Melissa Guerrero Contasti

Visual Artist, Photographer & Educator | Miami, Florida

Instagram: @theobserver_meli

Education

• Bachelor of Fine Arts in Fashion Design, The Art Institute (2012)

• Doctor of Medicine (General Physician), Escuela José María Vargas, Universidad Central de

Venezuela, Caracas (2008)

• Continuing Studies: Roberto Mata School of Photography (Miami); Penumbra Foundation

(NYC); International Center of Photography (NYC); TBW Books (Mexico); The Chico Review 24,25

• Advanced practice in alternative processes: cyanotype, anthotype, lumen prints, chlorophyll

prints, Mordançage

Professional Experience

• Photography Instructor, St. Philip’s Episcopal Parish School, Miami (2023–Present). Visual

literacy and photography for grades 2–5.

• Teaching Artist, Kravis Center West Palm Beach in partnership with FotoKids Guatemala (Seasonal). Portraiture

and documentary photography for grades 5–6.

• Workshop Creator & Instructor, Roberto Mata School of Photography (2025–Present). Courses

include Vernacular Photography; The Radical Image & The Women’s Gaze; Photography

Basics; Creativity & Visual Authorship.

• Guest Lecturer, Roberto Mata School of Photography (Basics II & III).

• Community collaborations with Miami-Dade Public Library System (16mm Archive Film Projection Initiative).

• Collaborations with cultural institutions including Coral Gables Cinema, Miami Symphony Orchestra and Kravis Center.

Selected Group Exhibitions

• WOPHA Group Exhibition, Barry University, Miami (2026)

• Women’s History Month Exhibition, Monad, New York City (2026)

• WOPHA: The Photobook as Object (2024)

• Penumbra Foundation x Lomography Exhibition, New York (2024)

Awards & Recognitions

• First Place, Calle Ocho Festival Photography Competition, Roberto Mata School of

Photography (Double Exposure Series)

• Third Place, Roberto Mata School of Photography Competition (Still Life Series)

• Penumbra Foundation x Lomography

Publications & Press

• Hyperallergic feature, WOPHA: The Photobook as Object

• Magazine publications (India) for fashion and cultural clients

• Art Deco Miami Week/ India (2025) publication feature