A Participatory Painting weaves our shared expressions of humanity, fostering a more profound sense of connection, authenticity, and a collective vision for a brighter, united future.

Welcome

This is a space where art meets connection

where stories are painted into life, and creativity becomes a bridge for insight,

collaboration, and meaningful transformation.

I’m Melanie Schambach, a social artist and facilitator. For over 20 years, I’ve partnered with communities, organizations, and institutions to translate lived experience into visual form.

Whether you're looking to capture memories in image, build knowledge through arts-based research, or create a large-scale artwork to share a story with broader impact, you're in the right place. Maybe you’re dreaming up a collaborative piece for an event, seeking deeper community engagement, or wanting to dive into a subject with your group.

Wherever your direction is, we design the experience with you.

Art Experiences

It may look like we are painting -

but it's so much more.

It’s a process for strengthening relationships, translating complex stories into visual insight, recording collective memory, and building alignment across teams and communities.

VISIT

PORTFOLIO

Over 20 years, we’ve engaged 10,000+ people across 150+ partnerships—co-creating everything from one-day pop-ups to multi-year journeys. Whether on-site or virtual, this portfolio shows how the process adapts to many contexts.

VISIT

Participatory Painting Projects

Participatory Painting Projects are multi-session, large-scale artworks co-created with your group. Through guided storytelling, visual prompts, and collaborative exercises, participants help shape the themes, imagery, and meaning of the final piece. The result is a powerful visual story that reflects your community’s voices, memories, and imagination in a lasting, collective artwork. MORE...

In-House Artshops

Artist in Residence workshops are custom-designed creative sessions hosted in your space or at a venue we help you find. Each multi-media workshop blends guided play, reflection, and hands-on artmaking to spark insight and connection within your group. Whether you’re building teamwork, exploring a theme, or simply wanting to create together, these experiences are designed to adapt to your goals. MORE...

Pop-Up Collage Activations

Pop-Up Collage Activations bring a flexible, drop-in creative space to any event. Participants contribute at their own pace, using images, textures, and words to express ideas or respond to your theme. The result is a lively, collective collage that captures the energy and voices of the moment. MORE...