statement
Driving through Miami can be a little scary as a passenger and has often led me to close my eyes at critical moments. The intense sun leaves a detailed “after-image” of what I saw right beforehand.
My After-image Series forewarns that the beauty of our world may someday only survive as an after-image – the image you see under your eyelids after staring at something bright – if we close our eyes at the most critical moment and do not act to protect it.
With my After-image Series and every piece of art I make, I aspire to encourage empathy for all living beings, so that Earth and all of her inhabitants are treated with respect. I hope to inspire more artists to do the same.
Bio
Previously an award-winning Creative Director in Chicago, Melanie Oliva uses her honed aesthetic and conceptual skills to advocate for Earth and her inhabitants – through collaborative paintings, activism and group art activations. While originally from Nashville, Melanie and her husband have also lived in Amsterdam, Chicago and now Miami. Melanie founded artist collectives Inspiration Pollination and The Artful Activist and co-organized a nationwide Artist March. She was a 2018-2019 Resident with ProjectArt and has also taught art with the Museum of Contemporary Art North Miami, the City of North Miami, Arts Warehouse, The Frank Gallery, Miami-Dade Public Libraries, Broward County Libraries and The Bass Museum. Melanie’s work has been featured in a solo exhibition at The Frank Gallery in Pembroke Pines, FL, in a group exhibition at TAG Gallery in Los Angeles and has also been accepted into HistoryMiami Museum’s archived collection. In 2023 she was awarded an Individual Artist Grant by the Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs.
solo exhibitions
2022
2/10-4/23: The Frank Aisles Gallery // The Frank Gallery, Pembroke Pines, FL.
2018
5/26: Tokitae Totem Pole Journey Miami, by the Lummi Nation // FIU Graham Center Ballroom, Miami, FL.
2016
6/1-6/30: Virginia Erdie Galleries // BluEggInteriors, North Miami, FL.
group exhibitions & actions
2023
8/19: Miami-Dade Public Libraries Climate of Art Exhibition // Westchester Regional Branch, Westchester, FL.
3/17-5/27: Birding: Obsession of Observation // Tenth Street Gallery, Sarasota, FL.
2022
12/9-12/30: Pine and Palm // Coral Springs Museum of Art, Coral Springs, FL.
12/3-12/30: Miami Girl Power: Small Works, Big Impact // ArtToSaveLives Contemporary, Miami, FL.
10/26-12/17: The Absent Referent, curated by Karen Fiorito // TAG Gallery, Los Angeles, CA.
9/6-11/14: Sunshine and Lollipops, curated by Carol Teti-Keesler // GALLERY One a Double Tree Suites Hotel by Hilton, Fort Lauderdale, FL.
9/2-10/29: Waves, curated by Grace Gdaniec // Arts Warehouse, Delray Beach, FL.
2020
12/4-12/31: Casselberry Art House Presents ‘Visions of Our Environment’, curated by Michelle Irizarry // virtual exhibition.
7/4: Oh Say Can You See: Critical Interpretations of the American flag, by Michele Pred // virtual action.
3/13-5/14: It’s a Woman’s World // YWCA Greater Cincinnati, Women’s Art Gallery, Cincinnati, OH.
3/31: The Art of Equal Pay, by Michele Pred // virtual action.
2019
12/6: Civil Discourse: Public Conversations and Art, by Michele Pred // Miami Beach, FL.
5/29-6/2: ProjectArt Presents: Currents // Museum of Contemporary Art, North Miami, FL.
3/23: MDC Art, Music & Food Festival, curated by Noor Blazekovic // Hialeah, FL.
1/4-1/25: Still They Persist: Protest Art of the 2017 Women’s Marches (traveling exhibit), curated by the FemFour // Pro Arts, Oakland, CA.
2018
11/3: 11th Annual Everglades Awareness Benefit, curated by Love the Everglades // digital exhibition at Fillmore, Miami Beach, FL.
