Melissa Merritt 

I love art and all of the crafts.  

I love creativity of every sort.

I love flowers, gardens and nature in every form.

I love frogs, butterflies, snails, and pumpkins.

In Visual Art students will explore different modes of self-expression and creativity while developing artistic self-confidence.  Each lesson includes an art history component and most units are designed to extend or connect to the core curriculum.  The integration of subjects helps students make connections and see the interrelatedness of disciplines.  We practice close-looking and observational drawing as well as innovation and design.  We study women artists, folk art, indigenous art, artists of color and living artists in addition to well known movements and periods.  This helps students to develop a broader understanding and global perspective.  We critique, and exhibit our work while building a community of support for our artistic endeavors. There is a wide array of materials exploration to help students identify areas of affinity while developing skills and techniques that can aid in self-expression.  We use learning routines and the elements and principles of design to develop the language needed to discuss, understand and analyze works of art.  

National Standards for Visual Art

Visual Art Schedule

Melissa Merritt joined RGS in 2006. Originally from New York, Melissa studied at the Fashion Institute of Technology, where she received a B.F.A. in Illustration and an A.A.S. in Jewelry Design.  She later studied in Florence and completed her M.A. in Art and Art Education at Teachers College, Columbia University.  Melissa is a working artist and often exhibits her work at the Santa Fe Artists Market as well as at the Roadrunner Gallery in Madrid, NM.  Melissa works primarily in watercolor and her paintings are inspired by her love of native plants and the natural world.  Melissa is passionate about children’s picture books and recently self-published her first book, The Bluest Sky-El Cielo Más Azul.  It is an homage to the plants, animals, and landscape of New Mexico’s high desert.  Melissa also enjoys gardening, cooking, hiking and exploring the world of art with young children. 

melissa_merritt@riograndeschool.org