b.1989 Mt. Vernon, NY
Based in Brooklyn, NY
email: melindamkiefer@gmail.com
instagram: @melindamkiefer
A lifelong learner, deeply interested in perception and how people are influenced.
Sees art as a vehicle for meaningful connection.
Education
Purchase College, SUNY Purchase, NY
Masters in Fine Art, 2017; GPA: 3.9/4.0, Presidential Scholarship, National Italian American Foundation Scholarship.
Skidmore College Saratoga Springs, NY
Bachelor of Science in Studio Art, 2011; GPA: 3.6/4.0, Recipient of multiple grants and art awards: Anne Reid Scholarship, Columbus Citizens Foundation Scholarship, SACI Studio Art Centers International for Study Abroad Florence, Italy.
Selected Solo Exhibitions
2020 Dancing Sickness-Dream Weapon, HilO, Catskill, NY (upcoming)
2015 Rebuilt Recollections, Indiginal Gallery, Baltimore, MD (solo)
Indiginal Presents, Indiginal Gallery, Baltimore, MD (two person)
2012 Please Knock; Please Sit, Please Pray, Round Door Pop Up Gallery, Mt Vernon, NY (solo)
2009 Reconstruction, Case Gallery, Saratoga Springs, NY (solo)
Selected Group Exhibitions
2019 XZ Sign, 7 Belvidere, Brooklyn, NY
Living Gallery 7-Year Anniversary, The Living Gallery, Brooklyn, NY
2018 Recognize You When She Sees You, SEPTEMBER Gallery, Hudson, NY
2017 Art OMI Staff Show, OMI International Arts Center, Ghent, NY
MFA Thesis Show, Richard & Dolly Maass Gallery, Purchase, NY
Artefactual-MFA Thesis Show, Equity Gallery, New York, NY
2016 Stolen, Lost, Disappeared, Richard & Dolly Maass Gallery, Purchase, NY
Lyndhurst Scarecrow Invasion, Lyndhurst Historic Site, Tarrytown, NY
Artist Collaborator/Performer for 'In Watermelon Sugar', Adaptation by Ren Pepitone and Isa Leal, Fields Festival,
Baltimore, MD
2015 Medium Rare, Richard & Dolly Maass Gallery, Purchase, NY
Spring Fever, The Crown, Baltimore, MD
Everything All the Time, The Annex 2E, Baltimore, MD
Artist Showing with Iron Rainbow, 5th Dimension, Baltimore, MD
2014 The Happening II, Gristle Gallery, Brooklyn, NY
More Like A Monk 2, EMP Collective, Baltimore, MD
Soundnest, Artscape, Baltimore, MD
More Like A Monk, EMP Collective, Baltimore, MD
Octavia Butler Tribute, Jaam Rek Studio, Seattle, WA
2013 Purgatory with Pinatas, Old Man Hustle Space, New York, NY
Purgatory with Pinatas, 3rd Eye Solarized Gallery, Brooklyn, NY
2012 The Muse at Home, Schick Gallery Gallery, Saratoga Springs, NY
Enduring Ephemera, Louise McCagg Gallery, Barnard College, New York, NY
Bushwick Open Studios, Brooklyn, NY
Oankali, curated by Megan Hyde
Hello Earth, The Loom Gallery, Brooklyn, NY
Gifts + You, Internet Show by Jordan Lord, http://cargocollective.com/giftsplusyou/GIFTS-YOU
Passion, CCP Gallery, Brooklyn, NY
Please Knock, Please Sit, Please Pray, Round Door Pop Up Gallery, Mt Vernon, NY (solo)
2011 Annual Drawing Exhibition, Greenpoint Gallery, Brooklyn, NY
Winter Show, Greenpoint Gallery, Brooklyn, NY
Bushwick Open Studios, Splinters and Logs Studio Space, Brooklyn, NY
Bushwick Open Studios, Jai Yoga Arts, Brooklyn, NY
Senior Thesis Exhibition, Tang Teaching Museum, Saratoga Springs, NY
Skidmore Infusion, House of Creative Soul Gallery, Saratoga Springs, NY
Student Art in the Library, Lucy Scribner Library, Saratoga Springs, NY
Skidmore Student Exhibition, Schick Gallery, Saratoga Springs, NY
2010 Recyclemania, Saratoga ArtsFest, Saratoga Springs, NY
SACI Student Exhibition, SACI Gallery, Florence, Italy
Skidmore Student Exhibition, Shick Gallery, Saratoga Springs NY
10 by 10, Mimosa Gallery, Saratoga Springs, NY
Pro Arts Group Show, Case Gallery, Saratoga Springs, NY
2009 Winter Show, Rounds Gallery, Saratoga Springs, NY
Reconstruction, Case Gallery, Saratoga Springs, NY (solo)
Pro Arts Installation, Tang Teaching Museum, Saratoga Springs, NY
