{"title":"Mary Melton","description":"\u003cp class=\"MsoBodyText\" style=\"margin-left: 5.6pt; text-indent: .3pt; line-height: 121%;\"\u003e\u003cb style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #4d4d4d; mso-font-width: 105%;\"\u003eMary Melton \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #4d4d4d; mso-font-width: 105%;\"\u003ewas\u003cspan style=\"letter-spacing: -.1pt;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003ean artist and printmaker who resided in\u003cspan style=\"letter-spacing: -.05pt;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eRichmond\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #747474; mso-font-width: 105%;\"\u003e, \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #4d4d4d; mso-font-width: 105%;\"\u003eVirginia\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #747474; mso-font-width: 105%;\"\u003e.\u003cspan style=\"letter-spacing: -.3pt;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #4d4d4d; mso-font-width: 105%;\"\u003eBorn in Richmond\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #747474; mso-font-width: 105%;\"\u003e,\u003cspan style=\"letter-spacing: -.05pt;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #4d4d4d; mso-font-width: 105%;\"\u003eshe received her\u003cspan style=\"letter-spacing: -.7pt;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eelementary and\u003cspan style=\"letter-spacing: -.6pt;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003esecondary\u003cspan style=\"letter-spacing: -.1pt;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eeducation\u003cspan style=\"letter-spacing: -.15pt;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003ein\u003cspan style=\"letter-spacing: -.55pt;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003ethe\u003cspan style=\"letter-spacing: -.6pt;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eRichmond Public\u003cspan style=\"letter-spacing: -.2pt;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eSchools\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #747474; mso-font-width: 105%;\"\u003e.\u003cspan style=\"letter-spacing: -.7pt;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #4d4d4d; mso-font-width: 105%;\"\u003eShe\u003cspan style=\"letter-spacing: -.55pt;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eattended\u003cspan style=\"letter-spacing: -.1pt;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eVirginia Commonwealth University, where she studied Art History and Psychology\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #747474; mso-font-width: 105%;\"\u003e.\u003cspan style=\"letter-spacing: -.45pt;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #4d4d4d; mso-font-width: 105%;\"\u003eThrough her exposure to Art History, Mary realized that\u003cspan style=\"letter-spacing: -.1pt;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eher\u003cspan style=\"letter-spacing: -.1pt;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003etrue\u003cspan style=\"letter-spacing: -.45pt;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003epassion was\u003cspan style=\"letter-spacing: -.05pt;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003ecreating her\u003cspan style=\"letter-spacing: -.05pt;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eown art\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #747474; mso-font-width: 105%;\"\u003e.\u003cspan style=\"letter-spacing: -.65pt;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #4d4d4d; mso-font-width: 105%;\"\u003eShe\u003cspan style=\"letter-spacing: -.05pt;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003estudied at\u003cspan style=\"letter-spacing: -.2pt;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003ethe\u003cspan style=\"letter-spacing: -.05pt;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eVirginia\u003cspan style=\"letter-spacing: -.05pt;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eMuseum Studio Art\u003cspan style=\"letter-spacing: -.05pt;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eProgram and at the Visual Art Center in\u003cspan style=\"letter-spacing: -.1pt;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eRichmond\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #747474; mso-font-width: 105%;\"\u003e.\u003cspan style=\"letter-spacing: -.45pt;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #4d4d4d; mso-font-width: 105%;\"\u003eShe also attended several workshops with nationally recognized artists and continued to\u003cspan style=\"letter-spacing: -.25pt;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003estudy on her own. Mary felt that her art\u003cspan style=\"letter-spacing: -.05pt;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eeducation was an ongoing journey and was always eager to expand her knowledge\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #747474; mso-font-width: 105%;\"\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoBodyText\" style=\"line-height: 118%; margin: 9.5pt 1.8pt .0001pt 5.15pt;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #4d4d4d; mso-font-width: 105%;\"\u003eWhile attending \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #4d4d4d; mso-font-width: 105%; font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;\"\u003ea\u003cspan style=\"letter-spacing: -.2pt;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #4d4d4d; mso-font-width: 105%;\"\u003emonotype class at the Virginia Museum\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #747474; mso-font-width: 105%;\"\u003e,\u003cspan style=\"letter-spacing: -.05pt;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #4d4d4d; mso-font-width: 105%;\"\u003eshe discovered the exciting possibilities of printmaking. Mary went on to\u003cspan style=\"letter-spacing: -.5pt;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eexplore monotypes and several other printmaking forms\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #747474; mso-font-width: 105%;\"\u003e.