about me
Melissa Meverden is an educator and artist who is passionate about nurturing creativity and self-expression. She loves to share her enthusiasm for the process of making art with students of all ages. In her own art practice, Melissa draws inspiration from nature and uses lots of found and recycled items in her work. She loves to collect new treasures and create alongside her young daughters and feline studio assistant, Mister Kitty.
One of her dreams is to one day help run a Creative Reuse store, an arts and crafts-themed thrift store for makers and teachers. Melissa is also passionate about building creative community! She has served as the president of the North Charleston Artist Guild since 2022.
artist
As a kid, I loved arts and crafts, but identified as a creative writer rather than an artist. In my 30s, I took a calligraphy course, which sparked excitement for learning other new skills. I signed up for classes and workshops about watercolor painting, stamp carving, and gel printing.
It was so fun to be a student again and to play with no rules! I began to realize that making art brings me joy, challenges my perfectionism, and connects me to other creative people. Now cultivating creativity has become a central focus of my life, and I love to share that with others.
educator
I love leading arts workshops, and have experience teaching art with kids, teens, and adults.
Teaching is one of my passions and strengths. I am a certified, highly qualified teacher with over a decade of experience as a classroom teacher (middle and high school English) and instructional coach (providing personalized professional development to staff). My skills at organizing content, materials, and processes is a huge asset when teaching art. You can expect a high level of preparation and professionalism, as well as enthusiasm and empathy, from my instruction.
Please see my CV for additional details and don't hesitate to reach out with questions and opportunities!
You can often find me teaching workshops and classes here:
North Charleston Cultural Arts Department - North Charleston
The Paper Canopy - downtown Charleston stationery store
Public Works Art Center - Summerville
facilitator
There is no substitute for a vibrant creative community! I am interested in helping promote accessible, inclusive communities among the creatives of the Lowcountry. To that end, I have been serving as the president of the North Charleston Artist Guild since 2022.
If you are a local creative, please check out our site and follow us on social media. We'd love to have you be a part of our casual. inclusive group!
The guild is open to all who are interested in arts, crafts, and making in any form. We are proud to host a variety of talented artists from the Charleston area to share and collaborate.
Our community is designed to support and inspire each other in our creative endeavors. Our members work in a variety of mediums including painting, fiber, photography, mixed-media, glass, and more. We host regular events to showcase the work of our members and provide opportunities for networking and collaboration. Whether you're an established artist or just starting out, we invite you to join us and be a part of our vibrant community!
Website: https://www.northchsartguild.com/