Kelley lives life in color! From a young age, she was naturally drawn to expressing herself through fashion. As a child, she was always spotted in eclectic, brightly colored clothing, accessorized with stylish glasses and hats! She was loud and out there being her own self early in life, and was fortunate to continue living life her way. She grew her love of self-expression by enrolling in a Fashion Design and Merchandising program at Southern Illinois University. Art history, textiles, drawing, and designing were her passions. As she graduated, worked, traveled, changed careers, moved, and grew her family, she discovered that life is meant to be lived in color. She realized that she had a creative calling that she needed to explore. She embraced more outlets for self-expression and became a visual artist.

She conquered graduate school, studying curriculum and instruction, and taught little artists in elementary school how to be bold! She taught them how to enjoy the art of mess-making, self-expression, and how to fight the urge to be perfect. She lives an authentic, non-traditional lifestyle with her husband and six-year-old son in Nashville, TN. Her family is a creative mix of musicians, actors, and artists, and they have been members of the Tenn Little Birds community for 3 years. Her magical spirit, artistic talent, and desire to encourage kids to be themselves led her to her new adventure at EAST Collective. Your child will want to be in Kelley’s classes and will learn so much more than art making. Her classes will be joyful, positive experiences for any level of artist. She holds an inclusive, safe space for all to express themselves through creativity. Welcome, Kelley Billiot, Art Program Director.