O. KELLEY ANDERSON

Raised in a historic house on Beacon Hill, Kelley Anderson is both an erudite embodiment of the best qualities of the Upper East Side, and a tenacious street fighter for its landmarks and historic districts.

Kelley began his professional life on Wall Street, but in the middle of a successful career, realized his true calling in the art world. For 25 years, Kelley was a director at the Coe Kerr Gallery, one of the premier dealers of American art. Founded in partnership with the collector Frederick Woolworth, the Coe Kerr Gallery exhibited such renowned artists as Andrew Wyeth, Mary Cassatt, John Singer Sargent, and Andy Warhol.

In 1989 Kelley founded The Art Show, the first art fair of its kind in New York City. Presented by the Art Dealers Association of America, the show drew more than 12,000 visitors, including top collectors, to the Park Avenue Armory, and raised thousands for the Henry Street Settlement. The Art Show continues to this day, setting the standards of excellence with museum-quality exhibitions.

As a member of FRIENDS Board for over two decades, serving as Treasurer since 1996, Kelley has contributed enormously to protecting this community’s historic character and quality of life. Kelley has also been a vital member of the leadership team of the Knickerbocker Club since 2003, including three years as its President, and has been a loyal supporter of the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, the Municipal Art Society, and the Central Park Conservancy.