Melissa Perhamus

My current works in the "imaginary landscapes of organic memory" series, are created through a process of direct interaction with each piece as they develop. Each piece starts with a drawing which I see as the bones or structure of the piece and from there a dialogue begins. Through a combination of choices, chances and reactions, layer upon layer builds the landscape. I see the process similar to how we develop through our lives with each layer representing experiences built upon previous ones, all which shape who we become.

I call upon shapes and textures which I have experienced from nature, which have become part of my soul and where I find peace and safety from the man-made conflicts of day to day living. These imagined landscapes have a surreal element which challenges the viewer yet are also filled with a comfortable familiarity which connects and welcomes.

B.A. SUNY Potsdam, NY (1991)
Colleges of Ripon and York St. John, England (semester abroad)
St. Lawrence University, NY (Education concentration)

Select Exhibitions and Notables

2017
"Warmth Beyond the Hills" ArtPOP Street Gallery Billboard Juror's winner

2016
"More", solo exhibit, Gallery 415,
"Mergence", Solo exhibit, Dutot Museum and Gallery, Delaware Water Gap, PA
2-person Show, Lebanon Picture Frame & Fine Art Gallery, Lebanon, PA
"Where You Land", 2-person exhibit, Jewish Community Center Gallery, Allentown, PA
Slow Art Day, International Art Experience Event, EastonBethlehem, Fountain Hill, PA (3 locations)
Mergence, solo show, Dutot Museum, Delaware Water Gap, PA
A World in Transposed Transition - An Interactive environment experience, solo exhibit/installation, Catasaqua, PA

2015
Resident Artist, Banana Factory, Bethlehem, PA
Teaching Artist, Art Establishment, Fountain Hill, PA
Slow Art Day, International Art Experience Event, Nurture Nature Center, Easton, PA
“A Bunch Of Bananas”, group invitational show, Connexions Gallery, Easton, PA
Connexions Gallery Seasonal Invitational Show, Easton, PA
Group Exhibit, BrewWorks, Allentown, PA

2014
Visiting Artist, Banana Factory, Bethlehem, PA
ACE Fall Juried Show, State Theater, Easton, PA
Connexions Gallery - Summer Invitational Show, Easton, PA
"Perspectives" - group show, Nurture Nature Cent...