Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Melissa Kreisa. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Melissa, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?

In August of 2019 I opened an art gallery in Capitola with a business partner. When retail shops were shuttered in March of 2020 I worked hard to keep our gallery concept afloat and looked for vacant storefronts across town to showcase artwork in the windows. I reached out to 12 commercial realtors who posted availability on loopnet. I received a response from only one – Lee Slaff. Lee represented the 4,600 square foot vacant store on Front Street in downtown Santa Cruz. I offered to set up a temporary / pop up gallery in her space with a profit share model vs. rent. It turned out Lee was a past President of Arts Council Santa Cruz and was very supportive of my proposal. In June of 2020, I signed a month to month lease and by July, 2020 had transformed the space into an art gallery.

Another note… In 2009, the Santa Cruz Artists Assistance and Relief Fund or SCAARF – was created by local artists Sara Friedlander and Dee Hooker through the ART for ART exhibitions. It began as a fund to support Santa Cruz county artists who experienced a loss which crippled their ability to work. Since then, SCAARF has assisted many local artists facing emergencies. Now 13 years later, Curated by the Sea is proud to help reimagine this fundraising campaign.

This 100% volunteer effort provides emergency grants to local, professional artists in need of special assistance in times of sickness, natural disaster, or unexpected extreme hardship. Donations are tax deductable through our partnership / fiscal sponsor Fractured Atlas.

Melissa, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I was born and raised around Washington, D.C. My love of drawing and painting as a young girl led to a Bachelor of Fine Art degree. During this period I spent summers interning with the medical illustration department at Georgetown University. Later education and career choices took me through graduate school and ten years in the corporate world managing an award winning team of graphic designers, computer artists & animators.
In 1999, I married and left the DC area with a sense of wanderlust. My husband and I started a family abroad – our first child was born in Australia, the second in Paris, France. We eventually returned to the US and settled back in the San Francisco Bay area where our third child was born.

During these years as a young mother in California, I became an advocate. My family provided hospitality and support for newly arrived refugees. The emotional challenge of this work was significant. To find balance, I returned to my roots as a painter. These experiences inspired the ‘Seeker Series’ and I began exploring themes of strength, peace and resilience.
Over the next 10 years, I exhibited my art throughout the US. I worked with local galleries and arts organizations curating, hosting and organizing a variety of exhibitions including: Fibre Arts Design in Palo Alto, Gallery 85 in San Jose, JCO’s Art Haus in Los Gatos and Anne & Mark’s Art Party in San Jose.

A few years ago, my family had another opportunity to live and travel around Europe. I set up a studio in Surrey, England and exhibited with galleries around London. I connected with The Art Agency in Esher (England) where I worked as a gallerist and also exhibited my paintings. The Art Agency continues to represent my work in the UK through gallery exhibits and art fairs.

After three years of traveling, working, painting, and exhibiting in England, we moved back to California and bought a fixer-upper in Santa Cruz. I set up my studio at home and opened the first gallery space in Capitola in August of 2019. I expanded into the gallery in Santa Cruz, in July of 2020 and here we are…

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

In August of 2019 I opened an art gallery in Capitola with a business partner. When retail shops were shuttered in March of 2020 I worked hard to keep our gallery concept afloat and looked for vacant storefronts across town to showcase artwork in the windows. I reached out to 12 commercial realtors who posted availability on loopnet. I received a response from only one – Lee Slaff. Lee represented the 4,600 square foot vacant store on Front Street in downtown Santa Cruz. I offered to set up a temporary / pop up gallery in her space with a profit share model vs. rent. It turned out Lee was a past President of Arts Council Santa Cruz and was very supportive of my proposal. In June of 2020, I signed a month to month lease and by July, 2020 had transformed the space into an art gallery.

Has your business ever had a near-death moment? Would you mind sharing the story?

I moved the gallery to this space during the strange and chaotic summer of 2020. I made a deal with the landlord to share a percent of profit vs rent. Then in year two (2021) I applied for and received rental assistance from the city of Santa Cruz as part of their “Downtown Pops Program” which they ran to help revitalize the downtown area after the covid shutdowns.

In spring of 23 we had the terrible rain and flooding due to the atmospheric rivers. It was a tough start to the year financially and also physically keeping the rain out of the gallery! I was exhausted. In February, owner of the building asked that I sign a year’s lease by March. It was a huge financial committment. I was literally standing in the gallery watching the rain pour down thinking I just didn’t know if I could emotionally, physically or financially sign this lease … and I got a phone call from a generous donor offering to help. The timing was beyond coincidence. She heard my prayers. I am so grateful.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.curatedbythesea.com/
• Instagram: @curatedbythesea
• Facebook: @curatedbythesea

Image Credits
The second picture of the art wall with “Passages” was taken by R.R. Jones