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Biography

Melissa Schappell was raised in the suburbs of Philadelphia and attended Kutztown University of Pennsylvania where she received a Bachelor of Fine Art with a concentration in Drawing and a Bachelor of Science Art Education.  Drawing as a concentration gave her flexibility to work with a variety of media and formats, which suited her natural inclination to work with wet and dry media in non-traditional ways.  She  received her Master of Fine Art Degree from Radford University where she built the foundation for her current work that explores the spaces between art, psychology, and the semiotics of metaphor, storytelling, and symbolism. 

 

Her work is part of various prominent collections including RU Art Museum at the Covington Center, and has been shown at a variety of established academic institutions, museums, and fine art galleries, including the Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art.  She has also been awarded in a variety of juried exhibitions and fine art festivals, including  Best of Show's,  Virginia's Finest,  Top Artist Under 40 and Judges Choice awards.

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            Curriculum Vitae
 
Education

Kutztown University                                                                                                                                                          

Kutztown, PA                                                                                                                                                                   

College of Visual and Performing Arts                                                                                                                                    Bachelor of Fine Arts: Drawing Concentration      

B.S. in Art Education                                                                                                                                       

Magna Cum Laude

2012

 

Radford University

Radford,VA                                                                                                                                                                                     College of Visual and Performing Arts

Master of Fine Art: Studio Art

2020

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Experience

Current-2022             Norfolk, VA 

Adjunct Visual Arts Professor, Tidewater Community College

  • Currently teaching Drawing, 2-Dimensional Design and Art Appreciation Courses

 

Current-2012             Virginia Beach, VA         

Visual Arts Faculty, Visual and Performing Arts Academy, Salem High School 

  • Currently teaching advanced academy art students Art History and Production, Painting and Mixed Media, Ceramics and Sculpture, and Senior Synthesis.  Previous courses taught also include Visual Thinking Through Art Media, Product Design, Architecture, Animation, and Global Perspectives.

  • Additional responsibilities include: Visual Art Department PLC Lead, Job Shadowing Coordination, Community Collaboration Project Coordination, Independent Masterclass and Visiting Artist Facilitation, and budget and supply ordering.

 

Current-2017         Glen Allen, VA

Business Owner, Melissa Schappell Art llc

 

2020- 2019                 Radford, VA

Professor of Record, Radford University, College of Visual and Performing Arts 

  • Taught Art 100: Art Appreciation Courses

 

2018-2017          Richmond, VA

Workshop Instructor, Virginia Museum of Fine Art Studio School

  • Taught 1-2 day art workshop intensives for adult ages 

                    Courtland, VA

Workshop Instructor, Rawls Museum Arts Education Outreach Program, Rawls Museum Arts  

  • Taught full day art courses once a week for ages 14-18 

2012-2011           Chester Springs, PA

Visual Arts Faculty, ESF Summer Camps      

  • Taught 5 art classes per day for ages 3-8 

 

Awards and Honors

2025

  • Top 5 Finalist 2027 Citywide Teacher of the Year Virginia Beach Public City Schools

2024

  • Top Artist Under 40: Boardwalk Art Show, Sponsored by Virginia MOCA, Virginia Beach, Va 

  • Outstanding Educator, National Scholastic Art and Writing Awards Competition 

2023

  • Judges Choice: Boardwalk Art Show, Sponsored by Virginia MOCA, Virginia Beach, Va

  • Award of Merit, An Occasion for the Arts, Williamsburg, Va

  • 2nd Place, Teaching Artist Exhibition, Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art, Virginia Beach, Va 

2022

  • Top Artist Under 40: Boardwalk Art Show, Sponsored by Virginia MOCA, Virginia Beach, Va 

  • Award of Merit, Teaching Artist Exhibition, Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art, Virginia Beach, Va 

  • Outstanding Educator, National Scholastic Art and Writing Awards Competition      

2021

  • Best In Show: Boardwalk Art Show, Sponsored by Virginia MOCA, Virginia Beach, Va 

