By Cameron Lee
October 21, 2026
A longtime fixture in Charlotte’s art scene, Kelly Keith has inspired an outpouring of support since being diagnosed with breast cancer earlier this summer, as friends, fellow artists and local music venues are coming together to help cover her medical expenses.
Keith’s artwork is recognizable to many in Charlotte’s music and arts community for its otherworldly, incandescent red glow and psychedelic sensibility. Her paintings can be found hanging at Snug Harbor and adorning album covers for local bands such as Paint Fumes and Hectagons, as well as a compilation released by indie label Powerstance Records and a split 12-inch EP featuring California stoner-rock bands Fatso Jetson and Yawning Man. Her commissioned pet, family and self-portraits, meanwhile, have found homes on walls throughout the region.
Drawing inspiration from her deep connection to music, Keith’s paintings reflect a range of influences, from ’60s pop/soul girl group the Ronettes and Carrboro rockabilly act Flat Duo Jets to new wave band the Cure and punk-rock pioneers MC5, the Ramones and the Melvins. Her artwork weaves sci-fi themes, luminescent colors, surreal imagery and fantastical elements into dreamlike compositions that have inspired many artists in the community.
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Earlier this month, Snug Harbor in Plaza Midwood, a venue Keith has frequented for years, hosted a fundraiser organized by general manager Chris Burns, who has known her for more than two decades. Burns said the community’s response has been overwhelming.
“She’s just a really bright and eclectic person… and somebody you want to have around, and I think that’s why the support for her has been so strong,” Burns said.
Burns reached out to Goodyear Arts, the artist-led nonprofit arts organization, leading up to the fundraiser at Snug Harbor, prompting several artists to donate work for a raffle or auction at the benefit, which helped raise $5,450. A Spotfund campaign organized by Keith’s close friend, local photographer Virginia Dunn, has also raised more than $23,655 and remains open for donations, with a new goal of $40,000 after the original goal was reached.
Keith was among the artists who participated in Goodyear Arts’ inaugural residency program at the Uptown tire center, which operated as a temporary creative hub from July 2015 through January 2016. She also collaborated with artist and musician Lee Herrera on an outdoor mural for the space’s closing event, Goodbye, Goodyear.
“One thing that was really cool about putting the benefit together for her [at Snug Harbor] is I didn’t realize how many other artists she inspired,” Burns said.
In a July post announcing her diagnosis, Keith revealed that she had invasive ductal carcinoma, a common form of breast cancer, and candidly shared her fears about the uncertain road ahead, as well as the importance of regular mammograms.
“I don’t know how I’m going to do this but I’m going to do whatever I have to do to survive it. If you haven’t gotten your mammograms don’t skip them. I did this past year and welp. I’m very scared and will be needing lots of support. Not sure what my life is going to look like here soon.”
On Friday night, another Plaza Midwood music venue, Petra’s, will host a Dolly Parton-themed benefit organized by co-owners Perry Fowler and Marta Suarez del Real, along with Keith’s friends Virginia Dunn and Raelynn Perry. Together, they’ve rallied local artists to perform and businesses to donate items for the event’s raffle and auction to help cover Keith’s living and medical expenses.
Fowler and Suarez del Real have known Keith for several years and admire both her artistic talent and her personality. When their dogs passed away, the couple commissioned paintings of each other’s pets as gifts.
“I really adore her and I admire her work,” Suarez del Real said. “I’d say she’s one of my favorite artists in Charlotte. So it breaks my heart.”
Titled A Diamond in a Rhinestone World: A Tribute to Dolly Parton, the fundraiser will feature a lineup of talented local singer-songwriters and musicians led by Jason Scavone with Ethan Ricks on electric guitar, Stacey Leazer on bass, Jonathan Erickson on drums and Matt Braniff on keys.
They’ll be joined on stage by a lineup of skilled local singer-songwriters, including Anna Kimm, Perrin Powell, Jordyn Zaino, Mary Grace McKusick, Marissa Loflin, Ashlyn Uribe, Gina Monafo, Marcie Hernandez, Tony Wain, Lindsey Horne and Kadey Ballard. Drag performer Ilene Dover will also make an appearance, while DJ Wylie Kill (Noah Killough) will curate the jams between sets.
Suarez del Real encourages attendees to embrace the theme by dressing in Dolly-inspired attire, and the event will also feature specialty mocktails inspired by the country music icon and Keith. Above all, they hope the fundraiser will bring the community together to support an artist who has made a significant impact on Charlotte’s creative scene as she navigates one of the most difficult periods of her life.
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A Diamond in a Rhinestone World: A Tribute to Dolly Parton takes place Friday, October 23 at 8 p.m. at Petra’s, with a $15 entry. You can also support by donating to Kelly Keith’s Spotfund campaign to help cover her medical expenses.
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