Kindred Voices: Kennedi Carter and Kaelin Keller in Conversation

The 2025 Students and Mentors Institute in Technical Art History (SMITAH), in collaboration with the HBCU Alliance of Museums and Galleries, is proud to announce its keynote event featuring artist and photographer Kennedi Carter in conversation with Kaelin Keller.

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Kennedi Carter (b. 1998, Charlottesville, Virginia) is an acclaimed artist and photographer based in the American South. Known for her intimate and nuanced portraiture, Carter has worked with leading publications and global brands, including British Vogue, GQ, Vanity Fair, The New Yorker, Essence, Google, and Apple. She has photographed prominent cultural figures such as Simone Biles and Beyoncé. In addition to her editorial work, Carter maintains a dedicated studio practice and is represented by Rose Gallery.

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Kaelin Keller, a graduate of Spelman College and Columbia University, has held roles with notable artists and institutions, including Derek Fordjour. She currently serves as Assistant Artist Liaison at David Kordansky Gallery in New York.

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The keynote program will begin with an overview of Carter’s creative work and trajectory, followed by a conversation between Carter and Keller centered on the role of materials and materiality in Carter’s practice.

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This event is part of SMITAH’s ongoing mission to foster dialogue around technical art history, conservation, and mentorship, with a special focus on collaboration and exchange among students and institutions committed to diversity in the arts.

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