  • Award of Distinction, An Occasion for the Arts, Williamsburg, Va

  • Outstanding Educator, National Scholastic Art and Writing Awards Competition      

2020

  • Best In Show: Purchase Prize Award, Radford University Art Museum Juried Student Art Exhibition, Radford, Va 

  • Outstanding Educator, National Scholastic Art and Writing Awards Competition      

2019

  • Graduate Teaching Fellowship, MFA Graduate Program, Radford University, Radford, Va 

  • 2nd Place: Virginia’s Finest Award, Boardwalk Art Show, Sponsored by Virginia MOCA, Virginia Beach, Va 

  • Mixed Media Award of Merit, Sidewalk Art Show, Sponsored by Taubman Museum of Art, Roanoke, Va 

  • Award of Merit, An Occasion for the Arts, Williamsburg, Va

  • Top Graduate Award of Excellence, Radford University Art Museum Juried Student Art Exhibition, Radford, Va  

2018

  • Graduate Assistantship, MFA Graduate Program, Radford University, Radford, Va 

  • 3rd Place, 2018 Stockley Gardens Fall Arts Festival, Juried Fine Art Festival, Norfolk, Va          

2017

  • Award of Excellence: “Nine,” Virginia Artists Juried Exhibition, Charles H. Taylor Visual Art Center, Hampton, Va 

2016              

  • Best In Show: “Path,” The Eclectic, National Open Media Juried Exhibition, D'Art Center, Norfolk, Va         

  • Award of Merit: “Spoken Four” and “Taught Four”, 2016 Rawls Museum Arts Juried Exhibition,  Rawls Museum Arts, Courtland, Va         

2015 and Earlier:

  • Award of Merit: “Control Issues Diptych,” HAL Open Member Juried Exhibition, Charles H. Taylor Visual Art Center, Hampton, Va                                          

  • Awarded by the Superintendent of Virginia Beach for Efficiency and Effectiveness                                                              

  • Recognition for superior dedication to the field of education from Summer Residential Governor’s School for Humanities and Visual and Performing Arts                                                             

 

Exhibitions

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​Solo Exhibitions

2025

  • Solo Exhibition, HUMAN NATURE, Sandler Center for Performing Arts, Virginia Beach, Va 

2020

  • Solo Exhibition, UNEXPECTED, Richard Stravitz Sculpture and Fine Art Gallery, Virginia Beach, Va 

2018

  • Solo Exhibition, ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS, Community Gallery, Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art, Virginia Beach, Va 

  • Solo Exhibition, Radford University Art Museum Muse Hall Satellite Gallery, Radford University, Radford, Va 

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Small Group and Invitational Exhibitions

2025:

  • The Mind’s Eye, Perrel Gallery, Norfolk Academy, Norfolk, Va

2024:

  • 51st Annual Tidewater Community College Faculty Exhibition, Visual Art and Design Center, Norfolk, Va

2023:

  • Collector’s Edition, Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art, Virginia Beach, Va

  • Teaching Artist Exhibition, Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art, Virginia Beach, Va 

2022:

  • Teaching Artist Exhibition, Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art, Virginia Beach, Va 

2020:

  • Spring MFA Show, Radford University, Radford, Va 

  • New Voices, Invitational Exhibition, Hayloft Gallery, Floyd Center for the Arts, Floyd, Va 

2019:

  • That’s Funny: Art with a Sense of Humor, Invitational Exhibition, Charles H. Taylor Art Center, Hampton, Va 

  • Studio 702, Invitational Exhibition, Miller Off Main Street Gallery, Blacksburg, Va 

  • Studio Perspectives, Invitational Exhibition, Floyd Center for the Arts, Floyd, Va 

  • GASA Member Group Exhibition, Andrew W. Ross Student Art Gallery, Radford University, Va 

  • GASA Member Exhibition, Porterfield Gallery, Radford University, Radford, Virginia, 

2018:

  • VMFA Studio School Faculty Exhibition, Studio School Gallery, Richmond, Va 

2017:

  • Celebration of Female Artists Invitational Exhibition, Linda Matney Gallery, Williamsburg, Va 