Progressive Fashion Show, Skidmore College, Saratoga Springs, NY
Student Art in the Library, Skidmore College, Saratoga Springs, NY
Pro Arts Group Show, Skidmore College, Saratoga Springs, NY
2008 Pro Arts Installation, Tang Teaching Museum, Saratoga Springs, NY
Pro Arts Group Show, Skidmore College, Saratoga Springs, NY
Awards and Residencies
2016 Artist in Residence, Eco Practicum, Liberty, NY
2011 Jesse Solomon Memorial Award in Painting, Skidmore College
Honors, Senior Thesis Exhibition, Skidmore College
Student Opportunity Funds Grant, Skidmore College
2010 Best in Show, SACI Student Exhibition, Studio Art Centers International
Tang Museum Award, Skidmore Student Exhibition, Juror, Dawn Clements
2009 Soave Fair Award, Skidmore Student Exhibition, Juror, Michael Oatman
Pro Arts Tang Party Installation Grant, Skidmore College
2008 Pro Arts Tang Party Installation Grant, Skidmore College
Collective
Dancing Sickness Instagram: @dancing_sickness Bandcamp: dancingsickness.bandcamp.com
Art/Band Based in Brooklyn NY 2018-Present
2018 Performances: Secret Project Robot, The Glove, The Grove, Sunnyvale, The Living Gallery, Gold Sounds
Publications
2018 Before the Apocalypse Album Art Illustration, BTA Records
2016 Drawing Illustrator for Yoni Egg Energy, Graceful Empowerment
2012 Lunch, MoMA PS1 Intern Art Zine, Artbook, MoMA PS1, NY
Collections
2019 Leslie Vosshall, Private Collection, NY
2017 Kristen Dodge, Paula Hayes, Private Collections, Hudson, NY
2014 William Murphy Private Collection, MD
2011 Paula Hayes Private Collection, NY
Jai Yoga Arts Center, Brooklyn, NY
Notable Accomplishments
- Leads experimental art and yoga classes in nontraditional venues.
- Invited artist in residence at environmental justice school.
- Received multiple scholarships, awards, and work exchange throughout undergraduate/postgraduate studies.
Relevant Experience
Melinda Kiefer Studio
Artist • Brooklyn, NY January 2010 – Present
Multidisciplinary artist working in painting, collage, fibers, sculpture, performance.
- Exhibits artwork nationally and internationally.
- Commissioned artist for portraits and mural in private home.
- Sales of oil paintings and collage books to private collectors.
- Performed in dance group Iron Rainbow at various venues in the Northeast.
- Hired to complete 15 hand-drawn colored illustrations for published book, Yoni Egg Energy, by Grace Diaz.
- Leads Yoga Art workshops at Earth Arts Center, BK and upcoming at Hudson Valley MOCA.
BRIC Arts Media
Teaching Artist Residency • Brooklyn, NY April 2019 – Present
Teaches visual art classes to 6th and 8th graders at Van Siclen Community Middle School.
- Designed curricula based on the Harlem Renaissance paired with contemporary art.
- Guides multi week project incorporating collage, painting and silhouette for student exhibition.
Pinot’s Palette
Painting Instructor • Brooklyn, NY February 2019 – Present
Leads acrylic painting sessions to children, teens, and adults.
- Designs paintings with step-by-step instructions for the Pinot’s Palette database.
- Teaches 2-hour painting sessions for groups ranging in sizes of 12-64.
- Cleans, stocks and organizes painting studio.
Darzah/Child’s Cup Full
Sales Associate • New York, NY November 2017 – December 2017
Successfully sold fair trade children’s toys and women’s hand-sewn fashions by refugee Palestinian women.
- Introduced Arabic educational language toys to consumers at the Union Square Holiday Market.
- Assisted women to select high fashion leather shoes and handbags.
Paula Hayes Studio
Studio Assistant • New York, NY September 2010 – August 2017
Personal assistant for fine artist on a project basis consistently over seven years.
- Provided creative feedback; participated with artist in building plaster and clay sculptures.
