s a foodie nerd who forgets what she ordered halfway through, collects dad jokes she can’t quite deliver, and studies sustainable gardening like it’s a spiritual philosophy. She travels to off-the-beaten-path places, amuses herself with strange animal facts, dabbles in sculpture, and balances yoga with just enough bourbon. She’s a someday-cat-lady, forever failing at normcore, and always chasing the perfect peanut butter & jelly sandwich—crunchy only, don’t @ her.