Melissa grew up in Raleigh, NC and attended Women’s College at Greensboro, where she earned a degree in fine arts and painting.  Being a woman of adventure, she moved to New York City where she became a Rockette and danced at Radio City Music Hall.

Melissa’s talents included print making, painting, and quilting.  Her woodblock prints, oil and acrylic paintings were shown regionally.  But that curiosity and love of learning never subsided in Melissa and she expanded her skills to water color painting in recent years. Melissa's painting collection is left with her daughter Alissa Sammarco. For more information, contact the gallery.