We had the good fortune of connecting with Kelly Lucarelli and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kelly, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
My thought process behind starting my own business was inspired by the amazing local art galleries I’ve visited with my husband over the years during our travels to other towns near and far. I realized how our own town was in need of more places to support local art, and I was fortunate to have my family’s support as I dove into this new journey. I had several goals in mind when opening Luca Studio & Gallery in September of 2023. Providing a place for area artists to showcase their works, teaching art workshops and lessons, and working as a full-time artist are included in those goals. I am truly hoping to make a strong connection between artists and our local community.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I’m extremely excited to have the opportunity to work as a full-time artist for the first time in my life. Painting and drawing were two things I immensely enjoyed but put on the back burner during my 15+ year career in graphic design. Later, during my time as a high school art educator, I primarily created during summers when time permitted. Ironically, I do find less time to create than I thought I would due to the daily demands of managing the studio and gallery. But, I LOVE being surrounded by works of local artists, and I do have a lot more time to create than I did before.

While my works used to be mostly expressive portraits, my focus has shifted the past few years to landscapes, which I honestly never really spent much time painting. In my recent works, I have been inspired to convey the moments of serenity and awe experienced in nature. My artistic processes continue to shift between impressionistic, detailed works which focus on color and light and abstract expressive works which convey emotion through repetition, line, and color theory. Design often shows up in my artworks to showcase power or movement, including my recent landscape titled, “A Walk Along Marginal Way”, where I deconstructed the rock into basic shapes and lines as they moved forward into the composition.

Graphic design and art education are unique and significant creative experiences I have that fuel Luca Studio & Gallery. The skills I gained through those professions have carried through to my business plan including design, marketing, mentoring, and teaching art workshops. I’m thrilled to work with area teens and adults to teach them new techniques, ideas, and learn from them as well!

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Fort Mill has some wonderful places to visit, hang out, experience and eat – I love it here! Of course, I’ll start my recommendations with art. If you want to take an art workshop, Olive’s Mud Puddle on Main Street offers lots of wonderful pottery classes. Artist and owner, Debbie Whitsett, is super-talented as a potter and painter, and she is highly involved in our local community. Olive’s Mud Puddle not only has an amazing studio in the back, it boasts lots of beautiful local art in the front of the space AND it’s a coffee shop! It’s a comforting place to hang out to enjoy coffee, jazz, and open mic nights as well.

Venture just a block off of Main Street to Luca Studio & Gallery on Academy Street in downtown Fort Mill! Our gallery showcases works by a variety of local artists including paintings, drawings, photography, handmade jewelry, pottery, stationary, and more, which also make perfect gifts. We also offer painting and drawing small group workshops for teens and adults. Currently, we have a community painting in-progress which our visitors of all ages and skill levels can add their own creativity to. The awesome thing is that Olive’s and Luca are only a 5 minute walk from one another!

You can also find artworks and workshops at nearby LOOM as well as local artworks showcased at Humble Cup Coffee Co. Check out The Floral Studio, Insley Photography, Buy the Bunch, or Ann’s Photography if you are in the downtown area looking for even more creativity. Catch a theatre production at Fort Mill Community Playhouse and then head to dinner.

Definitely check to see if there is a Main Street Jam happening with live music, vendors, food trucks, and access to downtown businesses. During these free family-friendly events, Main Street is closed to cars and open to pedestrians only. You can grab a juicy burger at Hobo’s, tender BBQ at Improper Pig, amazing sushi at Whitaker’s, delicious pizza at Center Theatre Pi, or unique selections at FM Eatery during Main Street Jam or any other day you are exploring downtown Fort Mill. Just around the corner, enjoy Poppyseed Kitchen or Z Bakery for a lovely brunch and some yummy baked goods!

While in the downtown area, make sure to visit the local breweries or wine bar such as Amor Artis, The Print Shop, Untamed Waters, and Illumination Wines (one of my personal faves). You may catch some live music or trivia as well!

Wanna learn a little history about the town? Stop by the Fort Mill History Museum. They also do walking tours and host events – make sure to check their calendar. Step back in time for a trim at Fort Mill Barber Shop – this place is a local fave!

If you love spending time outside, spend the day at Walter Elijah Park (and a chicken sandwich from Bossy Beulah’s across the street) or Anne Springs Close Greenway. Both of these places host live music and are family-friendly. The greenway has lots of wonderful hiking and biking trails, horses, and other outdoor activities. Both places are great for letting kids run and play.

One of my favorite places to have a little fun whether on a date with my husband or hanging with friends is Craft Axe Throwing, which is located on Academy Street in downtown Fort Mill (Luca Studio & Gallery’s neighbor). The atmosphere is laid back with lots of games and activities available for hanging out, in addition to axe throwing. This is the perfect place to enjoy a little competition and try something new.

Interested in a day of shopping? It’s easy to spend the afternoon strolling into the unique shops in and around downtown Fort Mill. You’ll want to check out Vestique, Moxie Mercantile, Olive’s Mud Puddle, Crossings on Main, R. Hanauer Fine Accessories, Puckerbutt Pepper Company, 22Five, Sweet Treats Candy and Confections, Luca Studio & Gallery, Crown Town Froze, State Line Gear, and The Market. Whether you are looking for a unique gift or something for yourself, you’ll enjoy all these local shops have to offer!

There loads more amazing places to check out in Fort Mill – I mostly focused on the downtown area, because that’s where I spend most of my time! Definitely check out Grapevine, The Fish Market, Spice, Replay Brewing, and other spots and events in Baxter, Kingsley, and more. It’s worth a visit to Fort Mill!!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I’d like to dedicate this shoutout to my husband, Matt Lucarelli, who has always encouraged my big ideas and creative journeys. I’m ever-grateful for his support, thoughtfulness, and endless hours of brainstorming sessions.

Additionally, I have to give a HUGE shoutout to Tryon, NC Artist, Chuck Mattern. I met him a few years ago when I discovered 80SIX Gallery, which he owns. The gallery showcases works by a variety of artists and he also uses the space as a working artist studio. Chuck was incredibly welcoming, and I visited several more times with friends and family over the years. Each time, we had wonderful discussions about art, my aspirations for opening a similar gallery in my own town, and teaching. Chuck’s encouragement is one of the major reasons that I had the courage to go for it – and, I’m so grateful!

Finally, to my wonderful friends, fellow artists, and local businesses who have rallied behind me throughout this entire process – THANK YOU. I truly appreciate you participating, helping, and supporting local art in our community.

Website: https://lucastudioandgallery.com

Instagram: @lucastudiogallery

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/luca-studio-gallery

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lucastudiogallery/

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutSouthCarolina is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.