Melissa Stephens Art

A big-hearted THANK YOU to all who came to my very first gallery show at The University Wine Company https://www.universitywineco.com/ in State College on Saturday, 10/7/23. When I started my painting journey in early 2021, I never would have dreamed that I would be hosting a solo show of my work 2 ½ years later. I also never would have dreamed that so many friends and family would come to support me and to see my paintings. Yet, at one point in the afternoon, I looked around and there were over 30 people happily mingling in the gallery space! There were friends of mine from college and friends from our old hometown; friends from our neighborhood here in State College and friends from Art’s work; friends from the OLLI Outdoor Art Group I belong to and friends from the garden volunteers I work with at the Arboretum. In addition to friends, there were family members who gathered in support as well: my sister and brother-in-law, my niece and her husband, and another niece. Thank you, again, to all of you! Special thanks also go to our son, TJ, and our daughter-in-law, Jennifer, who drove from Pittsburgh to be with us for the weekend. Their presence, their help, and their hugs were uplifting and steadying! Last, but absolutely not least, a huge thank you to Art, who did not bat an eye when I asked if I could schedule the gallery show on our 34^th wedding anniversary. Instead, he chose to spend the day doing what he has done for all these 34 years, support me. I’m not sure he understands this need I now have in my life to make art, but he knows it makes me happy and I know that’s enough.

My heart was as full as the gallery that day! It was a “pinch me” afternoon for sure and I will be forever honored and humbled by, as well as grateful for, the experience. Typically, for me, art is a solitary endeavor, just me, my art supplies and my Spotify playlists. What a pleasure it was to have an opportunity to share my work and to answer questions about my painting process. Hearing other people’s delight, especially in the little details they noticed collaged into the paint layers: words, music, and map pieces found within the blooms and the leaves and the vases, added to my own delight.

I would be remiss if I did not also thank two special friends of mine: Jeanne, who found this space and insisted I could and should do a show here. Her belief in me far exceeded my belief in myself. Thank you, Jeanne! And Dayna, who spent an entire afternoon helping me hang and display 25 paintings and whose design eye, feng shui skills, and style sensibility also far exceed my own. Thank you, Dayna, you took my paintings and you arranged them beautifully. I’ll be for forever grateful to both of you!