2026.10.16 The Muse

Nestled within the western gateway of the Shawnee National Forest, lives artist Mel Watkin. Her work has been showcased nationally, with solo exhibitions at the Franklin Furnace Archives in New York and the Hyde Park Art Center in Chicago, among others. Watkin holds a BA from Bennington College and an MFA from the University of Montana. Her art often focuses on environmental themes, and she has been recognized with numerous grants and residencies, including a recent Franklin Furnace/Xeno Prize and an FY22 Illinois Arts Council Artist Fellowship.

Mel received an FY26 CPG grant for her newly released Notebook of Notes , which consists of 66 individual drawings and texts spread across 143 pages, focusing on environmental issues through sketches and quotes from various media. She is working on a new series titled Beauty is a Beast , which explores the impact of invasive plant species accelerated by climate change. These drawings are completed on handmade paper pulped from old bank statements, demonstrating her commitment to reusing materials with historical significance. Watkin is also participating in the Not Just Another Pretty Face triennial exhibition at the Hyde Park Art Center, which opens on December 11. Her drawings, influenced by the Shawnee National Forest, are also currently on display at the Alto Pass Vineyard through December 30.

Reflecting on the support provided by the Illinois Arts Council, Mel shares, "The importance of IAC support for artists and arts organizations can't be underestimated, especially in my rural area. I live 5 1/2 hours south of Chicago-almost in Kentucky-surrounded by the Shawnee National Forest. Notebook of Notes, a major artist's book, years in the making, would never have happened without IAC funding."