\u003cspan style=\"letter-spacing: -.35pt;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #4d4d4d; mso-font-width: 105%;\"\u003eAfter becoming interested in\u003cspan style=\"letter-spacing: -.45pt;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eencaustic and\u003cspan style=\"letter-spacing: -.45pt;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003ecollage\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #747474; mso-font-width: 105%;\"\u003e,\u003cspan style=\"letter-spacing: -.2pt;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #4d4d4d; mso-font-width: 105%;\"\u003eshe\u003cspan style=\"letter-spacing: -.25pt;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eattended classes\u003cspan style=\"letter-spacing: -.1pt;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eat\u003cspan style=\"letter-spacing: -.25pt;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eR\u003cspan style=\"letter-spacing: -.15pt;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.5pt; line-height: 118%; color: #4d4d4d; mso-font-width: 105%; font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;\"\u003e\u0026amp;\u003cspan style=\"letter-spacing: -.3pt;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #4d4d4d; mso-font-width: 105%;\"\u003eF\u003cspan style=\"letter-spacing: -.4pt;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003ePaints in\u003cspan style=\"letter-spacing: -.15pt;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eKingston\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #747474; mso-font-width: 105%;\"\u003e, \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #4d4d4d; mso-font-width: 105%;\"\u003eNew York\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #747474; mso-font-width: 105%;\"\u003e.\u003cspan style=\"letter-spacing: -.7pt;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #4d4d4d; mso-font-width: 105%;\"\u003eShe\u003cspan style=\"letter-spacing: -.15pt;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003ealso taught monotype printmaking to\u003cspan style=\"letter-spacing: -.1pt;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eadults and children and had private students in drawing and painting\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #747474; mso-font-width: 105%;\"\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoBodyText\" style=\"text-indent: -.1pt; line-height: 120%; margin: 10.25pt 1.8pt .0001pt 5.25pt;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #4d4d4d; mso-font-width: 105%;\"\u003eHer work was shown\u003cspan style=\"letter-spacing: .75pt;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003ein Richmond and in\u003cspan style=\"letter-spacing: -.05pt;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eseveral other galleries throughout\u003cspan style=\"letter-spacing: .75pt;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003ethe Commonwealth.\u003cspan style=\"letter-spacing: 1.45pt;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eA number of\u003cspan style=\"letter-spacing: -.1pt;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eher pieces became part of private collections\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #747474; mso-font-width: 105%;\"\u003e, \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #4d4d4d; mso-font-width: 105%;\"\u003eand one work was acquired by \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.5pt; line-height: 120%; color: #4d4d4d; mso-font-width: 105%; font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;\"\u003ea\u003cspan style=\"letter-spacing: -.2pt;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #4d4d4d; mso-font-width: 105%;\"\u003eformer presidential candidate\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #747474; mso-font-width: 105%;\"\u003e.\u003cspan style=\"letter-spacing: -.7pt;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #4d4d4d; mso-font-width: 105%;\"\u003eHer\u003cspan style=\"letter-spacing: -.3pt;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eart \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #4d4d4d; mso-font-width: 105%; font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;\"\u003ewas\u003cspan style=\"letter-spacing: -.7pt;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003ea\/so\u003cspan style=\"letter-spacing: -.2pt;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #4d4d4d; mso-font-width: 105%;\"\u003eincluded in\u003cspan style=\"letter-spacing: -.55pt;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003ecorporate collections\u003cspan style=\"letter-spacing: -.05pt;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #4d4d4d; mso-font-width: 105%; font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;\"\u003esuch\u003cspan style=\"letter-spacing: -.7pt;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eas Westminster\u003cspan style=\"letter-spacing: -.55pt;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #4d4d4d; mso-font-width: 105%;\"\u003eCanterbury and the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #747474; mso-font-width: 105%;\"\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoBodyText\" style=\"text-indent: .5pt; line-height: 120%; margin: 9.8pt 1.8pt .0001pt 4.8pt;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #4d4d4d; mso-font-width: 