Julie Kelly is a self-taught mixed media artist who creates one-of-a-kind 1:12 scale dioramas inspired by folk traditions, everyday life, literature, music, and the natural world. Born and raised in Astoria, New York, where she still lives with her husband, son, and three Pharaoh Hounds, Kelly spent more than thirty years working in the medical field before discovering her true artistic calling. She began making miniature dioramas in 2016 as a creative escape, and what started as a hobby soon grew into a passion. After retiring, she was finally able to devote herself fully to creating the tiny narrative worlds she had always imagined. Much of Kelly's inspiration comes from childhood memories of watching her mother transform their living room each Christmas into an elaborate village filled with miniature houses and figures. That early sense of wonder continues to shape her work today. Every diorama begins with a story, sparked by something she has read, observed in nature, heard in music, or simply experienced in everyday life. Working patiently by hand, Kelly gathers materials from many different sources, often repurposing and combining unexpected objects to bring each scene to life. Her work celebrates imagination, nostalgia, and the beauty of ordinary moments, inviting viewers to slow down and discover the stories hidden within each carefully crafted detail. Kelly is an active member of several New York City arts organizations and galleries. She continues to challenge herself by exploring new ways to tell stories through three-dimensional mixed media while remaining true to the handmade spirit at the heart of her work. Selected Exhibitions 2026 Brooklyn Waterfront Artists Coalition (BWAC) Between Two Waterfronts: A Brooklyn Landscape July 2 – August 2, 2026 Long Island City Artists (LIC-A) Echoes of Empire April 18 – May 1, 2026 Long Island City Artists (LIC-A) Secret Salon May 13 – 17, 2026 Culture Lab LIC Rooted April 2 – May 31, 2026 Two dioramas exhibited One diorama sold Greenpoint Gallery Group Exhibition April 2 – May 29, 2026 Five dioramas exhibited HMVC Gallery (Online) Fun in Progress February 1 – February 27, 2026 HMVC Gallery (Online) Influences 2 March 1 – March 31, 2026 Featured on the Times Square Jumbotron 2025 Brooklyn Waterfront Artists Coalition (BWAC) Elements of Movement July 19 – August 24, 2025 Five dioramas exhibited Two dioramas sold Brooklyn Waterfront Artists Coalition (BWAC) Resilience September 2025 Publications 2026 Here and Now Gallprium Art / Biafarin Artist Management (Canada) Artistonish Contemporary Art Magazine / Biafarin (Canada) Stillness Exhibizone / Biafarin (Canada) Life Forms: Plants, Animals, Humans Gallprium Art / Biafarin (Canada) Sculpturalist: The Best of Three-Dimensional Art Issue No. 001 Awards & Recognition Certificate of Artistic Achievement Luxembourg Art Prize, 2024 Certificate of Artistic Achievement Luxembourg Art Prize, 2025 Featured Artist HMVC Gallery Online Exhibitions Artwork displayed on the Times Square Jumbotron, 2026 Memberships & Community Engagement Long Island City Artists (LIC-A) Brooklyn Waterfront Artists Coalition (BWAC) Culture Lab LIC Greenpoint Gallery Astoria Art Center Community Artist