Gray Keller’s art is his life

It’s a sweltering afternoon in Lake Nona, Florida where philanthropist, art collector and author, Dr. Gray Keller lives. Every so often a colony of noisy gulls fly by interrupting our conversation. Keller tells me he’s not a great self-promoter when it comes to the books he’s written about philanthropic leadership, and he doesn’t like being the center of attention.  But when the conversation veers towards his contemporary art collection, Keller instantly becomes passionate and animated.

“I think there’s something very powerful about visual art,” he remarks.

“A great piece of artwork will automatically impact the viewer.”

Keller, who is 44 years old, and his wife Dixie, have been collecting art for more than 15 years- and the scope of pieces they have acquired is exceptionally diverse, from sculptures in bronze, aluminum, and steel to LED and video installations, to oil paintings, ink drawings, works in charcoal and oil wash, Keller notes he is interested in art that is not only creative and varied but also impactful.

“A great piece of art will comfort the afflicted and can simultaneously afflict the comfortable,” he often says.