105%;\"\u003eMary\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #747474; mso-font-width: 105%;\"\u003e'\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #4d4d4d; mso-font-width: 105%;\"\u003es\u003cspan style=\"letter-spacing: -.05pt;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003ework received a\u003cspan style=\"letter-spacing: -.2pt;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003evariety of\u003cspan style=\"letter-spacing: -.1pt;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eawards and much praise. She\u003cspan style=\"letter-spacing: -.15pt;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eearned Second Place for\u003cspan style=\"letter-spacing: -.35pt;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eoils at\u003cspan style=\"letter-spacing: -.1pt;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003ethe Bath County Art Show\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #747474; mso-font-width: 105%;\"\u003e,\u003cspan style=\"letter-spacing: -.4pt;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #4d4d4d; mso-font-width: 105%;\"\u003ean Award of\u003cspan style=\"letter-spacing: -.2pt;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eDistinction at\u003cspan style=\"letter-spacing: -.2pt;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003ethe\u003cspan style=\"letter-spacing: -.25pt;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eShenandoah Valley Art\u003cspan style=\"letter-spacing: -.25pt;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eCenter, and several first\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #747474; mso-font-width: 105%;\"\u003e,\u003cspan style=\"letter-spacing: -.35pt;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #4d4d4d; mso-font-width: 105%;\"\u003esecond\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #747474; mso-font-width: 105%;\"\u003e, \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #4d4d4d; mso-font-width: 105%;\"\u003eand juror\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #747474; mso-font-width: 105%;\"\u003e'\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #4d4d4d; mso-font-width: 105%;\"\u003es choice awards at\u003cspan style=\"letter-spacing: -.1pt;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003ethe Shockoe Bottom Art Center\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #747474; mso-font-width: 105%;\"\u003e.\u003cspan style=\"letter-spacing: -.05pt;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #4d4d4d; mso-font-width: 105%;\"\u003eHer work was also selected for the Metropolitan Richmond Artist Association annual all-member exhibit and several Print\u003cspan style=\"letter-spacing: -.1pt;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eInvitational Shows\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #747474; mso-font-width: 105%;\"\u003e, \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #4d4d4d; mso-font-width: 105%;\"\u003eincluding those at\u003cspan style=\"letter-spacing: -.15pt;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eLongwood College and\u003cspan style=\"letter-spacing: -.05pt;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eEmory \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #4d4d4d; mso-font-width: 105%; font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;\"\u003e\u0026amp;\u003cspan style=\"letter-spacing: -.35pt;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #4d4d4d; mso-font-width: 105%;\"\u003eHenry College\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #747474; mso-font-width: 105%;\"\u003e.\u003cspan style=\"letter-spacing: -.7pt;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #4d4d4d; mso-font-width: 105%;\"\u003eMary\u003cspan style=\"letter-spacing: .9pt;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #4d4d4d; mso-font-width: 105%; font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;\"\u003ewas\u003cspan style=\"letter-spacing: -.35pt;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #4d4d4d; mso-font-width: 105%;\"\u003ealso\u003cspan style=\"letter-spacing: -.15pt;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003echosen to\u003cspan style=\"letter-spacing: -.55pt;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eparticipate in the First Printmakers Biennial at the Visual Art Center and in\u003cspan style=\"letter-spacing: -.1pt;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003ethe\u003cspan style=\"letter-spacing: -.2pt;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e10\u003cspan style=\"letter-spacing: -.3pt;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eGround Breaking Printmakers exhibition in\u003cspan style=\"letter-spacing: -.45pt;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eRichmond\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #747474; mso-font-width: 105%;\"\u003e.