I am exhibiting my large-scale paper work "Gravitational Lensing" alongside some brand new pieces that were also inspired by the astronomical phenomenon of the same name.

2021 Cannon Invitational
Nov. 13, 2021 – Feb. 5, 2022
Opening Reception:
Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021, 5–7 p.m. Free

Gallery Hours:

Tues. - Thurs. noon to 7pm

Fri. & Sat. noon to 5pm

1775 Dove Lane
Carlsbad, CA 92011

Oceanside Museum of Art
July 17 - November 7
704 Pier View Way, Oceanside, CA 92054
www.oma-online.org/walter

"In Smallest of Places, my work considers the development of DNA analysis in relation to forensic science—the application of science to criminal and civil laws. The use of DNA analysis, invented in the 1980s, has led to the exoneration of hundreds of people incarcerated for crimes they did not commit—sometimes decades after being found guilty. It has also exonerated thousands more, removing people from suspect lists before even being charged.

The subject raises the specter of rampant issues in the United States: unreliable eyewitness accounts, police coercion, and inadequate legal representation, as well as the innocent people who become suspects, or are even convicted, because of these systemic problems. While DNA analysis is not useful in all cases, it is a tool that can continue to push our legal system toward balance and equity. Yet there is still much more work to be done in order to achieve a truly just system.

This exhibition explores the three main stages in development of DNA analysis used to process criminal evidence, which began in the 1990s. The works provide an abstracted visual interpretation of elements in these processes. The mark-making techniques move from visceral to more precise, reflecting the evolution in accuracy as the technology has developed. However, evidence of labor remains, which suggests the human fallibility that continues to exist in the field, no matter how far it has advanced.

Smallest of Places provides a glimpse into the science behind these processes and, ultimately, cultivates conversation around equity in the criminal justice system."

–Artist Melissa Walter

HOURS
THURSDAY–SATURDAY
11:00am–5:00pm

(Members Only 11:00am–12:00pm)

SUNDAY
11:00am–4:00pm

(Members Only 11:00am–12:00pm)

SDAI and Bread & Salt co-present SD Practice, a public art exhibition of the acquired artworks by the City of San Diego (City) through the recent initiative of the same name. Co-organized with the City’s Commission for Arts and Culture, the exhibition will showcase the nearly 100 artworks purchased in support of the local arts ecosystem during the COVID-19 pandemic.

On view collectively for the first time at SDAI and Bread & Salt, these works reflect recent developments in local artistic practice, representing works acquired in 2021 through the City’s SD Practice initiative for the Civic Art Collection and funded through the bequest of art collector Thomas O. Rasmussen. As a sampling of the diverse practices pursued by San Diego artists, this exhibition reaffirms institutional interest in supporting local artists and publicly exhibiting contemporary art for all to enjoy.

The presentation of the SD Practice exhibition at SDAI is co-curated by Lux Art Institute’s Executive Director, Andrew Utt and Associate Curator, Guusje Sanders.

Opening Reception
Join us Saturday, July 10th from 4-6pm at SDAI and 6-8pm at Bread & Salt for the opening reception of SD Practice! Purchase tickets here.

