Meet the Faculty: Melanie Fedorowicz

Lifelong artist Melanie Fedorowicz is new to Brewster’s Fine Arts faculty, bringing 18 years of art teaching experience to her role. Passionate about helping students discover their creative voice, Ms. Fedorowicz enjoys teaching all ages and sharing her love of art history, diverse cultures, and varied techniques. We sat down to get to know this dancing painter, traveling reader, and singing baker from Keene, N.H. by way of Boston a little bit better!

Q. Easy stuff first: We heard you like to sing and are not afraid to jump on a karaoke stage. What’s your go-to karaoke song when there’s a mic in hand?

A. This so depends on the vibe and crowd, but “Zombie” by The Cranberries is one I always keep in my back pocket!

Q. What attracted you to Brewster?

A. Its team approach to education, where collaboration and connection are at the core of what we do. I admire the Brewster Model, its core values and what those philosophies can bring to our students. Meeting students where they’re at and supporting them to be their best selves through thoughtful and meaningful curriculum and approaches that fit different types of learners and varied interests is really incredible.

Q. And Keene is where you began teaching, correct?

A. Yes. I started teaching Visual Art at Keene High School in 2007. While working, I pursued my Masters of Art in Education at UMass Amherst. In 2020, I started K-8 art teaching at Chesterfield School in Chesterfield, N.H.

Q. And you’ll hit your 20th anniversary as an art teacher here at Brewster!

A. Yes I will. I’ve always loved making art and knew I wanted a career where I got to share that passion and joy with others. I took many education courses while at UNH but then decided to pursue Museum Education out of college. My love of art history and learning and teaching about different cultures and artists is evident in my classroom. I enjoy teaching learners of all ages, small children to retired adults, myriad artistic techniques and to find something in themselves they didn’t see before. My biggest joy is watching students take pride in their work and grow creatively and artistically.

Q. What do you say to a student who says "I don't have any art skills. I'm not creative."

A. We all have the potential to be creative, just many have lost it. I always say, start with something you love as an inspiration for your own work and, when in doubt, draw a dragon...I meet students where they're at, give them the skills and tools they need to be successful and improve, and give a lot of positive and meaningful formative feedback.

Q. And have you seen that turnaround in your students?

A. I have taught the full range, K-12 and beyond, and it never ceases to amaze how different we all are, yet how similar at the same time. Recently, I taught art at a camp for students with cognitive and/or physical differences. One student, who had limited verbal expression, told his aide he didn't like art…really didn't like art. After our first session, he and his aide came up to me and told me that he loves art and can't wait to make it tomorrow. It's examples like this that keep me doing what I'm doing.

Q. Which art medium or technique do you personally find most relaxing to work with?

A. Watercolor paint—you can create small watercolor studies, which can be done on the go or in a short period of time, which I like.

Q. Do you remember a piece of art or a moment when you realized, “I want to be an artist”?

A. I remember creating a large figurative painting my senior year in high school that started to show my own style. I thought, this is really something I want to do when I'm older! I began making more paintings in that style showing my work around Keene.

Q. If you could spend a day with any artist, past or present, who would it be and why?

A. Oh, this is a really hard one but I would have to say Frida Kahlo. She was such an interesting and influential female artist who really pushed the boundaries and subject matter for her time. She was very eccentric and intelligent and it would be so fun to walk around her Casa Azul in Mexico City with all of her animals she kept and cared for.

Q. What’s your favorite place you’ve traveled to, and did it inspire any art projects?

A. Italy holds a special place in my heart for so many reasons. My mom's side is Italian so I've always been drawn to Italy for ancestral reasons in addition to the art and beauty. I also studied abroad there in college and took high school students there while at Keene High School. Recently, I went with my whole family—my kids, parents, sisters, and niece and I actually painted a few paintings from photos I took on that trip. Most of my work focuses on places I've traveled both solo or with family or friends.

Q. You’ve got a full house with your husband, young daughters, a pooch, and two cats! How do you spend what little downtime you have?

A. When I’m not working, I love to spend time with family and friends, paint, bake, be outside walking or lounging with a good book, travel, and try as many gluten-free pastries as I can find. You know I love to sing, and you will often find me out on a dance floor!

Q. Very important final question: What is your go-to pizza order?

A. Well, I am gluten free, but there are some excellent choices out there. If I'm at home, it's 100% Against the Grain's frozen Pesto Pizza and if I'm out, I usually go for a classic pepperoni.