Meet the Artists in Residence
Meet the Artists in Residence at Follow Your Art! The creatives currently occupying the FYACS studios are painters, mixed-media artists, mosaic artists, fiber artists, and designers.
To see their work in person, visit the Gallery page for upcoming exhibitions and open studios events.
Studio 1
Kim Kent
Since 1986, Kim Kent’s practice in the greater Boston area has been a continuous exploration of the world around her and the various facets of her own creative personality. Her work is divided between two distinct impulses: the desire to capture the tranquility of a moment and the drive to tell stories through physical objects. By integrating found objects and metalwork, she creates assemblages and "critters" that allow for narrative, social commentary, and humor. While her paintings offer a sense of peace, these mixed-media pieces provide a playful outlet for storytelling. Ultimately, she creates because the process brings her joy, and she uses a diverse range of media to reflect the multifaceted nature of the human experience.
Alissa Onigman
Alissa Onigman has been going mosaics as a hobby for tens years in her off time from her job as a CFO of a startup. She has loved stained glass for decades which led to her mosaic hobby. Alissa has learned a lot from the artists at Mosaic Oasis and continues to go there for advice on her projects.
Eileen Barrett
Coming soon!
Studio 2
Stephanie Couchell
Stephanie Couchell creates custom, special occasion dresses and gowns, as well as elevated everyday wear. In addition, she takes on alterations that sometimes include repurposing garments that hold a special memory into current, wearable pieces. Her work offers elegant, timeless fashion to the modern-day wearer. Effortless in its simplicity and powerful in its quality and attention to detail. Follow her work on Instagram @stephanie_couchell
Studio 3
Kristen Byrne
Kristen Byrne is a jeweler and photographer. She has been part of Follow Your Art Community Studios as a facilitator and studio artist since the beginning.
Natalie Isbitsky
Natalie Isbitsky creates unique crochet pieces including hats, headbands, scarves, wreaths, blankets, and baby clothes. These pieces feature yarns with beautiful colors and often have interesting textures and/or a bit of sparkle. Follow her work on Poshmark @nadrian1609 and on Instagram @ElvisFan58
Kerry Pegoraro
Kerry Pegoraro is a self-taught abstract artist who has been working in Melrose for over ten years. She works primarily in acrylic paint and also in printmaking. Most of her work is dedicated to exploring patterns and the juxtaposition of organic and geometric elements. Follow her work on Facebook and Instagram @kerrypegorarofineart
Studio 4
Jennifer Blesso
Jennifer Blesso is a mixed media artist. She works primarily in acrylics, layering and working up colors with a variety of mark making tools and collage material. Using symbols such as ladders, soup bowls, or wings, Jennifer explores personal themes such as escape, female empowerment, and the absurd. She exhibits her work locally. Her influences are kitsch, abstract expressionism, street art, and the alphabet. Jennifer received her B.A. in Art History from Smith College. She is the curator and owner of the Free Little Art Gallery Melrose where anyone can share art, take art, or see art. You can see more of her work @jenniferblesso
Sara Rose Gravante
Sara Rose Gravante celebrates her passion for depicting reality to the abstract in response to the landscape through art. The landscape of the image - forms, marks and colors - all become doors to open with visual exploration and explanation. While inspired foremost by the natural world, Sara is also fascinated and influenced by how maps, graphs and other information systems show other perspectives. Each work represents one way of seeing and further serves to reveal what is next to explore. Art making is Sara's chosen personal narrative to share and for all to choose the next moment in the story. Sara also teaches and is the Gallery Manager at Follow Your Art Community Studios. Follow her work on Instagram @sgravante9
Studio 5
Tamara Kenney
Tamara Kenney specializes in bridal alterations as well as bridal redesign, being the busiest during the months of April through October. Custom christening gowns made from wedding gowns bring her the most joy, using as much detail from the original gown incorporated into her new design. She takes on other alterations and special requests as time allows throughout the year. For more information or to book an appointment visit her website at www.fashionsbytamara.com or follow Fashions by Tamara on Facebook and Instagram.
Studio 6
David Winkler
David Winkler is an artist living in Melrose. For over 15 years he has focused his paintings on the study and interpretation of landscapes. His collection of works includes both plein air and imagined spaces where the environments are disconnected from human interaction. More of his artwork can be seen on Instagram @davidrwinkler.art