SD Practice Exhibition artists include: Andrew Alcasid, Trevor Amery*, Farshid Bazmandegan*, Doris Bittar*, Kelsey Brookes, Manuelita Brown*, Juan Cabrera, Claudia Cano*, Carlos Castro*, Alida Cervantes*, John Chang, Andrea Chung*, Cognate Collective*, Hugo Crosthwaite*, scott b. davis*, Marianela de la Hoz*, Danielle Dean, Thomas Driscoll, Bill Feeney, Victoria Fu*, Kaori Fukuyama, Christian Garcia-Olivo, Lorena Gómez Mostajo, Sofia Gonzales*, Chitra Gopalakrishnan*, Kimberly Heard*, Matthew Hebert, John Brinton Hogan*, Huai Li*, Terri Hughes-Oelrich, Lisa Hutton, Janelle Iglesias, Beliz Iristay, Angie Jennings*, Amanda Kachadoorian, Yasmine Kasem, Debby and Larry Kline*, Alexander Kohnke, Aleya Lanteigne, John Oliver Lewis*, Omar Lopex*, Jean Lowe*, Wendy Maruyama, Brad Maxey*, Jessica McCambly, Bhavna Mehta, Stephen Milner, John Mireles*, Nina Montejano*, Michelle Moore, Francisco Morales, William Mosely, Anne Mudge, Nikko Mueller, Michael Mulno, Timothy Murdoch, Kristin Nason*, Nassem Navab-Gojrati*, Margaret Noble, Ingram Ober*, Tatiana Ortiz-Rubio, Cat Chiu Phillips*, Scott Polach, Christina Ree*, Marisol Rendon*, Matt Rich*, Brianna Rigg, Griselda Rosas, Katie Ruiz, Philipp Scholz Rittermann*, Lynn Schutte, Reinhart Selvik*, Jason Sherry*, Charles Snowden*, Eva Struble*, Kline Swonger, Joshua Tonies, Mario Torero*, Maya VanderSchuit*, Perry Vasquez*, Ruth Wallen*, Melissa Walter*, Rebecca Webb*, David White*, Allison Wiese*, Duke Windsor, Chantal Wnuk*, Joe Yorty*

* Indicates artists on view at SDAI. All other artists will be shown at Bread & Salt, except Kline Swonger which will be on view at the San Diego International Airport.

Thumbprint Gallery
920 Kline Street, La Jolla, CA 92037

opening reception: June 12th at 5pm - 10pm
open: Saturdays, Noon - 4pm and by appointment
p: +1-858-354-6294
info(at)thumbprintgallery.com

William D Cannon Gallery
1775 Dove Ln, Carlsbad, CA 92011
Tues & Thurs: 11am-7pm
Wed, Fri & Sat: 11am-5pm
Sun & Mon: Closed

Small Gestures
Opening Reception: Thursday, October 17th – 12:00pm - 4:00pm
Artist Talk: 1:00pm

Closing Reception: Saturday, November 9th – 1:00pm - 3:00pm

Gallery Hours:
Mon/Tues/Fri: 10:00am - 4:00pm
Weds: 12:00pm - 8:00pm
Thurs: 10:00am - 8:00pm

Boehm Gallery
Palomar College
1140 W Mission Rd, San Marcos, California 92069
(760) 744 -1150

Take a look into the abstracted views of the world (and beyond) from the eyes of four emerging artists; Melissa Walter, Chantel Wnuk, Eddie Aispuro, and Andrew Alcasid. Boehm Gallery will be hosting an opening reception on Thursday, Oct. 17th and a closing reception on Saturday, November 9th, and have regular gallery hours throughout the week (see listing above).

Art San Diego: A contemporary art fair
San Diego Convention Center
Hall E
111 W Harbor Dr.
San Diego, CA 92101

IMPACT NIGHT: AN EXCLUSIVE PREVIEW
Thursday, October 10 | 5:00pm – 9:00pm
By Invitation Only

FIRST LOOK FREE FRIDAY | MEDIA DAY
Free Admission
Friday, October 11 | 1:00PM - 5:00PM

COLLECTORS' VIP OPENING NIGHT
Friday, October 11 | 6:00PM - 9:00PM

WEEKEND SHOW HOURS
Saturday, October 12 | 12:00PM - 8:00PM
Sunday, October 13 | 12:00PM - 5:00PM

Art San Diego moves to the San Diego Convention Center, Oct. 10–13, 2019, offering art aficionados and collectors an unparalleled opportunity to explore, experience, experiment, and discover. Melissa Walter will be displaying her work at the San Diego Art Prize’s booth (122) as one of the four final nominees for the 2020 San Diego Art Prize. The other artists nominated are Kaori Fukuyama, Griselda Rosas, and Alanna Airitam.

