Join us as we welcome Melissa Jackson and her artwork to the River House Gallery for the month of March!

Melissa is an artist from Petersburg, West Virginia. Her painting, collage, and installation work is currently displayed at the Shenandoah Valley Art Center in the "40 Under 40" exhibit.

She will be here on March 4th to talk more about her process, answer questions, and lead us in the beginning steps of an interactive art project, in which River House patrons can add to during the month.

Come meet the artist, enjoy Sunday Brunch, and leave your mark on the wall!

More about Melissa:

"Through my artwork I hope to open up a discussion on the notion of "place" and how ones location, identity, and cultural climate shapes the visual language that I call art.

Moving to and then growing up in the rural hills of West Virginia, I developed a Love/Hate relationship to my location, all the while acknowledging that this relationship and struggle is the source of inspiration required for me to produce my art. I find it interesting when personal solitude and beauty collide with the culture of a regional small town atmosphere.

For me this process of understanding my sense of place is where the "art part" lies, the final piece is only a representation of my process.

A scene. (A story told)

A memory. (unfolds)

A pond. (reflection)

A field. (room to breath)

An old woman. (history)

All belonging to this place.

I see my work as emotional landscapes with found material. Utilizing my own personal regrets, feelings, disdain & love, reflected not just in the work itself, but in the fact that it truly was made with the intent and release of an inner dialogue made visual. "

-Melissa Jackson

Artist's Website: https://artuponarrival.wixsite.com/melissajackson