Melisa Archila-Lerma is a first generation Latina artist, born and raised in New Mexico. She began her artistic journey at the University of New Mexico, studying art education. After moving to Cleveland, her career took off with the opportunity to share her love of art through several piñata workshops at the Community Arts Center. Melisa draws inspiration from her complicated childhood, and the desire to explore and uplift her family’s Mexican and Guatemalan culture. Her work explores themes of conservation, the natural world, and childlike wonder through the use of vivid colors, recycled materials, and nostalgic southwest imagery. Due to her abundant curiousity, Melisa enjoys working in several mediums, including: piñatas, printmaking, illustration, textiles, painting, and paper mache sculpting. The possibility to explore and combine mediums helps keep whimsy and playful creation at the forefront of her artistry. Melisa values the opportunities that art has provided to express herself and connect to her newfound community.