Melissa Schwindenhammer

Melissa Schwindenhammer is an artist, mother, and teacher who has called Tucson home for nearly 40 years. She finds joy in the creative process and the unexpected moments it reveals. She works in many art forms, from painting in watercolor and pastel to shaping clay, fusing glass, and fiber arts. Her work is expressive, reflective, and often abstract. She is currently deepening her practice through Neurographica training, exploring the connection between creativity and inner growth.

As an art teacher for 21 years, Melissa loves fostering creativity, encouraging students to embrace mistakes, and trusting the process. She believes creativity is something we all carry inside, waiting to be revealed. Her teaching is rooted in play, reflection, and discovery, reminding us that art, like life, is about letting go and seeing what emerges.

Outside the classroom, Melissa draws inspiration from the Tucson desert, walking trails in search of clay, experimenting with new techniques, and learning from local artists who keep her playful spirit alive. Her work brings together reflection, social awareness, spiritual formation, and dedication to community, using creativity as a bridge between inner life and the world around us. She has led workshops and events exploring joy, remembrance, and belonging through artmaking, inviting participants to slow down, honor their stories, and connect through shared creation. She also enjoys guiding collaborative glass and ceramic art installations that nurture relationships and celebrate community connectedness.

Melissa spent years in Tucson teaching women’s and prenatal yoga. Her study of yoga, meditation, and doula training deepened her reverence for growth, transformation, and the creative power within us all.