GET TO KNOW ME
Melissa Wilson a Photographer and Artist based in Royal Oak, Mi.
Melissa Wilson was a high school Fine Arts teacher for 25 years. In
addition she taught several years of college fine arts courses. In
2018 she was the Lake Orion High School teacher of the year and was
also awarded the Most Inspiring Educator Award for Oakland County
public Schools from Scholastic Arts. In 2020 the Michigan Art
Education Association named her high School Art teacher of the year
for the State of Michigan. She completed her BS in Art Education and
MA in Art Education from Wayne State University. She also completed
several fine arts and craft classes at the College for Creative
Studies. She was the department head at LOHS and the National Art
Honor Society advisor.
Many of her former students have gone on to very successful art
careers or are currently pursuing degrees in art. Over the course of
her career, her students have received 28 National Scholastic Medals
along with many other accolades.
Melissa has guided her NAHS group to create many large scale art
projects at Lake Orion High School including the creation of a large
scale community sculpture garden, many murals, and tile projects. In
2020 The National Art Education Association named her High School
National Art Honor Society Sponsor of the year for the entire country.
Melissa resides in Royal Oak with her husband and has three sons.
The kids like the beach, so much of her own watercolor work is plein
air painting at the beach in the summer. She is also a potter,
photographer, and enjoys many other mediums.
In fall of 2018 she had a one-man art show at Swords into Plowshares
Peace Center and Gallery. Her work consisted of 18 paintings that
focused on the trauma deportations are causing to the children and
families being left behind. Her exhibit “Moments” focused on a close
family friend who has missed many milestones in her children’s lives.
Melissa continues to show her art around metro Detroit.