  • Getting Our Neon, d’Art Center Members Invitational Exhibition, d’Art Center, Norfolk, Va 

  • StoryExchange Invitational Event, Museum of Contemporary Art, Virginia Beach, Va   

  • The Main Event, Invitational Exhibition, The Main Norfolk Hilton Hotel, Norfolk, Va 

2016- 2013: 

  • Teaching Artist Exhibition, Museum of Contemporary Art, Virginia Beach, Va 

2012-2010:

  • Kutztown University Fine Arts Senior Exhibition, The Marlin and Regina Miller Gallery, Kutztown, Pa

  • Kutztown University Art Education Senior Exhibition, The Marlin and Regina Miller Gallery, Kutztown, Pa

Juried Exhibitions

2024:

  • Made in VA Biennial, Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art, Virginia Beach, Va

2020: 

  • National Juried Exhibition, Academy Center of the Arts, Lynchburg, Va 

  • Radford University Art Museum Juried Student Art Exhibition, Tyler Gallery, Radford, Va 

2019:

  • Virginia Artists Juried Exhibition, Charles H. Taylor Art Center, Hampton, Va 

  • Radford City Fine Arts Show, Juried Exhibition, Radford University Art Museum on Tyler, Radford, Va 

  • Radford University Art Museum Juried Student Art Exhibition, Tyler Gallery, Radford, Va 

  • Olin Hall Biennial Juried Exhibition, Olin Hall Galleries, Roanoke College, Salem, Va 

2018:

  • MFA Student Juried Exhibition, Online Exhibition, University of Montana 

  • Hampton Arts League Open Members Juried Exhibition, Charles H. Taylor Gallery, Hampton, Va  

2017: 

  • Virginia Artists Juried Exhibition, Charles H. Taylor Art Center, Hampton, Va 

  • Text and Image, International Juried Exhibition, Site: Brooklyn Gallery, Brooklyn, NY

  • VMRC National Juried Art Exhibition, Park Gables Gallery, Harrisonburg, Va 

  • Halls of Art National Juried Exhibition, Hampton Roads Convention Center, Hampton, Va 

  • Hampton Arts League Open Members Juried Exhibition, Charles H. Taylor Art Center, Hampton, Va 

  • Facing Your Fears, National Juried Exhibition, The d’Art Center, Norfolk, Va 

2016:

  • The Eclectic, National Open Media Juried Exhibition, The d’Art Center, Norfolk, Va 

  • Emerging IV, Rawls Museum Arts National Juried Exhibition, Rawls Museum Arts, Courtland, Va 

  • The Artist Studio Invitational Juried Exhibition, Charles H. Taylor Art Center, Hampton, Va 

  • National Juried Exhibition, Academy Center of the Arts, Lynchburg, Va 

  • Hampton Arts League Open Members Juried Exhibition, Charles H. Taylor Arts Center, Hampton, Va 

2015 and Earlier:   

  • Mid-Atlantic New Painting 2016 National Juried Exhibition, Ridderhof-Martin Gallery, University of Mary Washington, Fredericksburg, Va 

  • Narcissus…The Ultimate Selfie, Goode Theatre, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, Va 

 

Juried Fine Art Festivals 

2017-Current:

  • Boardwalk Art Show, Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art, Virginia Beach, Va 

  • Stockley Gardens, Norfolk, Va 

  • An Occasion for the Arts, Williamsburg, Va 

  • Richmond Arts in the Park, Richmond, Va 

  • Arts in the Middle, Urbanna, Va 

  • Sidewalk Art Show, Taubman Museum of Art, Roanoke, Va 

  • Crozet Arts & Crafts Festival, Crozet, Va 

  • Spring Crafted Indie Arts Market, Norfolk, Va 

  • Women Who Create, Virginia Beach, Va 

 

Publications

2025:

2024:

2023:

2018:

2017

  • 1340Art Magazine, July Issue

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Professional Presentations, Lectures, and Workshops

2025:

  • Professional Development Workshop Presenter, 2025 Essential Learning Session for VBCPS Visual Arts, “Sketchbooks: More than Just Drawing”, Virginia Beach Va 

