MELISSA ABERCROMBIE
PUBLIC ART SPECIALIST
Melissa Abercrombie is a creative fueled by community engagement. She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Painting and Printmaking from San Francisco State University and brings artistic vision, passion, and civic commitment to every project. Her tenure as chair of the Petaluma Public Art Committee, along with service on multiple city commissions, informs her work as a Public Art Specialist focused on integrating art into public spaces and expanding opportunities for artists and residents to engage in creative expression.
Melissa’s leadership is reflected in her contributions to a diverse portfolio of public art projects that animate the City of Petaluma and strengthen its cultural identity. As the staff liaison to the Petaluma Public Art Committee, she has guided the Lucchesi Skatepark Public Art RFP for an upcoming youth-centered installation. She project-managed Scent Me Back, a narrative mural by Rough Edge Collective at the Petaluma Teen Center that connects memory and place, and oversaw the selection and installation of Slough Birds, an environmental artwork honoring local ecology by Jonny Hirschmugl. She also partnered with artist Michael Garlington to develop True Heart of Petaluma: Ode to the Petaluma Fairgrounds #1, a photo mural celebrating civic pride during a period of transition at the Fairgrounds. Additionally, she project-managed Woven Stories, an installation by Rude Calderón and Roberto Delgado amplifying Native community voices on a junior high campus.
In December 2024, Melissa helped bring Naga, a 22-foot-tall sea serpent originally designed for Burning Man, to the Petaluma Fairgrounds. The striking installation by artist Cjay Roughgarden captivated the community. She leveraged studio space at the Fairgrounds in exchange for the temporary public display of the sculpture prior to its installation in San Francisco. Her collaborative approach—working with artists across disciplines, experience levels, and budget scales—ensures projects are meaningful, site-responsive, and well executed.
Beyond major public artworks, Melissa oversees holiday lighting and decorative installations that enliven public spaces and strengthen seasonal traditions. For more than 15 years, she has produced craft shows and cultural events that support creativity and community connection. Her communications expertise further enhances each project through compelling content, strong visuals, and effective press materials that increase public understanding of the jurisdiction’s creative initiatives.
Office: North Bay