Say Hello to Kelli Woodell

Growing up, she was always drawing pictures of horses. Chip was her first horse. She began riding at six. Wasn’t sure she wanted to pursue a creative career. Something conventional made more sense. Then, she joined the yearbook staff her senior year in high school and got her first taste of design. She loved it!  From there, it was on to MTSU. Once she’d taken care of her undergrad requirements, she enrolled in the university’s design program. 

Kelli had found her passion. All things art...and yes, horses. She was dead set on getting her undergraduate degree. Wanted to impress her dad. She took 4 studio classes one semester. It was an ambitious undertaking, but Kelli was determined to pursue her BFA. A college drawing professor recognized her talent and ambition and encouraged her. 

As luck would have it, the marketing director at Blackberry Farm, a luxury hotel and resort in the Great Smoky Mountains, offered her an internship. This was an unexpected opportunity and the chance for her to create and design exclusive marketing materials for Blackberry Farm, Brewery, and Hotel. As Kelli puts it, Blackberry had the holy trinity—live music, a brewery, and horses.

Speaking of music, Kelli’s appreciation for the early country artists, like the Highway Men, led to her next job. She became a graphic designer and content specialist at the Birthplace of Country Music Museum in Bristol, Tennessee. There she took projects from concept to final production and led the Museum’s COVID-19 effort, designing special virtual exhibit booklets for their “Museum From Home” campaign.

But we can’t forget Kelli’s love of horses. She spent 14 years with Chip. Competed on the American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) circuit. Her favorite AQHA competition was the Trail Challenge. In Kelli’s words, “It’s a super meticulous obstacle course that takes crazy connection, concentration, and problem-solving skills.” All great attributes for a career in advertising and design.

What are some of her favorite things besides horses and design?  Concerts, illustration, her dog, and all things cowboy and cowgirl. She also likes neon signs, vintage hand-lettered signs, and letterpress—basically all things old, she says. Somehow Kelli found time to take up metalsmithing in college. Who knows? In another life, she might have been a spur and bit maker out West. We’re happy she stayed close to home. Kelli is a very talented addition to our creative team.