  • Monster Drawing Rally Fundraiser Featured Artist, Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art, Virginia Beach, Virginia

2024

  • Presenter/Lecturer, Artist Panel Discussion, Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art, Boardwalk Art Show, PNC Bank VIP Party Virginia Beach, Va 

2023:

  • Presenter/Lecturer, Artist Talk, Radford University Art Department, Educational Series, Radford, Va 

  • Presenter/Lecturer, Artist Talk, Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art, Boardwalk Art Show, PNC Bank VIP Party Virginia Beach, Va 

  • Presenter/Lecturer, Artist Talk, Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art, Staff Educational Series Virginia Beach, Va 

2021: 

  • Tidewater Virginia Art Education Association Summer Workshop Attendee

2020-2017:

  • Instructor, Visual Art Masterclasses, Salem High School Visual and Performing Art Academy, Virginia Beach, Va 

  • Mixed Media and Career Masterclasses, Henrico High School Center for the Arts, Henrico, Va 

2019: 

  • Instructor, “Mixed Media and Collage Workshop,” Class Size 17, Olin Hall Galleries, Salem, Va 

2018-2017:

  • Mixed Media Masterclass, Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art, Virginia Beach, Va    

  • Collage Workshop for Bookmakers, Virginia Center for the Book, Charlottesville, Va     

  • Mixed Media and Collage Workshops, Virginia Museum of Fine Art, Richmond, Va 

2013-2012:

  • Presenter at Pennsylvania Art Education Association Conference, Pa

        

Artist Residencies and Gallery Representation 

2020-Current

  • Richard Stravitz Sculpture and Fine Art Gallery, Virginia Beach, Va 

2017

  • ACYC Sunny Point Artist Residency, Yates County, New York

  • Associate Artist, D’ART Center, Norfolk, Va                 

Professional Organizations and Public Arts Project Collaborations

  • Friends of the Academy (501c3) Faculty Liaison 

  • Virginia Beach Parks and Recreation, Bee City, USA, & City of Virginia Beach PAC

  • Virginia Art Education Association (VAEA)                           

  • National Art Educators Associations (NAEA)

 

Special Skills and Technical Abilities 

2-d: Drawing, Painting, Collage and 2d Mixed Media, and Printmaking

  • Drawing: Graphite, Charcoal, Pen and Ink, Colored Pencil, Water Soluble/Washes

  • Painting: Watercolor, Gouache, Acrylic, Encaustic, and Oils

  • Printmaking: Silkscreen, Linoleum and Woodblock Printing, Gelli Printing, Chine Colle

  • Mixed Media and Assemblage: Papercut, Collage, Assemblage

  • Custom Canvas Making: wood cradled and traditional canvas 

 

3-d: Woodworking, Ceramics, 3d Mixed Media: Plaster, Foam, Resin, Molds

  • Woodshop Operation, Equipment Maintenance and Management

    • Band Saw, Miter Saw, Compound Sliding Miter Saw, Panel Saw, Scroll Saw, Drill Press

  • Raku Firing and Electric Kilns

  • Mold Making, Plaster and Resin Casting

  • Hot Wire Tools and Foam Manipulation

  • Pottery Wheel Throwing and Hand-building

 

Digital:

  • Mac and PC products

  • Microsoft Office

  • Google Suite

  • Virtual Classrooms: Canvas, Schoology, and Desire2Learn

  • Adobe Photoshop and Acrobat

  • Website: Wix, Squarespace, Weebly, and Canva

  • Zoom, Google Meet, and Microsoft Teams

 

Special Qualifications 

  • Well-organized, timely, and experienced at multitasking

  • Excellent communication skills, both written and oral

  • Experienced collaborator in both lead and delegated roles

  • Experienced educating and collaborating with diverse populations of all ages 

  • Love of learning and working with students

  • Experienced in navigating the professional art world

  • Quick and independent learner

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Copyright © Melissa Schappell Art.  

All works on this site are copyrighted and may not be reproduced without permission.

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