Special show at Museo
“Museo is welcoming the light of summer, health and healing, and the reopening our worlds, by presenting the work of two amazing artists: Jite Agbro and Melissa Koch.”
“Melissa Koch’s love of the natural world, its innate beauty and wisdom, and its ability to transform, has found diverse expressions in her engaging and colorful mixed media artworks.”
Current hours are Thursday – Monday 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
215 1st St, Langley, WA 98260
360.221.7737
Melissa Koch describes her art as the work of an “environmental activist.” She uses her artwork as a “vehicle for advocacy for protecting, defending and healing Mother Earth.” She is one of nine artists currently working out of the Blueschool Arts on So. Harding Road in Clinton.
Seven years ago, Karin Bolstad established the Blueschool Arts in Clinton, following through on a vision she had of bringing local artists together to share space and provide support to each other. Melissa Koch moved into the space and now shares it with different artists who each focus on their own media and art styles.
Before coming to live on Whidbey, Melissa lived in many places in the world and followed many artistic paths. She grew up on the island of Cyprus, where her mother had a professional ballet school. In 1974, the war in Cyprus led her mother to flee with a younger sister to London.
Melissa spent many years in London, studied architecture, became a professional architect and professor of Architecture at Oxford and an architectural associate in London. She continued to expand her interest in design and art. From her early days, she says, “I knew I always wanted to make art.” She adds, “I have a strong love for nature within me, and I wanted to raise awareness of nature through my art.”
She left London in 1990 and moved to Brussels, Belgium. While there, she established her own company, L’Esprit Du Lieu, (“The Spirit of Place”), and she slowly transitioned out of architecture and began building her skills as a visual artist. She lived in Brussels for seven years and did many art and design projects throughout Europe.
In 1997, Melissa moved to Seattle, to be with family living in the area. Then her business morphed in a new direction: building Haida Canoes with a business partner who was a Haida Master Canoe Carver. Melissa and her daughter were adopted into the Haida Tribe, Raven Clan. She remained in that business for 14 years.
She has done a considerable amount of public art in Seattle. She created a major public project in Yesler Terrance which focused on bringing out the voices of the community. She has had her imagery displayed on Capitol Hill. She believes it is vital to know our history: “Our paths weave together with those who came before us.”
She enjoys doing collaboration, and enjoys focusing her energies on doing online courses for refugees and immigrants.
A bit of serendipity led Melissa to Whidbey and this move allowed her to become more fully connected to the waves, winds, animals and all of the natural beauty of the island. This was a life-changer for her. She moved to Whidbey and began to focus her artwork on the natural environment and human connections to nature. She is using her artistic creativity as a way to raise awareness of the impact of humans on the natural world and our connection to the natural world. She has been greatly inspired by the First Nations way of life.
Her work is currently on display at Museo in Langley as well in Seattle at the Seattle Art Museum Gallery. For more information about her art you can visit her website on www.melissakochfinearts.com.
