Melba Lee

Visual Arts | Mixed Media

Local Artist Melba Lee brings her own unique brand of cheer and encouragement to ARTreach, along with her experience and education. She has Bachelor's degrees in both Speech Therapy and Christian Education and Christian Leadership, as well as a Master’s in Educational Administration. She has served in various professional roles, including Speech Therapist, Assistant Principal, Special Education Director, and Parental Involvement Specialist. Melba is now also working as a professional mixed media artist. For ARTreach, the activities and projects that Melba creates have been referred to by some as “Heart Art.” This is due to the happy and uplifting vibes participants feel when working with Melba, as well as the self-affirming nature of the art projects themselves.

Melba works primarily with youth groups and senior groups, finding her own personal fulfillment in it all. Her youth groups feel a sense of accomplishment as they create affirmations with art. Encouragement projects such as vision boards, self-portraits, and journaling activities help youth to find strength in themselves. They feel the truth in the statements that appear on their creations. Melba’s art activities remind youth participants to believe in themselves and their dreams.

With her senior groups, Melba designs projects that feature upcycling and repurposing everyday items that can be found in their homes. Melba’s imaginative and resourceful activities help senior participants to engage socially and creatively and build new friendships. Seniors are amazed that the creative possibilities are endless, and they are inspired to look at things laying around in a new way. It means something special to these groups in particular when Melba helps them realize that, through art, they can give new life to old things.

Of her involvement in and appreciation for ARTreach, Melba says, “I am a learner as much as a leader. ARTreach allows me to indulge in my interests in learning from other artists’ art forms and techniques and at the same time pour joy and encouragement into others through my own art and smile!”