Carolyn Mary Kleefeld facts for kids

Carolyn Mary Kleefeld is an English-American writer, poet, and artist. She has written twenty-five books and created many paintings and drawings. Her artwork has been shown in galleries and museums in big cities like New York City, Chicago, and Los Angeles.

About Carolyn Mary Kleefeld

Her Early Life

Carolyn Mary Kleefeld was born in Catford, South London, England. She was the youngest daughter of Amelia and Mark Taper. Her family was Jewish. When she was four years old, her family moved to Long Beach, California. Later, they moved to Santa Monica, California. She went to the Westlake School for Girls. She also studied art and psychology at UCLA.

Her Career as an Artist and Writer

Carolyn Mary Kleefeld has written twenty-five books. She has also created many different paintings and drawings. Her art styles range from romantic pictures of people to abstract designs. Her artwork is shown all over the world in galleries, museums, and private collections.

Her Personal Life

Carolyn Mary Kleefeld lives in Big Sur, California. She is also known by her married name, Carolyn Campagna Kleefeld. In 2017, she married David Campagna. Sadly, he passed away three weeks later from a long-term illness. Before that, she was married to Tony Kleefeld.

Her Poetry and Books

Carolyn Mary Kleefeld's writings include poetry, stories, and art books. Her work has been translated into many languages. These include Korean, Japanese, Italian, Chinese, Arabic, Spanish, and Greek. This means people from many different countries can read her work.

Her Artwork Exhibitions

Carolyn Mary Kleefeld's art has been shown in many galleries and museums.

The Frederick R. Weisman Museum of Art at Pepperdine University in Malibu, California, had a special show of her paintings and drawings. They also published a book about the exhibit called Carolyn Mary Kleefeld: Visions from Big Sur.

Other places that have shown her art include:

• The Gallery at the Ventana Inn in Big Sur, California (2014)
• The Karpeles Manuscript Library Museum in Santa Barbara, California (2013)
• The Walter Lee Avery Gallery at the Seaside, California City Hall (2002)
• The Stowitts Museum & Library in Pacific Grove, California (2001)
• The National Arts Club in New York, New York (2001)

Her art is also part of the permanent collections in several museums. These include The Downey Museum of Art and The Frederick R. Weisman Art Museum. It is also at The Henry Miller Memorial Library in Big Sur.

Carolyn Campagna Kleefeld Contemporary Art Museum

In 2019, Carolyn Kleefeld gave $10 million to California State University, Long Beach (CSULB). This was the largest gift the school had ever received. Because of this generous donation, the University Art Museum was renamed the Carolyn Campagna Kleefeld Contemporary Art Museum.

A few months later, she donated 120 of her own artworks to the museum's permanent collection. The museum then went through a two-year expansion and renovation. It re-opened on February 12, 2022. It now holds 178 of Kleefeld's drawings and paintings.

The university also keeps Kleefeld's writings and other materials. Her gift also helps fund scholarships for art students. It supports a lecture series and a student intern program at the university.

Awards and Recognitions

Carolyn Mary Kleefeld has received several awards and honors for her work:

• She was nominated for The Pushcart Prize multiple times (2008, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014).
• She received the World Poetry Empowered Poet Award in Vancouver, Canada (2014).
• She won the Il Meleto Di Guido Gozanno Award for Poetry in Torino, Italy (2014).
• She won first place in a Short Story Contest by Monterey County Weekly (2006).
• She also won first place in an art competition called Light, Space & Time Art Competition (2001).