Melissa Diaz

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As an artist and art therapist, my work is an ongoing exploration of inner and outer habitats, reflecting elements of nature, growth, transition, and coexistence. I am deeply interested in portraying the tension and ambiguity between micro and macro environments, crafting transitional spaces that welcome play, introspection, and imaginative engagement. These spaces, inspired by D.W. Winnicott’s concept of transitional space, serve as a bridge between subjective and objective realities, an arena for pure creativity and connection.
My artistic process integrates found objects, upcycled materials, and scholastic tools, emphasizing accessibility and inclusivity. By demystifying the artist's role and championing the transformative powers of creativity, I invite viewers to approach the work with childlike curiosity and active imagination. This methodology is rooted in my own meditative art-making practice, where repetition of forms and the reappropriation of ancestral textile traditions forge a rhythm that reflects the communal impact of individual contributions.
In creating interactive installations, I infuse works with healing intentions, fostering relationships between the materials, the environment, and the viewer. This mirrors my therapeutic framework, where art becomes a vessel for growth and connection. Through the residency, I seek to deepen these practices, allowing the vibrant ecosystem of the Everglades to inspire new forms of coexistence, introspection, and creative transformation.

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Melissa Diaz (she/her) is a Latinx artist, art therapist, educator, and community arts organizer whose work integrates wellness, inclusion, and community engagement. Her artistic practice explores the interplay between inner and outer habitats, using interactive installations to reflect themes of nature, growth, and coexistence. Diaz employs found and upcycled materials, blending ancestral textile traditions with modern creativity to encourage accessibility and inclusivity in art-making.