Kelsey Montague Explained

Kelsey Montague (born 1985) is an American illustrator, interactive street artist, and founder of the #WhatLiftsYou social media project. She is best known for her large-scale, interactive street murals that often feature wings.^{[1] [2] [3]}

Biography

Born in Colorado, Montague has lived in Florence, where she studied art, London, New York City,^[4] and Los Angeles. She has studied art, design, and media (with combined studies) at Richmond, The American International University in London.^[5]

She founded the #WhatLiftsYou Campaign with a purpose of inspiring people around the world to become "living works of art" while considering what most inspires them in their lives.^{[6] [7]} Her work includes murals for Parkland shooting survivors and for the NFL, where she created a mural for the two final Super Bowl teams.

Montague has published two adult coloring books,^[8] and partnered with S'well and Starbucks to create a limited edition series of four bottles.^[9]

Murals

A list of the murals completed by Kelsey Montague:

• A Growing Meadow (2018)
• Super Bowl (2020) two pieces created at the request of the NFL to engage fans. Montague was the only female muralist commissioned.^[10]
• Universal Studios CityWalk, LA (2017)^[11]
• The Cleo, East Nashville (2018)^[12]
• Wroclaw, Poland (2017)^[13]
• (RED) Room (2017), featuring a rock and roll mural created by Montague for the (RED) Room designed by Johnathan Adler at Andaz West Hollywood. 30% of the sales from this room go to support the (RED) campaign.^[14]
• Wynwood Walls (2019) was created for a Wynwood Walls 10 year anniversary event for the class of 2019.
• Angels in America (2018) was created for the Broadway revival of Angels in America.^[15]
• United Airlines (2015, 2020), featuring a mural and video created for UA's charitable partner "Peruvian Hearts".^[16]
• Nordstrom and Pop Sugar, Palm Springs (2017), a series of balloons created on a movable wall for influencers to interact with at a Coachella Music Festival-inspired event.
• ME, Taylor Swift (2019), was created for the launch of Taylor Swift's single "Me!"^{[17] [18]}
• East Tennessee State University's (ETSU) is the fourth mural she has painted for a college and the first in the South^[19]

Publications

• Montague, Kelsey (2016). What Lifts You. Harlequin Adult Coloring Books,
• Montague, Kelsey (2016). What Lifts Your Heart. Harlequin Adult Coloring Books,

Notes and References

1. Web site: In all she does: positivity. . 2023-10-23 . East Tennessee State University . en.
2. Web site: 2024-06-12 . Artist Kelsey Montague unveils new mural in Corona . 2024-11-15 . Press Enterprise . en-US.
3. Web site: Hallenbeck . Brian . Street artist spreads ‘Wings’ at Foxwoods . 2024-11-15 . www.theday.com . en-US.
4. Web site: Perhaps a Pose with a Panda? Smithsonian American Art Museum . 2020-03-18 . americanart.si.edu . en-US.
5. Web site:
   1. WhatLiftsYou, a global street art phenom, lands in Dubai
   . fridaymagazine.ae. en. 2020-04-16.
6. Web site: What Lifts You: International Mural Artist Creates First-Ever Tactile Art Installation for Anchor Center - Anchor Center For Blind Children . 2024-11-01 . anchorcenter.org.
7. Web site: 2019-10-09 . How street artist Kelsey Montague found ‘courage and a voice’ in a male-dominated field . 2024-11-15 . MSNBC.com . en.
8. Web site: See the cover and a sample page from new coloring book 'What Lifts You?' — exclusive. EW.com. en. 2020-04-16.
9. Web site: Starbucks Just Released A Collection Of Limited Edition S'well Bottles. Harrison. Olivia. www.refinery29.com. en. 2020-04-16.
10. News: Treaster. Joseph B.. The Super Bowl Is the Biggest Art Show in Miami Right Now. 2020-01-29. The New York Times. 2020-03-18. en-US. 0362-4331.
11. Web site: Kelsey Montague Wing Mural Unveiled at Universal CityWalk. 2017-05-25. MUSE. en-US. 2020-03-18.
12. Web site: Nashville's 35 Best and Most Iconic Murals . 2024-11-15 . Nashville Go . en-US.
13. Web site: Leśnik . Maciej . 2017-10-15 . Najciekawsze murale poza centrum Wrocławia [ZDJĘCIA, MAPA] ]. 2024-11-15 . archiwum Wroclife.pl . pl-PL.
14. Web site: A First Look at Andaz West Hollywood's New Jonathan Adler–Designed (RED) Suite (Exclusive). The Hollywood Reporter. March 9, 2017 . en. 2020-03-18.
15. News: March 23, 2018 . There’s a brand-new mural of angel wings to pose with on Broadway . timeout.com.
16. Web site: Discover The Peruvian Hearts Mural In Cusco, Peru That's Inspiring Visitors From Around The World. Raven. Robin. Forbes. en. 2020-03-18.
17. Web site: The Artist Behind Taylor Swift's Butterfly Wings Has Murals Across the U.S.: Where to Find Them. PEOPLE.com. en. 2020-03-18.
18. News: April 26, 2019 . Taylor Swift Releases ‘Me!,’ a New Song Featuring Brendon Urie . The NY Times.
19. Web site: Kelsey Montague Mural at ETSU . 2024-11-15 . East Tennessee State University . en.