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John H. Jackson Community Center
About the Artwork
One of three paintings by Ronald Kelly commissioned by the City of Orlando for the Jackson Community Center, this 40” x 30” portrait depicts Mr. John Jackson who was Orlando’s first black Recreation Superintendent.
About the Artist
Ronald (Ron) Kelly
Ronald Kelly is a self-taught artist and an Orlando native. Kelly sees himself as a positive role model for African American youth stating, “They see drug pushers and criminals receive financial rewards. Id’ like to show them that with talent, tenacity and time, they too can achieve their dreams.” Kelly paints in acrylic with a bold, realistic style and uses his artistic talents to preserve African American heroes and such as Zora Neale Hurston, Bessie Smith and Josephine Baker. He is committed to show his work in public places because he feels it is vital for people, especially children, to know about their heritage and history. Kelly uses his artwork as a form of therapy in working with and inspiring at-risk children from low-income communities. He has exhibited in Orlando, Miami and Gainesville, where Mayor Rodney L. Long declared May 18, 1991 Ronald Kelly Day for his selfless contributions to the community.
Did you know?
Chinese monuments can be found on both the East and the West side of Lake Eola
Discover Art in Central Florida!
For those who have eyes to see, there are hundreds of works of art around them.
This web site provides some information on many of those works of art that can
be regularly viewed in Orange County by any member of the public without an
admission fee. They are outside in public view, or located in an interior area
that is normally open to the public.
Look around this web site and find something that interests you. Then go see it
in person. The information you find here will add to the pleasure of exploring
public art in Central Florida.
If, in your travels around Orange County, you come across some public art that
is not listed here, please let us know so we can add it. If you are aware of
additional information about art or artist that is included here, again, please
let us know. Together we can make this an incredible resource for people seeking
to spice up their life through exploring art.