\u003cspan style=\"letter-spacing: -.7pt;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #4d4d4d; mso-font-width: 105%;\"\u003eSeveral of\u003cspan style=\"letter-spacing: -.25pt;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eher works were also\u003cspan style=\"letter-spacing: -.35pt;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003ejuried into\u003cspan style=\"letter-spacing: -.35pt;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003ethe\u003cspan style=\"letter-spacing: -.55pt;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eannual University of\u003cspan style=\"letter-spacing: -.35pt;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eRichmond Print \u003cspan style=\"letter-spacing: -.1pt;\"\u003eExhibitions\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #747474; letter-spacing: -.1pt; mso-font-width: 105%;\"\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoBodyText\" style=\"text-align: justify; text-indent: .1pt; line-height: 120%; margin: 10.3pt 12.6pt .0001pt 4.65pt;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #4d4d4d; mso-font-width: 105%;\"\u003eIn\u003cspan style=\"letter-spacing: -.6pt;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003etheir Richmond show Wish You\u003cspan style=\"letter-spacing: -.5pt;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eWere\u003cspan style=\"letter-spacing: -.15pt;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eHere\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #747474; mso-font-width: 105%;\"\u003e,\u003cspan style=\"letter-spacing: -.35pt;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #4d4d4d; mso-font-width: 105%;\"\u003ethe\u003cspan style=\"letter-spacing: -.3pt;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eNational Collage Society recognized Mary\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #747474; mso-font-width: 105%;\"\u003e'\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #4d4d4d; mso-font-width: 105%;\"\u003es\u003cspan style=\"letter-spacing: -.4pt;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003epostcard entry as\u003cspan style=\"letter-spacing: -.4pt;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eone\u003cspan style=\"letter-spacing: -.25pt;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eof\u003cspan style=\"letter-spacing: -.2pt;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003esixteen\u003cspan style=\"letter-spacing: -.1pt;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003enational award winners\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #747474; mso-font-width: 105%;\"\u003e.\u003cspan style=\"letter-spacing: -.6pt;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #4d4d4d; mso-font-width: 105%;\"\u003eHer piece\u003cspan style=\"letter-spacing: -.25pt;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eRule\u003cspan style=\"letter-spacing: -.15pt;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e#2\u003cspan style=\"letter-spacing: -.05pt;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003ewas\u003cspan style=\"letter-spacing: -.05pt;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003ejuried into\u003cspan style=\"letter-spacing: -.45pt;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003etheir annual\u003cspan style=\"letter-spacing: -.05pt;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eexhibition at the Longmont Museum in Longmont\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #747474; mso-font-width: 105%;\"\u003e, \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #4d4d4d; mso-font-width: 105%;\"\u003eColorado.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoBodyText\" style=\"text-indent: .2pt; line-height: 121%; margin: 9.6pt 1.8pt .0001pt 4.8pt;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #4d4d4d; mso-font-width: 105%;\"\u003eIn 1999, Mary created an\u003cspan style=\"letter-spacing: -.05pt;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eexhibition of eighteen works titled Speaking for Voices Long Silenced\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #747474; mso-font-width: 105%;\"\u003e, \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #4d4d4d; mso-font-width: 105%;\"\u003ein remembrance and\u003cspan style=\"letter-spacing: -.4pt;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003ededication to\u003cspan style=\"letter-spacing: -.5pt;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003ethe\u003cspan style=\"letter-spacing: -.1pt;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eArmenian Genocide of\u003cspan style=\"letter-spacing: -.3pt;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e1917\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #747474; mso-font-width: 105%;\"\u003e.\u003cspan style=\"letter-spacing: -.25pt;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #4d4d4d; mso-font-width: 105%;\"\u003eThis historic\u003cspan style=\"letter-spacing: -.1pt;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eevent\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #747474; mso-font-width: 105%;\"\u003e,\u003cspan style=\"letter-spacing: -.25pt;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #4d4d4d; mso-font-width: 105%;\"\u003eoften\u003cspan style=\"letter-spacing: -.3pt;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003ereferred to\u003cspan style=\"letter-spacing: -.05pt;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eas the\u003cspan style=\"letter-spacing: -.65pt;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #747474; mso-font-width: 105%;\"\u003e\"\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #4d4d4d; mso-font-width: 105%;\"\u003eforgotten\u003cspan style=\"letter-spacing: -.35pt;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003egenocide\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #747474; mso-font-width: 105%;\"\u003e,\"\u003cspan style=\"letter-spacing: -1.15pt;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #4d4d4d; mso-font-width: 105%;\"\u003eheld\u003cspan style=\"letter-spacing: -.15pt;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003edeep\u003cspan style=\"letter-spacing: -.05pt;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003epersonal meaning for\u003cspan style=\"letter-spacing: -.15pt;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eher,\u003cspan style=\"letter-spacing: -.1pt;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eas\u003cspan style=\"letter-spacing: -.35pt;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eher\u003cspan style=\"letter-spacing: -.1pt;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003emother\u003cspan style=\"letter-spacing: -.05pt;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eand\u003cspan style=\"letter-spacing: -.4pt;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003egrandmother\u003cspan style=\"letter-spacing: .8pt;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003ewere\u003cspan style=\"letter-spacing: -.1pt;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eboth witnesses to and survivors of the tragedy.