Local Artist Melody Lewis Showcases Artwork at Effingham Public Library
The work of local artist Melody Lewis is on display through September 28th in the art gallery at the Suzette Brumleve Memorial Effingham Public Library.
Born and raised in Effingham County, Melody left Illinois shortly after college and spent 23 years in Orlando, Florida, followed by nine years in Northern California. In 2024, she returned home to Effingham County, reconnecting with the community where her story began.
“I have always doodled since childhood,” Lewis said. “I accepted any blank space as a personal challenge that the space needed to be filled.”
Over the years, painting remained a creative outlet. Her artistic projects ranged from painting school play backdrops and signage to creating a beloved cartoon character on a hot rod for her father. One particularly memorable project involved painting an entire school bus for a martial arts school.
It wasn’t until she was 50 years old, after her children had grown and begun their own lives, that painting once again became a central part of her life.
“I took a paint class and it ignited that old flame in me,” she said. “It made me realize I once had a passion for painting.”
Today, Melody draws inspiration from beauty, simplicity and nature. A photograph, scene or moment that evokes an emotion can be enough to spark an idea.
“Anytime I see a photo or something that stirs an emotion in me, I think, ‘Could I paint that?’” she said. “Could I do it justice? Even if I can’t, I do my best to recreate it onto the canvas with my twist to capture that emotion.”
For Lewis, art is more than an image on a canvas. It can serve as a starting point for conversation and an opportunity for people to experience something through the artist’s eyes.
“Art is a statement piece for people to open a conversation,” she said. “The artist is putting it out there, knowing it will be judged—some good, some bad—making it extremely personal. We understand it’s not for everyone. No one ever sees it the way we see it.”
While artists may create for many different reasons, Melody keeps her focus simple: capturing the beauty she sees in the world and sharing it with others.
The art exhibit is free and a library card is not required to view the exhibit.
Contact Art Gallery/Technical Services Coordinator Oran Colwell at 217-342-2464
ext. 405 or oran@effinghamlibrary.org for more information.