Now in its 13th year, the San Diego Art Prize is presented by the San Diego Visual Arts Network and dedicated to the idea that the visual arts are a necessary and rewarding ingredient of any world-class city and a building block of the lifestyle of its residents. Conceived to promote and encourage dialogue, reflection and social interaction about San Diego’s artistic and cultural life, this annual award honors artistic expression. Four finalists were chosen from a nomination list for an exhibit at Art San Diego in October 2019 and the Athenaeum Music & Arts Library in May of 2020. In May, the winner will be announced.

KAABOO Del Mar
September 12th - September 15th
Del Mar Racetrack + Fairgrounds
2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd, Del Mar, CA 92014
Tickets: https://www.kaaboodelmar.com/get-yours

This will be my fourth year participating in KAABOO Del Mar! This year I will be unveiling a brand new series of work that considers various science topics, theories, and fun facts that I’ve been gravitating toward. Get your tickets today to see this new work and a ton of other great artists that will be exhibiting!

Empedocles’ Ghost at KRÆ syndikatet: Exploring science and mysticism’s forgotten relationship
Opening Reception: Thursday, July 4, 2019, 5:00pm - 8:00pm 
Location: Warehouse9, Copenhagen
Artist Talk: Tuesday, July 9, 2019, 6:00pm 
Closing: Thursday July 11, 2019

Curated by Sean Noyce

Artists: Naja Ryd Ankarfeldt (DK), Michael Carter (US), Jenalee Harmon (US), Alexander Holm (DK), Larry and Debby Kline (US), Sean Noyce (US), Camilla Reyman (DK), Samuel Scharf (US), Katya Usvitsky (US), and Melissa Walter (US)

Performers: Sensorisk Verden (DK), Mycelium (DK), Hydra/Laboratory for Aesthetics and Ecology (DK), Family Underground (DK), 30 Negari (DK), and Orchid Domain (DK)

“The most beautiful emotion we can experience is the mysterious. It is the source of all true art and science.” — Albert Einstein

KRÆ syndikatet and Noysky Projects presents Empedocles’ Ghost, a week-long exhibition and series of performances featuring works that explore the relationship between science and mysticism. Empedocles’ Ghost is a collaboration between artist-run galleries KRÆ syndikatet of Copenhagen and Noysky Projects of Los Angeles. Empedocles’ Ghost is Noysky Projects’ first off-site, international exhibition, which opens at Warehouse9 in Copenhagen.

Scholars have ruminated on the connection between science and spirituality for thousands of years, applying folk pedagogy to explain the complexity of the world. The Greek philosopher Empedocles was one of the first to formalize this concept, stating that the foundation for all matter consisted of earth, wind, fire, and water. Respectively, Buddhist, Egyptian, Babylonian, Hindu, and Chinese scholars also drew connections with the four elements, emphasizing the universal nature of this concept.

But with the widespread implementation of the scientific method, science and religion separated, leaving folk practices like alchemy and esotericism to decline precipitously. The fallout from this schism has fostered the rise of literalism, pitting the definitive logic of science against the ascribed doctrine of religion.

Many of the works in Empedocles’ Ghost reconnect the fields of knowledge with that which is mysterious: Melissa Walter mines from her work as an illustrator for NASA, referencing near-fictional concepts like string theory, dark matter, and gravitational lensing, while Michael Carter’s interactive sculpture based on the methods of the ancient Egyptian harpedonaptai (“rope stretcher”) aligns the earth-bound viewer to the celestial bodies with great precision.

Some link the technology of today with the supernatural: Sean Noyce’s video projection renders data visualizations from sound frequencies of an ancient Greek funeral song, while Jenalee Harmon’s laminated transparent sequential photographs are an ode to time, space, speed, and technology of the Futurists that subtly allude to the hidden entities behind those forces.

Others reference Empedocles’ contribution to science and philosophy: Debby and Larry Kline’s large format pen and ink drawings of the four elements contain the visual language of illuminated manuscripts, while Samuel Scharf’s sculpture alludes to Empedocles’ himself, who was said to have committed suicide by throwing himself into Mount Etna; Scharf playfully invites viewers to toss a period-styled sandal into a ring of cobblestones, loosely referencing the active volcano.

