Today we’d like to introduce you to Celeste Melgar
Hi Celeste , so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I am a Panamanian artist, writer, poet and entrepreneur. My early arts education started since I was four years old and I joined the arts classes in El Hombre de La Mancha, where I learnt how to paint, draw, and all the materials. Since then there was no way back, I have lived in color and line. I went to college in Savannah College of Art and Design and completed a Bachelors in Fine Arts of Painting with minors in Art History and Business, in the time spent in Savannah I developed my style, soaked inspiration and explored themes. These four years were full of enriching experiences and being surrounded by artist of all mediums truly informed where my work is now, making work that is no longer a uniform surface. In these years Savannah filled me with vibrant opportunities such as being a docent at the SCAD Museum of Art and being a certified small business mentor for SCORE. With both of these roles I engaged with community, learned about the arts, the creative side of developing a business. In 2020, I embarked on a new path of artistic research and development, honing her skills as a curator. Earned multiple certifications in curatorial practices and curated my first solo show in her home country. Since then, I participated in numerous group exhibitions and undertaken international commissions.
Once I graduated from SCAD I worked as an Art Consultant in Wendover Art Group in Tampa, Florida. During the time in Tampa I developed my project management skills, understanding for creative development for specific tastes and setting targets and achieving them effectively. During that time I also worked as a writer for the column La Voz Latina for the Savannah Now Newspaper, which sparked my interest of writing further.
In November 2022, my poetry book “Algo Natural”, which explores human emotions intertwined with the intricate details of nature. The book has been featured in various articles, garnering critical acclaim. In 2024 I have announced that the second book will be coming out and launched by Spring of 2025.
In 2023 I moved to London to complete a Masters in Art Business in Sothebys Art Institute, I have also been working in Amalgama Art, Made in Bed Magezine, Rock & Art Magezine, and Snap Collective which have all brought lush insights of the art world and all the points of view involved.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It has been a curvy road, but I think the obstacles or harsh turns make the big moments shine in a brighter light. I feel the moments of tension have been moments where I have had to push myself, realizing that there is not going to be results if I am not the one pushing the projects through. One of the moments when I have felt this the most is when I was in the process of marketing and pushing the my book’s “Algo Natural” sales. Especially as this was a project that I was passionate about and fully committed to every aspect of the book, from the poems to the cover to the photos and sketches. Therefore finding ways to share the enthusiasm I felt about the book became a challenge especially as a young writer entering the industry.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m delighted to share more about my work. As an art writer, publisher agent, and sales manager, I specialize in merging my deep knowledge of the art market with my passion for contemporary art analysis. Alongside these roles, I am constantly creating my own paintings and poetry. This blend of activities informs and enriches each other, resulting in a well-rounded and dynamic practice.
I am most proud of this intersection where writing about the art market and analyzing contemporary art meets the ongoing creation of my paintings and poetry. This unique combination sets me apart from others, allowing me to offer a multifaceted perspective to my clients and audience.
What are your plans for the future?
As of this year I have found a true passion for blending writing and art becoming more than separate practice. In the present I am completing my dissertation focusing on building an educational tool that discusses how did the art ecosystem in Panamá develop and what is the contemporary art ecosystem in Panamá now. The dissertation will be a project that I will later on expand and make a book that would serve as reference for national and international art entities. Along side this project I am working on the completion of the second book to be published by Spring of 2025, which is a thrill as I have goals for the second book to be even more emotional, lush, vibrant. Lastly I also have a few plans focused on developing the arts in Latin America.
Pricing:
- 20 x 20 = 900 print
- 20 X 30 = 2, 500 painting
Contact Info:
- Website: https://cele2m.wixsite.com/celestemelgar
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cele.melgar