9/8: Miami Rising: Rise for Climate Jobs & Justice Art Exhibit by Miami Climate Alliance // Bayfront Park, Miami, FL.
4/12-5/31: Awaken Florida, curated by JohnBob Carlos // FIU Stephen & Dorothea Green Library, Miami, FL.
1/20: Women Together for Freedom – March and Rally (banner exhibition on stage), by Collier Freedom // Cambier Park, Naples, FL.
1/22-3/16: Still They Persist: Protest Art of the 2017 Women’s Marches (traveling exhibit), curated by the FemFour // Salisbury University, Salisbury, MD.
2017
12/16-1/7: Still They Persist: Protest Art of the 2017 Women’s Marches (traveling exhibit), curated by the FemFour // KMAC Museum, Louisville, KY.
12/6: Parade Against Patriarchy by Michele Pred // Miami Beach, FL.
11/4: 10th Annual Everglades Awareness Benefit, curated by Love the Everglades // digital exhibition at Gramps, Miami, FL.
10/9-10/22: Still They Persist: Protest Art of the 2017 Women’s Marches (traveling exhibit), curated by the FemFour // Contemporary Arts Center, Cincinnati, OH.
8/11: The Standard's MOBILIZE! exhibition & silent auction to benefit the ACLU, curated by John Lin // The Standard Spa, Miami Beach, FL.
6:14: Artist March by Alessandra Mondolfi & Melanie Oliva // Miami, FL.
5/26: Unnatural Election: Artists Respond to the 2016 US Presidential Election, curated by Andrea Arroyo // virtual exhibition.
4/6-4/27: Featured alumni artist at FRA’s Art Showcase // Franklin Road Academy, Nashville, TN.
2016
9/18: 9th Annual Everglades Awareness Benefit, curated by Love the Everglades // digital exhibition at Gramps, Miami, FL.
2/13-2/15: St. Stephen’s Juried Art Show // Coconut Grove, FL.
1/12-3/20: One Hour of Birds participant, by Jenny Kendler (part of Animal Umwelt exhibition) // iMOCA, Indianapolis, IN.
2015
11/21-12/5: FOR EVERGLADES, curated by Jane Harris & Joan Futcher // HARRISART Gallery, Miami, FL.
9/18: 8th Annual Everglades Awareness Benefit, curated by Love the Everglades // digital exhibition at Gramps, Miami, FL.
other achievements
2023
Awarded Individual Artist Grant by Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs // Miami, FL.
2019
Juror for 1804 Forever Youth ArT kOnTeSt by Konscious Kontractors // Miami, FL.
2018
Organizer for Pollinator Parade by Bound by Beauty, Pesticide-Free Miami & Inspiration Pollination // Green Day, Miami Shores, FL.
ProjectArt Art & Social Practice Resident // Miami, FL.
Presenter of “Using Art to Uplift Your Cause” in Miami Rising Leadership Training, by 350 South Florida & Miami Climate Alliance // Coral Gables, FL.
Juried contestant in Miami Rising Live Art Competition for Climate, Jobs and Justice, by 350 South Florida // Naomi’s Garden, Miami, FL.
Panelist and exhibiting artist in Pop Ups for Change, by Kim and Roses, SPC and NextGen Florida // The Wynwood Yard, Miami, FL.
2017
Accepted to HistoryMiami Museum's archived collection
Co-organized nationwide Artist March // West Palm Beach, Fort Myers, Boston & Miami, FL.
