Melissa Tevere graduated in 1988 from Tyler School of Art with her BFA in painting. While there, she spent a semester abroad in Rome, Italy, where she developed a love of the landscape. In 1987, she was awarded a fellowship to study at Yale University's Summer Art and Music Program. For seven years, Melissa managed a fine art gallery in San Francisco, California, before returning to Philadelphia to pursue her own career in the arts. In 2005, she founded the local artist's group, MamaCita, a Mother's Cooperative in the Arts (www.mamacitaarts.com). Melissa is a member of the Cheltenham Art Center's Board of Directors and she is a member of ArtSisters. She is also the mother of two small children.