Biography

Melissa Bryant was born in the Philippines. As a child, she didn’t have toys, but she did have plenty of paper, pencils, and crayons. Creating art has been an essential aspect of her life. When she was nine years old, she emigrated with her family to Vancouver, British Columbia. Art was her inroads to making new friends. Even though she was initially unable to speak English, the neighborhood girls were drawn to her because of her ability to draw paper dolls and fashionable clothes. She moved many times and creating art was one of the ways she was able to “bloom” where she was “planted.” 

 

Melissa has lived in diverse places across the United States and has traveled extensively abroad. She graduated with a BA in Political Science/International Studies with a minor in Asian Studies from the University of Maryland. She studied at the University of California at Santa Cruz and at Berkeley and completed post-graduate studies in Studio Art at the University of Tennessee, East Carolina University, and the University of Utah. She also participated in a painting study abroad program in Italy and a study abroad program focused on Buddhism and its influence on traditional Japanese arts in Kyoto, Japan. Additionally, she obtained a BFA from Kutztown University, Pennsylvania, and an MFA from the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (see artist resume link below).

 

Melissa and her husband taught at Nankai University, Tianjin, China, for three years. While in China, she studied the Chinese language, traditional Chinese painting, and calligraphy. She also continued her Tai chi training. She has adapted to distinctly different academic, social, and cultural settings by immersing herself in art. Her other interests include community service, most recently working with refugees, teaching, travel, playing the piano, and reading. She is also an avid journal writer.