The Grand Small Works Exhibit at La Playa Gallery
Opening Reception: Friday, May 3, 2019, from 5-8 pm
Exhibit Duration: May 3rd - June 7th
Gallery Hours: Monday – Friday, 10:00 am - 4:00 pm

La Playa Gallery
2226 Avenida de la Playa, La Jolla, California 92037

This exhibition focuses on the talents of thirteen San Diego artists, each presenting their unique style in small scale. I will be debuting three new works inspired by the work of Mary Corse.

Participating Artists:
Dan Adams
Maureen Blackhall
Tiffany Bociek
Greg Chapman
Jason Humphrey
Kay Kaplan
Monty Montgomery
Jessica Newman
Erica Putis
Krista Schumacher
Matt Snyder
Melissa Walter
Yuri Kuznetsov

UNFOLDED
Opening Reception: April 13, 2019, 6:00pm - 9:00pm
Visual Gallery
3778 30th Street, San Diego, CA

Exhibit dates: April 13th - May 12th
Hours: Monday - Friday 12pm-7pm
Saturday - Sunday 12pm-5pm

This is the first show at the new Visual Gallery (directly next door to the shop) and features five local, San Diego artists. I will displaying brand new work so don’t miss it!

OPENING RECEPTION: is Saturday March 9th, 2019 from 5:00pm to 10:00pm.
La Bodega Gallery
2196 Logan Ave
San Diego, CA 92113

Gallery Hours: Tuesday - Friday 12:00pm-6:00pm
Show will run till March 18th.

La Bodega Gallery proudly presents “VENUS” AN ALL WOMEN ART EXHIBITION in honor of Women’s History Month and International Women’s Day.

Women’s History Month is an annual declared month that highlights the contributions of women to events in history and contemporary society. It is celebrated during March and corresponds with International Women’s Day on March 8th, Annually in March, thousands of events are held throughout the world to inspire women and celebrate achievements. A global web of rich and diverse local activity connects women from all around the world ranging from political rallies, business conferences, and networking events through to local women’s craft markets, theatric performances, fashion parades, and art exhibitions.

“VENUS” will feature work created by women from all over World. Mediums include oil, watercolor, acrylic, pastel, bronze, mixed media, pencil, photography, fabric, ceramics, glass, etc…

Sounds Provided by Betty Bangs, La Chata, A-Boogie
Live Body Painting by Lidia Ochoa form Fusion Entertainment