2015
LOLA Woman of the Month, by Priscilla Woolworth
Biscayne Park Public Art Advisory Board Member
2014
Bronze Reggie Award, Best Age Specific Promo
Outstanding Achievement, Consumer Goods, Interactive Media Awards
2013
Gold Reggie Award, Best Age Specific Promo
Silver Reggie, Best Gameification
Catapult’s “Pinnacle Award” Winner
2012
Silver Medal, P2Pi’s Design of the Times
2009
Gold Medal, Product Specifications, BMA Tower Awards
Gold Medal, Special Promotions, BMA Tower Awards
Best of Division, Capabilities Brochure, BMA Pro-Comm Awards
Best of Division, Product Specifications, BMA Pro-Comm Awards
2007
Award of Excellence, Websites, BMA Pro-Comm Awards
Award of Excellence, Special Promotions, BMA Pro-Comm Awards
2006
Best of Division, Product Specifications, BMA Pro-Comm Awards
Silver Summit Award, Print Ad
Silver Addy, Product Specifications
Gold Medal, Capabilities Brochure, BMA Tower Awards
2005
STA Chicago Design Archive Inductee
Best of Division, Product Specifications, BMA Pro-Comm Awards
Silver Medal, Capabilities Brochure, BMA Tower Awards
Gold Medal, Websites, BMA Tower Awards
Best of Division, Capabilities Brochure, BMA Pro-Comm Awards
2004
Featured in American Corporate Identity/22, David E. Carter
2003
Featured in Colossal Design, Claire Warmke
2001
Group Exhibition by Local Artists, Chicago
National Logo Winner, Rotary International Centennial Logo
HOW 2001 Self Promotion Design Annual, Merit Winner
HOW 2001 International Design Annual, Merit Winner
Chicago Tribune Diary of a Start-up Logo Winner
Gold Medal, Capabilities Brochure, BMA Tower Awards
Best of Show, Capabilities Brochure, BMA Tower Awards
1999
Exhibitor in Miami University's VAC Juried Art Show
Experience
Museum of Contemporary North Miami, Miami, FL, 2019-2020 (COVID). 2021 (fall)-present. Summer Art Camp Instructor & Teen Art Force MOCA Educator.
City of North Miami, Miami, FL, 2019-2020 (COVID). Painting Instructor.
The Bass Museum, Miami, FL, 2019-2020. Teaching Artist for the S.T.E.A.M. Plus program for The Bass Museum at Treasure Island Elementary School.
ProjectArt, Miami, FL, 2018-2019. “Art & Social Practice” Resident at the Hispanic Branch Library. 2019-2020 (COVID). Substitute teacher for current Residents.
Artist & Freelance Creative Director, 2015-pres.
Artist & Founder of Inspiration Pollination & The Artful Activist, Miami, FL, 2015-present. Created two artist collectives and worldwide movements that uses art to affect positive change in environmental and social consciousness.
Biscayne Park Public Art Advisory Board Member, Miami, FL, 2015-2016.
Catapult Marketing (Epsilon), Chicago, IL, 2012-2014. Creative Director: Promotions and shopper marketing for Kraft’s Capri Sun, Crystal Light, MiO, Kool-Aid, Country Time and Tang.
Ryan Partnership (Epsilon), Chicago, IL, 2010-2012. Creative Director: 3/12-8/12. Promotions and shopper marketing for Wrigley’s Life Savers, Starburst, Skittles, Extra, Orbit and 5 Gum and Energizer’s Edge and Skintimate. Associate Creative Director: 4/10-3/12. Promotions and shopper marketing for GlaxoSmithKline’s TUMS, Breathe Right and Abreva; Energizer’s Edge and Skintimate; and Bel’s Mini Babybel, Boursin, Laughing Cow Wedges and Merkts.
s2 marketing, Chicago, IL, 2009-2010. Associate Creative Director.
Symmetri Marketing Group, Chicago, IL, 2004-2009. Associate Creative Director: 8/07-4/09. Senior Art Director, 7/04-8/07.
iParenting Media, Chicago, IL, 2003-2004. Design Manager.
designworks, Amsterdam, 2002-2003. Self-employed Graphic Designer and Artist.
Rotary International, Chicago, IL, 2001. Graphic Designer.
Baer Design Group, Chicago, IL, 1999-2001. Graphic Designer/Project Manager.
education
Miami University of Ohio, BFA, Graphic Design, May 1999