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoBodyText\" style=\"text-align: justify; line-height: 122%; margin: 9.85pt 7.95pt .0001pt 4.65pt;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #4d4d4d; mso-font-width: 105%;\"\u003eMary\u003cspan style=\"letter-spacing: -.05pt;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003ealso\u003cspan style=\"letter-spacing: -.5pt;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eserved as\u003cspan style=\"letter-spacing: -.2pt;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003epresident of\u003cspan style=\"letter-spacing: -.3pt;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003ethe\u003cspan style=\"letter-spacing: -.7pt;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eMetropolitan Richmond Artist\u003cspan style=\"letter-spacing: -.35pt;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eAssociation and\u003cspan style=\"letter-spacing: -.1pt;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003ewas\u003cspan style=\"letter-spacing: -.3pt;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #4d4d4d; mso-font-width: 105%; font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;\"\u003ea\u003cspan style=\"letter-spacing: -.25pt;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #4d4d4d; mso-font-width: 105%;\"\u003emember of\u003cspan style=\"letter-spacing: -.5pt;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003ethe National Collage Society, the\u003cspan style=\"letter-spacing: -.05pt;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eVirginia Collage Society, and the\u003cspan style=\"letter-spacing: -.1pt;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eVirginia Museum of Fine\u003cspan style=\"letter-spacing: -.05pt;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eArts\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #747474; mso-font-width: 105%;\"\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoBodyText\" style=\"line-height: 120%; margin: 9.65pt 1.8pt .0001pt 4.2pt;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #4d4d4d; mso-font-width: 105%;\"\u003eMary\u003cspan style=\"letter-spacing: -.05pt;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eonce reflected, \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #747474; mso-font-width: 105%;\"\u003e\"\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #4d4d4d; mso-font-width: 105%;\"\u003eThe awards and honors are \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #4d4d4d; mso-font-width: 105%; font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;\"\u003ea\u003cspan style=\"letter-spacing: -.15pt;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #4d4d4d; mso-font-width: 105%;\"\u003ewonderful affirmation of my artwork. However, when my granddaughter\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #747474; mso-font-width: 105%;\"\u003e, \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #4d4d4d; mso-font-width: 105%;\"\u003eBrittany-who became an elementary school teacher \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #4d4d4d; mso-font-width: 105%; font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;\"\u003e-- \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #4d4d4d; mso-font-width: 105%;\"\u003eintroduced me to her kindergarten class by saying\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #747474; mso-font-width: 105%;\"\u003e, \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #4d4d4d; mso-font-width: 105%;\"\u003e'This is my grandmother-she\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #747474; mso-font-width: 105%;\"\u003e'\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #4d4d4d; mso-font-width: 105%;\"\u003es an artist,\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #747474; mso-font-width: 105%;\"\u003e'\u003cspan style=\"letter-spacing: -.85pt;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #4d4d4d; mso-font-width: 105%;\"\u003ethat was when I truly felt I was an \u003cspan style=\"letter-spacing: -.1pt;\"\u003eartist.\"\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoBodyText\" style=\"text-indent: .1pt; line-height: 120%; margin: 10.5pt 2.2pt .0001pt 4.1pt;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #4d4d4d; mso-font-width: 105%;\"\u003eOur mother, Mary Melton\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #747474; mso-font-width: 105%;\"\u003e, \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #4d4d4d; mso-font-width: 105%;\"\u003ewas an\u003cspan style=\"letter-spacing: -.25pt;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eartist whose creativity touched every part of our lives and\u003cspan style=\"letter-spacing: -.1pt;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003ethose of\u003cspan style=\"letter-spacing: -.05pt;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eher dear friends and the love of her life\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #747474; mso-font-width: 105%;\"\u003e, \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #4d4d4d; mso-font-width: 105%;\"\u003eher husband\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #747474; mso-font-width: 105%;\"\u003e, \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #4d4d4d; mso-font-width: 105%;\"\u003eNelson\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #747474; mso-font-width: 105%;\"\u003e.