Participating Artists :
Aimee Baca @aimeebaca
Alicia Picard @a.picard.art
Allie Desiree Moore @freakazoide777
Amanda Beckham @mandyb.dandy
Amber Gomes @amberdawnart
Amy Owers @amyeowers
Amy Rodriguez @a_rodriguez_art
Andi Benge @andilandart
Ann Lim @annlim_art
Anna Bianco @annabiancoart
Anna Trudo @annatrudoart
Ariella Vaystukh @ariellavaystukhart
Aryana Mohammadi @artbyaryana
Ashley Gallagher @smashleyart
Athina Poda
Bella Harris @bellaharrisart
Betty Bangs @betty_bangs
BreAnne Custodio @brecheese
Brit Dumas @ziggurat.run_______
Britani Graham @masr_grahamm
Brittni Stadler @beezartsylady
Cameo K @ckartistree
Carolina Seth @bighelmethead
Carolyn Rodriguez @caro1035
Carrie Anne Hudson @carriehudson
Cassandra Schramm @cassandraschramm
Cayce Hanalei @hanaleiartworks
Celine Chapus @purpletophat
ChinaCat @chinacat663
Christina Bauer @dontchawish87
Christina Dias @chromaven
Cindy Antoinette @amourinette
Cindy Velasco @cindyvie
Coco Miller @cocomillionz
Cody Huff @codychuff
Cora Crimson @coracrimson
Cori Bartz @corinna_beena
Dahlia Salazar @conejitaxarte
Debbie Vieyra @es.debbie
Denise Godeau @denisegodeau
Desiree Guerrero @artsyfartsydes
Devon Browning @devonabrowning
Diana DeAugustine @diana_deaug
Diana Luckysova Konrad @diana_luckysova
Elena Villalobos @elena_wolfe_art
Emilia Cruz @cruzemilia
Emily Criscuolo @blackwolffleather
Emily Hess @emilycbhess
Emily Taylor Rogers @emilytaylor.artist
Erin Maidman @erinmariemaidman
Erin Schroeder @erinsillart
Esmeralda Robles @artist_esmeralda
Espana Garcia @espanagarcia_art
Estela Gama @estelagamaart
Fabiana Foca @fabiana_foca
Gabi Vega @ilovegaba
Gina Cannella @g_rexx
Giselle Estolano @gis_ellee
Heather Hitchman @heatherhitchman
Ines Nefzi @motorhomenomad
Irene Zepeda @irie_iye
Irina Negulescu @negulescufineart
Itzel Islas @yayitzel
Ivonne Carley @ivonnecarley
Iwatsumi @iwatsumi
Jallena Love @jallenalove
Jamie Dougherty @jamielynndougherty
Jen Fong @fongorama
Jenna Aguon @tattoosbyjenna
Jennifer Cantwell @createyourdaydream
Jennifer Cooksey @after_dark_creations_
Jennifer Lee @pixelcrafter
Jenny Larsen @jennylarsen
Jessi Clayton @jessiclaytonartist
Jessica Krantz @jk.artz
Jessica McFarland @jkat_art
Jessica Newman @jessicanewmanart
Jessica Renee Justus @Jessica.justus.art
Jessica Violetta @jessica_violetta
Jessica Volpe @jessicavolpeart
Jessica Yambao @yambaoski
Joni Nunez @lachicaarte
Julia Gabrielov @juliagabrielov
Juliana Garces @julianagarcesart
Julie Moreno @juliannarose_art
Kaitlyn Alfaro @alfa_kat
Karina Zuniga @zunkphotography
Karla Pereira @karlapereirart
Kathleen Mitchell @kathleenmitchell4801
Kaylene Marie @misskaylenemarie
Kelsi Gallagher @vexedreverie
Kim Navarro @kimdnavarro
Kimberly Lague @kimlaguetattoo
Kristin Freeman @kristinfreemanart
Lana Chromium @lana_chromium
Laura Arango @larango.fotografa
Laura Castellanos @opal_unicorn
Laurie Nasica @losfreedomfries
Lea Barozzi @leabarozzi
Lindy Ivey @olebluehare
Liz Lybrook @liz.creative
Lizzy Falcon @lizzy_falcon
Loren Diane Cummings @lolo_diane
Lucinda Yrene @lamorena_art
Lynn Garrett @emeraldseabijouterie
Maegan Brown @theartofvelvastein
Maira Meza @mmeza1980
Malane Drake @mala_ne
Margaret Morales Guzman @margaretmoralesart
Marisabel Stracciatella @marstracciatella
Marla Sanchez @marlamichell
Mary Jhun @maryjhundandan
Mary Leal @overwhelmary
Megan Frauenhoffer @meganfrau
Meggan Montes @poachedmegg
Melissa Montoya @melim20
Melissa Walter @_melissa.walter_
Melody De Los Cobos @chicanalilly
Michelle Montrose @michellemontrose
Michelle Romero @michelle_lorain
Mitzy Velarde-Agraz
Miz R @miz_r
Monique Kimberly Sugar @kimberlysugarart
Natalie Bessell @nataliebessell
Natasha Teymourian @natashateym
Nikki Basurto @ladyhallows
Ninfa Pacheco @art_by_ninfapacheco
Nuvia Ruland @crisolguerra
Nyxie Von Rose @nyxievonrose
Pamela Jaeger @pamelajaegerart
Paola Viola @_paolaviola_
Patricia Castillo @catdragstudio
Pixie Guzman @pixie_pix_
Priscilla Bree @artiststache
Sabina Espinoza @sabinaindiramx
Samantha Shumaker @shumakerart
Selina Calvo @littleselin
Sheila Noseworthy @ghostridermama
Shelly Franz @shellfranzart
Sierra Hubbard @inked_ann
Simona Candini @simonacandini
Skindiana Bones @skindiana_bones
Somaramos @somaramos
Soni Lopez-Chavez @soni_artist
Sophia Guymer @sophiaguymer
Sunol Golden @sunolgolden
SweetDub @sweetdub
Sya @artofsya
Tayler Shaw @taylerrelyat
Terri Woodward @terriwoodward
Thao Huynh @thaohuynhart
Vanessa Cook @midnight_epiphyllum
Vanessa Eagerton @veagerton
Vanessa Lemen @vanessalemen
Veronica Jaeger @verojaegerart
Vitxy @vitxy

