Texas Fine Arts Photographer Melissa Fontenette-Mitchell knows the power of images.  In part two of our interview, Melissa discusses how video and photographs help tell important stories about racial injustice. 

In our first episode (#016), we talked about Melissa's career path and some of her landmark projects.

Hope you enjoy our conversation. 

ARTIST STATEMENT by MELISSA FONTENETTE-MITCHELL 

My Photography Fine Art takes a critical view of social, women, political and cultural issues.  Often referencing African American and Global History, my work explores the varying relationships between popular culture and fine art.  

Having engaged subjects as diverse as the Civil Rights Movement, Women's Rights and Community Issues.  My work reproduces familiar visual and conceptual art. While I use a variety of materials and processes in each fine artwork my methodology is consistent.  

My work has been exhibited at numerous venues in Texas, Florida and New York.  The Bydee Art Gallery, The Contemporary Art Museum, Mattie Kelly Art Gallery, Heath Gallery, Open Doors Gallery, People’s Art Gallery, Round Rock Art Space and Conception Art Gallery. 

The subject matter of each body of work celebrate a rich diversity to encourage young minds to dream and follow their purpose.  During research and production new areas of interest arise and lead to the next body of work.  Art remains as a strong contender of how we share our thoughts and ideas. 

Melissa’s most recent accomplishment as a featured artist in a short documentary film produced and directed by Kyndal Workman, a Pflugerville Girl Scout Gold Star recipient, “Women + the Arts = Social Impact”  2020 Black History Month Artist at Round Rock Public Library exhibition “The Struggle in Black and White”, selected as one the 200 Artist out of 1250 submissions to exhibit her artwork at Austin City Hall.  2017 Melissa was awarded Top 100 Achievements in Black Austin Fine Art Artist. In 2015 Melissa was awarded 1st place in Digital 

Photography and People’s Choice Award at Texas State University.  In 2014 Villager’s Newspaper Photographer of the week. 

 Please follow Melissa on social media:  

https://www.instagram.com/north_starphotography/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/lissiaz/

https://www.facebook.com/North-Star-Photography-220674192456/

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