M. K. W. STUDIOS
Bio
Melissa Williams
Analyst and Visual Artist
Work History
Melissa Williams was born in New Orleans and raised in Raleigh. Her professional roles all began as favorite interests; a sense for engaging imagery and narratives ensued from her path across many disciplines.
Melissa is most curious about the intersection of art, storytelling, and democratizing knowledge with data.
Recently she shifted her career from elementary education to data science. Her passion for analytical insights came from helping families receive and act on data-supported evidence of learning disabilities, where successful identification is most urgent in early childhood.
De-mystifying problems with analytics inspired Melissa to learn programming. She gained respective methods for handling data with code, and exactly like her tireless chase of drawing mediums, she intends to expand her collection of analysis tools. The most rewarding stage for her is visualization - choosing the best way to merge information and art.
Integrated with her teaching practice, Melissa has maintained a creative studio part-time for thirteen years. She conducted art lessons and volunteered craft demonstrations in multiple venues across Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill. Drawing and painting are a lifelong study; themes in her work return to iconic scenery and people of the American South.
Education
2020 - 2022
Wake Technical Community College
2011 - 2013
North Carolina State University
2005 - 2008
Maryland Institute College of Art
Associates in Applied Sciences, Data Science and Programming Support Services
Certificate, Business Intelligence
Python programming and analytics, data visualization, database and cloud development.
Master of Arts, Elementary Education
Graduate studies in educator leadership, diversity in communications, behavior management in inclusive classrooms, literacy and math instructional practice in K- 6th grades.
Bachelor of Fine Arts, Painting
Undergraduate major studies in fine art and classical drawing, minor studies in print, web design, and animation.
Accomplishments
William Gaston Allen Scholarship, Wake Technical Community College 2021
Dean's List all semesters, Wake Technical Community College 2020-2021
Sponsored Artist Ambassador, Jerry's Artarama 2021
PTA Board Elementary Staff Representative 2019-2020
Reviews
“My wife and I came across Melissa’s work in a random way. And as art has an effect on people the way that it does, we were blown away by her work…the mediums, the finishes, the presentation…and we commissioned her to do a piece with our sons as the subject. It is a centerpiece in our home that garners comments from everyone that sees it. There is NOTHING traditional about it. It is magnificent. We were so taken by her work that we hosted a show. Nearly everyone that attended commissioned her for that 'special' piece for their home. We all can now claim that we have a piece by Melissa Williams. She is a gift with a gift.”
- David S. White, client
"Melissa is an extremely valuable teammate, using her vast knowledge and ingenuity to inspire those around her."
-Lauren Cloninger, 1st grade teacher
"Melissa is one of the most creative people I have had the pleasure of working with. Her artwork tells beautiful stories about her love for animals and her unique life experiences."
-Stephanie Patton, instructional assistant
“The commission was for the Deans family, a client of mine. I was so pleased with Melissa’s ability to create exactly what I was going for. When the painting was finished my clients were equally as amazed and so grateful.”
-Dustin Faithful, client
"She is an amazing teacher who works hard and really knows how to bond with her students. "
-Bryan, classroom volunteer
"I feel lucky to own some of Melissa's work. The intimacy in the detail of her sketches brings me joy every time I look at them."
-Ahmed Amer, client
"I like how nice she is when she is teaching. I like how she writes funny stories."
- Saniyah, student