\u003cspan style=\"letter-spacing: -.4pt;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #4d4d4d; mso-font-width: 105%;\"\u003eThrough her passion for art\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #747474; mso-font-width: 105%;\"\u003e, \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #4d4d4d; mso-font-width: 105%;\"\u003eshe taught us to \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #4d4d4d; mso-font-width: 105%; font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;\"\u003esee\u003cspan style=\"letter-spacing: -.35pt;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #4d4d4d; mso-font-width: 105%;\"\u003ethe\u003cspan style=\"letter-spacing: -.4pt;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eworld\u003cspan style=\"letter-spacing: -.05pt;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003ewith\u003cspan style=\"letter-spacing: -.45pt;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003ewonder\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #747474; mso-font-width: 105%;\"\u003e,\u003cspan style=\"letter-spacing: -.35pt;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #4d4d4d; mso-font-width: 105%;\"\u003eto\u003cspan style=\"letter-spacing: -.3pt;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003enotice color, light,\u003cspan style=\"letter-spacing: -.3pt;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eand beauty \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #4d4d4d; mso-font-width: 105%; font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;\"\u003ein \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #4d4d4d; mso-font-width: 105%;\"\u003eeven the\u003cspan style=\"letter-spacing: -.05pt;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003esmallest \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #4d4d4d; mso-font-width: 105%; font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;\"\u003emoments\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #747474; mso-font-width: 105%; font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;\"\u003e.\u003cspan style=\"letter-spacing: -.7pt;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #4d4d4d; mso-font-width: 105%;\"\u003eHer\u003cspan style=\"letter-spacing: -.25pt;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003ededication to her craft\u003cspan style=\"letter-spacing: -.2pt;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eleft\u003cspan style=\"letter-spacing: -.2pt;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #4d4d4d; mso-font-width: 105%; font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;\"\u003ea\u003cspan style=\"letter-spacing: -.3pt;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #4d4d4d; mso-font-width: 105%;\"\u003elasting impression on\u003cspan style=\"letter-spacing: -.05pt;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eall\u003cspan style=\"letter-spacing: -.4pt;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eof\u003cspan style=\"letter-spacing: -.4pt;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eus\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #747474; mso-font-width: 105%;\"\u003e, \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #4d4d4d; mso-font-width: 105%;\"\u003einspiring each\u003cspan style=\"letter-spacing: -.25pt;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eof\u003cspan style=\"letter-spacing: -.15pt;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eus\u003cspan style=\"letter-spacing: -.2pt;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eto\u003cspan style=\"letter-spacing: -.3pt;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eexpress ourselves and\u003cspan style=\"letter-spacing: -.05pt;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eto\u003cspan style=\"letter-spacing: -.3pt;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eapproach life with imagination and heart. Her artistic spirit continues to live\u003cspan style=\"letter-spacing: -.25pt;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eon in all of us\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #747474; mso-font-width: 105%;\"\u003e,\u003cspan style=\"letter-spacing: -.1pt;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #4d4d4d; mso-font-width: 105%; font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;\"\u003ea \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #4d4d4d; mso-font-width: 105%;\"\u003ebeautiful legacy that colors our memories and our lives\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #747474; mso-font-width: 105%;\"\u003e, \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #4d4d4d; mso-font-width: 105%;\"\u003ejust as art will do\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #747474; mso-font-width: 105%;\"\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoBodyText\" style=\"text-indent: .1pt; line-height: 120%; margin: 10.5pt 2.2pt .0001pt 4.1pt;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #747474; mso-font-width: 105%;\"\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0780\/8101\/files\/Mary-Melton-9-683x1024.jpg?v=1769014642\" alt=\"\" width=\"232\" height=\"348\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[],"url":"https:\/\/www.crossroadsartcenter.com\/collections\/mary-melton.oembed","provider":"Crossroads Art Center","version":"1.0","type":"link"}