Meet Melody Lima, April’s featured artist
As part of our ongoing 40th anniversary celebrations, we are featuring a different CE artist and logo every month of 2023! Read more about our 40th anniversary and our featured artists ▸
Melody Lima smiles for a portrait in the CE studio.
The history of CE lives in the archives of paintings, drawings, ceramics, and more created by artists over many decades. Spanning 40 years, CE has touched hundreds since it started, but for one artist the program has been a constant.
As the very first CE artist to join the studio, Melody Lima is woven into CE’s rich history as intricately as one of her embroidery pieces. Nicknamed "Number One," Melody takes pride in being the first student when CE was first established at Mission Cultural Center.. She often shares stories about her early experiences with CE’s patrons, fondly remembering the first work she ever made – a painting of the Golden Gate Bridge.
“I remember when I first started. There was no one here, it was so small, and I kept asking, ‘When are there going to be more students?’ And slowly people started coming one by one.”
—Melody Lima
“What makes Melody special is her sweetness, and her kind disposition toward other peers.”
Over the last four decades, Melody has stayed true to her artistic process – drawing renditions of life around the studio, including portraits of the people she adores. Her long time friend and esteemed teaching artist Pilar Olabarria describes her as not only a talented artist but also an amazing individual; the pair has shared many meaningful conversations over the years. Pilar is able to recognize one of Melody’s drawings even if her name is not on it — a testament to their long-standing bond.
CE is grounded in our belief that “Art Changes Lives,” and for Melody, it’s true. A survivor of health issues, family losses and group homes, Melody has used her art as a form of expression. Since joining CE, she has built a diverse portfolio focusing on varied subjects, from shapes and patterns to animals and figures.
A painting of the Golden Gate Bridge by Melody Lima.
Using pencils, pens, watercolor, and fabric, Melody isn’t scared to try new mediums, even making digital art on her tablet during the pandemic. She consistently diversifies her craft, ever versatile when it comes to subject and medium at the studio, and often experimenting with size. She finds relaxation in her work and waits for the right moment to arrive before starting on a new piece.
When she’s not making art, she enjoys spending time with friends and playing video games. Melody’s work has been featured in Art Changes Lives, CE’s annual gala in April, and she was chosen as April’s featured artist in honor of her long tenure at CE.
In 2018, a piece by Melody ignited a bidding war at Art Changes Lives, eventually selling for over $7,000. The experience was extremely rewarding for her.
“When they sold my piece I was shocked. I couldn’t believe how much it sold for.”
Melody says CE has helped her become more independent. In her time at the studio, she has learned how to navigate the city of San Francisco, network with her fans, and build community with fellow artists of all abilities. Though she doesn’t take her title as the first CE artist too seriously, the joy she has shared with CE over the last 40 years speaks to the power of her presence.
See Melody's work in person at our upcoming Art Changes Lives gala in 2023.