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Frank McKelvey is one of Ireland's most historic painters with his work going back to the early 20th century. He may not be a household name but he is a part of our country's rich and captivating history. Beginning his painting career he attended Belfast College of Art for night classes as he work during the day. Eventually he would become fully enrolled in the college allowing him to take full advantage of what the college had to offer, and his own artistic skills. Mckelvey was lucky enough to have an extremely positive role model and mentor in the college named Alfred Rawlings Baker. He played a huge role in influencing Mckelvey and showing him what he could become if he worked hard.

Awards Mckelvey enjoyed a very successful life in Belfast College of Art in which he would earn and receive numerous accolades for his impressive work, he managed to successfully achieve an award nearly every single year he attended the college. The awards that Mckelvey won include The Board of Education First class certificate in Freehand drawing in Outline, he won this award in 1908, other awards he won were for drawing from the model and drawing from antiques, he won these respectively in 1911 and 1912. Mckelvey went on continuing his winning ways by being awarded with a commendation for drawing from life in the National Competitions, his drawing from life merited yet another award with the Sir Charles Brett Prize.

Exhibitions Mckelvey's first exhibition was at the Belfast's Art Society’s annual exhibition (1917) where he showed of many genre scenes and his street scene “squire hill” He went on to have exhibitions in the Royal Hibernian Academy in Dublin (1917), Ulster Arts Club (1919). Mckelvey soon became a member at both these places after exhibiting at them on multiple occasions.

Pieces of Work Mckelvey left behind many valuable artworks including “Family scene”, “Children in a park” and “Feeding Chickens in the Farmyard which is currently valued at €18,000-€22,000.

Mckelvey legacy was passed on to his two sons Francis and Robert. BelfastdrawingexhibitiongenreUlster