Today we’d like to introduce you to Melissa Vogley Woods.
Hi Melissa, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’m an artist working in Columbus, Ohio, and eight years ago, I came across an obscure medium called Scagliola that changed my artistic direction. This art form is scagliola, which originated in the 17th century. It’s a unique blend of plaster, pigments, and glue that, when formed and polished, results in a surface and coloring remarkably resembling marble. In the beginning, I only found a few YouTube videos and images online; it was very difficult to discern how exactly the medium worked; it seemed to be akin to some sort of alchemy. I thought I would never figure it out. The process is virtually unknown in the USA. I had to reach out to artists in various cities in Italy, from large to small in search of information. Feeling encouraged by what I was decoding, I embarked on journeys across the country and to Italy multiple times to unravel its secrets. Thankfully, I encountered generous artists and craftspeople who shared their techniques, inspiring me to invent my version, such as Simone Desiro in the mountain town of Rima. Eight years later, I am now well-versed in scagliola and my work now extends beyond personal artwork to commissions for fellow artists, designers, and architects. In 2022 I was fortunate to be able to establish Madestone Studio, my scagliola fabrication company based in the near East Side of Columbus. Madestone Studio, along with a large staff and the artist, just completed the scagliola work for three, fifteen-foot-tall scagliola-faced sculptures for the artist Beth Stuart for the lobby of the National Bank of Canada’s Quebec headquarters. From crafting intricate jewelry components for the runway to creating larger-than-life public art installations, I’ve had the privilege of serving clients across diverse locations, spanning from Columbus to Montreal and New York City. I strive to maintain a balance between my artistic studio and the business and currently, I am embarking on a new body of work of my own as well as collaborating with colleagues on exciting new scagliola projects.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
When asked about my trajectory, struggles across the art world, and successes. Nothing is ever smooth; doubt and trepidation can greet anyone morning, noon, and night. Facing a blank canvas, an empty page, or the next project can be scary and difficult, especially when taking risks and inviting unknowns into your life. However, that risk is also the thrill, and so far, it’s been good. Steady as she goes, and with the winds willing, I’ll keep on keeping on. Continuing is success for me.
Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Melissa Vogley Woods (she/her) is an American visual artist working in the ancient process of Scagliola that holds a place somewhere between sculpture and painting. She has received a Mass MoCA Residency, Vermont Studio Center Residency, and Wassaic Projects Residency. Her work has been exhibited locally, nationally, and internationally in institutions and art spaces such as the Italian Cultural Institute of New York, Museum of Sisters Aslamazyan in the Armenian Republic, CICA Museum Gimpo-si, Korea, Los Angeles Contemporary Exhibitions, Wexner Center for the Arts, and Columbus Museum of Art. She is active in her community as an artist-curator, organizing exhibitions in Los Angeles, New York, and locally in Columbus, Ohio, where she lives and works.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.madestonestudio.com/ AND https://www.melissavogleywoods.com/
- Instagram: @mevowo and @madestone_studio
Image Credits
Melissa Vogley Woods
