MEET MELANIE

With nearly four decades immersed in the arts, I bring a deeply rooted passion and a practiced curatorial eye to everything I do. My journey has spanned roles as a gallery owner, museum professional, and practicing artist, each informing my thoughtful, people-centered approach to curation.

I am the former owner and curator of Salem on the Edge Fine Art Gallery, which I operated for more than four years. There, I curated dynamic exhibitions that highlighted contemporary voices and created an inclusive, community-focused space for art in downtown Salem, Oregon.

Prior to that, I spent 12 years at the Hallie Ford Museum of Art, serving as both Collections Assistant and Receptionist. This experience offered me a deep understanding of institutional practices, collection care, and visitor engagement within a museum context.

I hold a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Cornish College of the Arts in Seattle, Washington, and a Master of Fine Arts from the University of Idaho in Moscow, Idaho. These academic foundations continue to inform my curatorial work, blending formal rigor with intuitive, soul-driven storytelling.

For the past 39 years, I have been living and working in the arts as an artist, curator, and advocate. My practice is grounded in the belief that art has the power to touch lives, spark dialogue, and foster connection. That principle guides every exhibition I curate.