About Me

I am a Queens native passionate about and experienced in art education and community public art. I received my Bachelor of Arts with Highest Honors from Swarthmore College in 2023, in Peace and Conflict Studies, Spanish, and Art History. While in college, I worked as a Writing Associate Fellow, music venue director, and pursued grant-funded work in visual arts and nonprofit arts. Upon graduation, I returned to my college internship at Lubeznik Center for the Arts in Michigan City, IN to serve as the Education Coordinator and Public Art Liaison. I currently work in Queens as The Studio Assistant at Fountain House Studio.

Curriculum Work

Lubeznik Center for the Arts

2024

PK-12 arts curriculum centered on narrative art I designed through my role as Education Coordinator at Lubeznik Center for the Arts. This curriculum was implemented in after-school programming at area public schools. Click on each image to access a detailed lesson plan.

Aboriginal Dot Paintings

Faith Ringgold Story Quilts

Lascaux Cave Art

Venetian Masks

Illustrated Haikus

Jacob Lawrence Cityscapes

Native Hide Paintings

Shanshui-Inspired Homes

Murals, Tours, Workshops

Lubeznik Center for the Arts

2022-2025

Throughout my time at Lubeznik Center for the Arts, I helped facilitate 5 murals, coordinated and led various tours for youth groups, and created on-site community art-making experiences based on exhibitions.

  • KAPOW! '24 Exhibition Guided Tour

  • New Hope Missionary Baptist Church Mural '22

  • moniquemelochepresents... '22 Exhibition Community Art-Making Activity

  • Stitched, Woven, and Hooked '24 Exhibition Guided Tour

  • H.O.P.E. Center Mural '24

Personal Practice

2021-2025

In my personal artistic practice, I have worked in painting (oil and acrylic), mixed-media, video/claymation, and puppetry.

C L A R E, acrylic, chalk pastel, collected items on canvas, 2025. 3’ x 5’

Papa Tony’s Ring, oil on canvas paper, 2021. 11” x 14”.

Tucking In, claymation/video, 2022. 13 seconds.

How Can I Love You When I’m So Far Away?, acrylic, collected items, paint pens on canvas. 16” x 20”.

Baking Series (no. 4), graphite pencil on drawing paper, 2021. 11” x 14”

RUN CLARE RUN, acrylic, oil pastel, chalk pastel, paint marker, yarn, medal, hot glue on canvas, 2025. 16” x 20'“.

Goodnight Horsey, chalk and oil pastel on mixed media paper, 2025. 11” x14”.

Lady Justice Puppet, cardboard, paper-mache, fabric, acrylic paint, wire, 2021. 8’ x 3’.

Mom’s Boots (Closet Series), oil on canvas paper, 2021. 11” x 14”

NOT AGAIN, acrylic, oil pastel, paint marker, ribbons, beads on canvas, 2025. 11” x 21”.

Puppet Clare, chalk pastel, paint marker, and yarn on paper with tack hinges, dress on canvas with ribbon, 2025. 5.5’ x 14'“.

Grant-Funded Arts Work

  • During the Summer of 2021, I pursued grant-funded research and studio work in puppetry and peacemaking in the context of COVID-19. During this research period, I created 9 puppetry pieces and performances.

  • During Summer of 2022, I received grant funding for an internship at Lubeznik Center for the Arts in Michigan City, IN. As an intern, I worked to make the arts accessible, translating exhibitions into hands-on art-making experiences for a range of audiences. I also liaised on an LCA Mural Program project, the first of 5 I would come to work on.