www.labodegagallery.com

"DARK" at Southwestern College Art Gallery
900 Otay Lakes Road
Chula Vista, CA 91910-7297
Opening reception: Thursday, February 7, 2019, 11:00am - 1:00pm 
Talk with curator Perry Vasquez, and artists at 12:00pm
Artist reception: Saturday, February 23, 2019, 1:00pm - 3:00pm
Gallery hours: Monday - Thursday 10:30am - 2:30pm
Show closes: Tuesday, March 5, 2019, after gallery hours

Perhaps you didn't know there is a Bruce Nauman sculpture titled "Dark" in the permanent collection of the Southwestern College Art Gallery. That the sculpture is in the college’s collection owes a lot to two former faculty members, Bob Matheny and John Baldessari. They waged a stout battle in the court of public opinion in order to be able to acquire the piece. Thanks to Bob and John’s advocacy a skeptical administration and public were persuaded and the purchase was authorized.

Today, most art students at Southwestern don’t have a clue what it is or who made it. There is little conversation around the piece and it isn’t taught in art history courses at the college.

We are changing that by putting Dark at the center of an exhibition also titled "Dark".

Curator: Perry Vasquez 
Artists:
Bruce Nauman
Andrew Alcasid
Daniel Barron Corrales 
Thomas DeMello 
Vabianna Santos 
Melissa Walter 

This activity was supported in part by the California Arts Council, a state agency, and the National Arts and Disability Center at the University of California Los Angeles.

Art Gallery is in 710B. Park in visitor 1 hour parking or pay at station in every other lot. Campus map HERE

I'm thrill to announce that I will once again participate in KAABOO Del Mar this year! However, this time I have been given the opportunity to create a large scale sculpture which will be featured in the Artwork building. This piece will only be displayed during the event so grab your tickets while you can. 

September 14 - 16, 2018
Del Mar Fairgrounds
2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd, Del Mar, CA 92014

https://www.kaaboodelmar.com/

Methods for Reaching Extreme Altitudes
May 26 – Sept. 16, 2018 | San Diego Central Library Gallery

Opening Reception: Saturday, May 26, 2018, 12:00pm - 2:00pm
330 Park Blvd, San Diego, CA 92101
9th Floor

Featuring the work of eight San Diego artists exploring space art, ranging from scientific to science fiction and otherworldly curiosities. Artists Adam Belt, Matthew Bradley, Sheena Rae Dowling, Andrew McGranahan, Arzu Ozkal, Cheryl Sorg, Jones von Jonestein, and Melissa Walter traverse the outermost reaches of space through diverse mediums and concepts. Their creativity, paired with their search for knowledge, exemplifies the human desire to understand the world and universe we live in. Open to all, admission free.

Gallery Hours: 
Monday CLOSED
Tuesday 12 PM - 5 PM
Wednesday 12 PM - 5 PM
Thursday 2 PM - 7 PM
Friday 12 PM - 5 PM
Saturday 12 PM - 4 PM
Sunday 12 PM - 4 PM