Melissa Ferreira lives in Providence, Rhode Island where she does her fine art and illustration projects in addition to teaching. This combination has led her to travel to France, as an instructor at the Pont-Aven School of Contemporary Art in Brittany, and to Hiva Oa in the Marquesas Islands, where she was an artist-in-residence.  She has exhibited in both locales as well as in Rennes (France), Kirkcudbright (Scotland), Providence, Boston and New York. At the Society of Illustrators' Dreams show, she was awarded first place for her entry to RSVP's national competition in 2003.  An adjunct faculty in RISD's Illustration Department, Ferreira also accepts private commissions and takes assignments for clients whose needs range from children’s books to concept art to editorial illustration. She has shared a studio with her husband Jon Foster, and their beloved pets, ever since graduating from RISD in 1990.

Teaching:

Adjunct faculty Rhode Island School of Design Illustration Department (since 1997)

Adjunct faculty Pont Aven School of Contemporary Art (since 2002)

Artist Residencies:

Paul Gauguin Centenary: four months on Hiva Oa, Marquesas Islands in French Polynesia

Group Exhibitions:

Art Brut-Art Singulier Galerie Jakez Pont Aven, France (summers 2005 & 2006)

Convergence The Tollhouse Kirkcudbright, Scotland (2006)

A Legacy of Artist-Illustrators Newport Art Museum Newport, RI (2005-2006)

Jon Foster and Melissa Ferreira risd/works Providence, RI (2005)

PostBac Exposition Centre International d’Art Contemporain  Pont-Aven, France (2005)

Paul Gauguin Centenary Centre Paul Gauguin  Hiva Oa, Marquesas (2003)

On Paper Institute Franco-Americain   Rennes, France (2003)

Pulp Fiction French Library and Cultural Center  Boston, MA (2003)

Dreams Society of Illustrators New York, NY (2003)

PSCA Faculty Galerie Jakez Pont Aven, France (2002)

Fine Art of the Illustrator Attleboro Art Museum Attleboro, MA (2001)

Faculty Biennial RISD Museum of Art Providence, RI (2005, 2003, 2001, 1999)

Permanent Installations:

Providence Children’s Museum (Rhode Island)

Sculpted ceramic tile murals at El Portal Del Yunque Visitor Center (Puerto Rico)

Freelance Illustration: