Melissa Wallen

Melissa Wallen is an arts leader, artist, and curator with over a decade of experience shaping exhibitions and cultural initiatives in Miami. She served as Director of the de la Cruz Collection, where she led operations, programming, and special projects for one of the city’s most prominent private institutions. Most recently, she was Director of Art and Cultural Engagement at the Key Biscayne Community Foundation, overseeing cultural programming and the Knight Art Student Travel Fund. Wallen was named a Knight Arts Champion by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation in recognition of her contributions to Miami’s cultural landscape and is represented as an artist by Baker-Hall Gallery. Melissa received her BFA in painting from Florida International University. At Oolite Arts, she brings extensive expertise with a focus on supporting artists and expanding public access to contemporary art.