Guitta Melki

B. 19--, Lebanon

Guitta Melki has spent over 20 years living in the USA, where she earned multiple degrees in business, fine arts, ceramics, and fiber arts, including an M.F.A. in Textile Design from The Savannah College of Art and Design. She is a versatile individual who works in various fields and media, often simultaneously.

During her 12-year career in textile design, she gained extensive experience teaching visual arts at several institutions. Guitta has also designed and created jewelry under "The Melki Way" brand and founded "Heart Works Arts and Crafts Studio." Her fiber, ceramic, and jewelry works have been exhibited in the US, Lebanon, and Egypt.

After working in textile design at a firm in North Carolina for eleven years, Guitta reignited her passion for ceramics in 2008 when she joined Clay-works studios in Charlotte, NC. With her background as a designer for the industry, she possesses profound knowledge of woven textile design and production for residential and hospitality markets.

At Notre Dame University, Guitta established the ceramic class and currently teaches ceramics, textiles for fashion, and design foundation classes at both Notre Dame University and the Lebanese American University.

About her Work

Guitta Melki has a passion for ceramics, an ancient medium that often reminds her of the creation phenomenon described in the Bible, where man was formed from dust in the image of his creator. Similarly, she finds herself sculpting vessels in the form of abstracted figures, drawing inspiration from the foot, waist, neck, shoulders, or hands of classical pottery forms. In many cases, she creates a complementary companion or partner for each vessel, enhancing their presence. She also designs and crafts wearable accessories.

Her ceramic works heavily draw from the amphora, a prevalent motif in ancient Phoenician art, composing a tribute to the old world she considers "home."

Samir Mueller

Hussein Madi