Biography of Melissa Bonin

Melissa Bonin was born and reared in New Iberia, Louisiana. The artist began drawing as soon as she was able to hold a tool in her hand. Her father was a butcher and he gave Melissa her first lessons in anatomy, and at age nine she took an active interest in painting.

At ten Melissa was inspired to take a crocheting class because she loved the colors of the threads and working with her hands. Within a year the aspiring artist was designing crocheted coats and evening gowns for women. Subsequently, Melissa was invited to appear on a television program to promote her unique fashions.

In tenth grade she came under the tutelage of writer James Edmunds who was closely associated with the contemporary New York City art scene. He introduced her to the world outside South Louisiana and encouraged Melissa to pursue her artistic endeavors.

At sixteen she attended the The University of Southwestern Louisiana and studied art with Elemore Morgan, Jr., Herman Mhire, Tom Secrest, and William Moreland. She received a BFA cum laude in painting in 1981. Melissa then traveled to Europe to study fine art and the French language in Angers, Paris, and Southern France. Upon returning to the United States she received a BA cum laude and continued her fine art education at Bennington College and the Massachusetts School of Fine Art.

Along with her studies in art, Melissa studied ballet and performed occasionally with the New Orleans Ballet. Some of her master class dance instructors include members of Erick Hawkins, Polobolus, and the Bolshoi.

In 1994 Melissa opened the Left Bank Gallery in New Iberia along with artists Paul Schexnayder and Kathy Baus. Here, she permanently housed her works of art and also performed live autobiographical one-woman vignettes. Through her affiliation with the gallery she pursued various grant opportunities including programs that combined poetry, performance, and innovative art exhibitions.

Since 1994, the artist has received numerous grants and awards for her artwork and performance projects. Melissa recently completed a 48-foot public mural for the city of New Iberia and produced a film entitled Acadie: Voices and Visions. She has also participated in juried and invitational art exhibits including the Bunk Johnson Festival, Pelicans on Parade, and Palettes and Paté. In 1999, she created a talent program for exceptionally talented children in Iberia Parish along with master teacher of the gifted Judy Huckabay.

Melissa exhibits her paintings throughout the United States and abroad. Her work is in private art collections and has been published in Southern Accents, Louisiana Life, and Artworks magazines. She currently mentors children with exceptional talent in Iberia Parish, where she maintains a professional art studio and gallery.