Festival of Arts presents Festival of Life: A Patrick Kelly Retrospective, celebrating the life and achievements of Patrick Kelly (1937–2024).

The exhibit showcases a selection of his works and highlights his contributions to the Festival of Arts and Laguna Beach arts community. Located at the foaSouth Gallery, inside Active Culture at 1006 S Coast Hwy, Laguna Beach, CA 92651, the exhibition is open now through April 7, 2025.

The exhibition celebrates the remarkable journey of Patrick Kelly, a longtime Festival exhibitor, cherished friend, and key figure in Laguna Beach’s arts community. Kelly was instrumental in establishing the Festival’s Permanent Art Collection, ensuring the documentation of local artistic movements and preserving the Festival’s history. Featuring a curated selection of Kelly’s paintings, personal stories, and significant contributions, “Festival of Life,” provides visitors with an intimate look at the legacy of an artist who helped shape the Festival and the broader artistic landscape of Laguna Beach.

Born in Paddington, London, England, Patrick Kelly (1937–2024) pursued fine art and industrial design at the Hammersmith School of Art before immigrating to North America. After settling in Laguna Beach in the late 1960s, he immersed himself in the Festival of Arts community, exhibiting for an impressive 42 years, beginning in 1961. Beyond his artistic contributions, Kelly served as a board member, curator, and membership director, playing a vital role in shaping the Festival’s legacy. Kelly’s work gained international acclaim and is collected worldwide. His vibrant and diverse body of work ranged from abstract to classical themes, capturing the beauty of life through his unique lens. Known for his adventurous spirit, infectious laugh, and kind-hearted nature, Kelly remains a beloved figure in Laguna Beach’s rich artistic history.

This retrospective features Kelly’s artwork from the Festival’s Permanent Art Collection including Monolith (1990), a mixed media piece that was purchased by the Festival in 1990, and an acrylic painting titled Tramway Road, Palm Springs (2012), recently acquired in 2024. Additional works from the Patrick Kelly Estate have been carefully curated with the help of Sandra Jones Campbell, local artist and the executor of Patrick Kelly’s estate on behalf of his nephew, Steven Kelly, based in London, England. Several works in the show are available for purchase by contacting Campbell directly.

“Festival of Life: A Patrick Kelly Retrospective” is on display at foaSouth, located at 1006 S. Coast Hwy., Laguna Beach, CA 92651. This exhibit is part of the Festival of Arts’ ongoing series of shows held at this location year-round. The gallery is open to the public daily 8am - 9pm. Admission is free. The Festival of Arts is a non-profit organization whose proceeds support the arts in and about Laguna Beach. For more information call (949) 494-1145 or go to www.LagunaFestivalofArts.org.