laughing Kelly with Henna Tattoo

Kelly Jo Petersen considered her wide circle of friends to be family and knew no strangers. She was a vivacious free spirit who took the long way home in order to enjoy the journey. More magical than snowflakes on stars, she will be greatly missed, but her spirit will be with us always.

 

Kelly was an important part of the development of the Arts District in downtown Winston-Salem. She was one of the cofounders of the Downtown Arts District Association in 1997 and was an active member of DADA for many years. She was an accomplished artist and created beautiful paintings and mixed media constructions over the years. She also designed and produced lamps for Wildwood Designs, then started her own company in 1998. Kelly Petersen Studios distributed lamps to retailers around the world, including design collections for National Geographic and a collection for Mount Vernon Historical Society based on the home of George Washington.

     

In 2003, her secret identity was revealed as Ruby Montana, one of the Renegade Ninja Cowgirls who became known for posting colorful signs of single words which they said were "positive propaganda" to "wage war against negative thought pollution." She received the Echo Award for the impact that Cowgirls had on our community and was recognized by Go Triad as one of twenty artists who shaped the arts scene. Most recently, she enjoyed the success of a downtown business named Patina, which she opened in 2004, located on 6th Street, between Cherry and Trade Streets.

     

Memorial gifts may be sent to The University of North Carolina School of the Arts, School of Design and Production to the Kelly Jo Petersen scholarship.