- Maintained living terrariums in private homes, galleries, and museums.
- Conducted landscape and rooftop gardening in celebrity homes.
- Managed blog for yearlong exhibition at the Tang Teaching Museum.
OMI International Arts Center
Studio Instructor • Ghent, NY June 2017 – August 2017
Teaching artist for prestigious and experimental contemporary art Camp OMI.
- Co-taught 2D multimedia contemporary art to various age groups ranging from 6-13.
- Designed lesson plans with the director.
- Guided dynamic projects: up-cycled fashion, street art murals, transformed books.
SEPTEMBER Gallery
Yoga Instructor • Hudson, NY June 2017 – August 2017
Taught innovative yoga class in contemporary art gallery.
- Created class that combined yoga, aromatherapy, sound healing, reiki.
- Taught unique approach connecting the yoga conceptually to the artwork in gallery.
- Designed and promoted poster for summer class; assisted with gallery administration.
Purchase College, SUNY
Drawing Instructor • Purchase, NY September 2016 – May 2017
Taught Introduction to Drawing class to 18 undergraduate college students.
- Produced comprehensive syllabus for class.
- Demonstrated different observational drawing methods and techniques.
- Presented art history that included diverse and underrepresented artists.
- Graded student portfolios and cumulative effort for the semester; documented student artwork.
- Maintained online class forum with assignments and presentations.
- Provided one on one mentorship: received strong evaluations and positive feedback from students.
Graduate Teaching Assistant • Purchase, NY September 2015 – May 2016
Two classes: Studio Art Painting Class, Materials and Techniques; Art History Seminar, Art in the Age of Electronic Media
- Presented on the history of pigment, color, paint.
- Worked one on one with students in making paint from scratch.
- Maintained online archive with class presentations and assignments.
- Organized studio and ensured safety when handling toxic materials.
Yoga Instructor • Purchase, NY September 2015 – May 2016
Taught Yoga for Creative Expression at the Wellness Center to undergraduates; weekly drop in classes (1-15 in size).
- Researched and designed Yoga + Art syllabus.
- Created multidisciplinary class that combined art, yoga, and reiki.
School of the Apocalypse
Group Facilitator • New York, NY March 2017 – June 2017
Leader in adult school that addressed the relationship of art and survival.
- Created class content: Embarrassing Dead Magic-Revived (Alternative Healing as a Human Right).
- Moderated discussion, blog, collaborative project, and presentation.
Eco Practicum
Artist in Residence • Liberty, NY June 2016
Environmental social justice program for young adults.
- Designed and built 25-foot stone meditation labyrinth with creative partner.
- Offered history + 2-D art making labyrinth workshop to students.
Farmer’s Market
Server/Food Prep/Cook • Baltimore, MD March 2015 – August 2016
Represented Farm to Face and The Verandah Indian Café at local farmer’s markets.
- Prepared/served traditional Indian dishes and vegan Middle Eastern cuisine.
- Learned to make curry, specialty teas, and other traditional dishes.
American Visionary Art Museum
Docent • Baltimore, MD June 2014 – July 2015
Led public tours on the collection and exhibitions of outsider, folk, and visionary art.
- Highlighted environmental subject matter throughout indoor/outdoor exhibits.
MoMA Ps1
Visitor Services Associate • New York, NY September 2011 – May 2013
Liaison for nonprofit contemporary art museum and installation intern.
- Led public tours on history and exhibitions, sold tickets, answered phone.
Tang Teaching Museum
Visitor Services Associate • Saratoga Springs, NY September 2009 – May 2011
Educated visitors on contemporary art exhibitions.
- Sold merchandise in the gift shop, guarded the artwork, handled phone calls.
Skidmore College
Teaching Assistant • Saratoga Springs, NY September 2010 – December 2010
Foundation sculpture class working in multimedia techniques.
- Supervised woodshop, assisted in plaster mold making.
- Problem-solved with students building and working in complex ideas.
Certifications, Skills & Interests
- Registered Yoga Instructor (200-hour, Kripalu Center)
- Reiki Level II
- Teaching, Mentoring, Presenting, Public Speaking, Communication
- Writing, Editing, Organizing, Research, Synthesizing Complex Ideas
- Interpersonal, Empathic, Intuitive
- Representational Painting and Drawing in Graphite, Acrylic, Oil
- Woodcut Printmaking, Recycled Sculpture Making, Sewing, Appliqué
- Travel, Culture, Outdoor Activities
