Melissa McGill, (born in Rhode Island, 1969) is a New York based interdisciplinary artist known for ambitious, collaborative, site specific public art projects. They take the form of site-specific, immersive experiences that explore nuanced conversations between land, water, sustainable traditions, and the interconnectedness of all living things. At the heart of her work is a focus on community, meaningful shared experiences and lasting impact. Spanning a variety of media including performance, photography, painting, drawing, sculpture, sound, light, video and immersive installation, McGill has presented both independent public art projects and solo exhibitions nationally and internationally since 1991. She lives in Lenapehoking (Beacon, New York).

Her recent endeavor, Red Regatta (2019), was an independent public art project that activated Venice’s lagoon and canals with four unprecedented large-scale regattas of traditional vela al terzo sailboats hoisted with hand-painted red sails, presented in collaboration with Associazione Vela al Terzo Venezia, co-organized by Magazzino Italian Art. In the Waves (2021) was a series of collaborative performances presented by Art&Newport that moved over the landscape in Newport Rhode Island evoking the urgency of rising sea levels and a rapidly changing climate with an ensemble of local community members. The artist invited members of the local community to join the ensemble of this inclusive movement-based public artwork to create a shared meaningful experience about these environmental themes. Her land art project, Constellation (2015-2017), installed on an island in the Hudson River, lit each night creating a new constellation transforming The Bannerman Castle ruin. She has been exhibiting her artwork nationally and internationally since 1991, and additional recent projects include Canaletto and Melissa McGill: Performance and Panorama, 2022, The Lightbox, United Kingdom; Palmas, 2014, Manitoga, Garrison, New York ; The Campi, 2018, Venice, Italy, as well as solo exhibitions at The Permanent Mission of Italy at the United Nations, New York organized by Magazzino Italian Art; Mazzoleni London-Torino; TOTAH, New York; White Cube, London; Power House, Memphis; Palazzo Capello, Venice; and CRG Gallery, New York. She is a graduate of The Rhode Island School of Design, a member of the Lenape Center Advisory Council, and a National Endowment of the Arts ArtWorks Grant recipient. In 2022 she was awarded the Helena Rowe Metcalf Visionary Award by the Rhode Island School of Design Alumni Association.


Education

1991 BFA with Honors, Rhode Island School of Design, Providence, RI


SELECTED SOLO EXHIBITIONS

2022

TOTAH, New York, NY, CURRENTS

2021

Art & Newport, Newport, RI, In the Waves

Mazzoleni, London, UK, Melissa McGill: In Venice

2020
TOTAH, New York, NY, Red Regatta: riflessi
Garrison Institute, Garrison, NY, Here and Now (Lenapehoking)

2019
Venice, Italy, Red Regatta
Permanent Mission of Italy at the United Nations, New York, NY, Red Regatta Preview
TOTAH, New York, NY, Campo Box (Santa Maria Nova)
Magazzino Italian Art, Cold Spring, NY, Melissa McGill: Red Regatta

2018
No. 3 Reading Room, Beacon, NY, Reverse Punctuation Constellations: A collaboration between by artist Melissa McGill and writer Sam Anderson
David Weeks Studio, New York, NY, Light & Space


2017
Studio Scatturin (designed by Carlo Scarpa), Venice, Italy, The Campi
Ca’ Tron- Università Iuav di Venezia, Venice, Italy, The Campi
Giorgio Mastinu Fine Art, Venice Italy, The Campi


2016
Princeton Architectural Press’ Paper + Goods Gallery, Hudson, New York, Reverse Constellation Punctuation

2015-17
Bannerman Island, Hudson Highlands State Park, NY, Constellation


2014
Manitoga, Russel Wright Center, Garrison, NY, Palmas


2012
Mad Dooley Gallery, Beacon, NY, Recent Projects


2006
Skestos Gabriele Gallery, Chicago, IL, Slip Side


2004
Power House, Memphis, TN, Melissa McGill: Otherside
Rebecca Ibel Gallery, Columbus, OH, The Othersiders
Galleria Marabini, Bologna, Italy, Shadows and Othersiders


2003
White Cube, London, UK, Melissa McGill: Antipodes (publication)
CRG Gallery, New York, NY, Melissa McGill(booklet)


2000
Susanne Hilberry Gallery, Birmingham, MI, Melissa McGill


1999
CRG Gallery, New York, NY, Melissa McGill
Anthony Meier Fine Arts, San Francisco, CA, Melissa McGill
Susanne Hilberry Gallery, Birmingham, MI, Melissa McGill Sculpture


1997
CRG Gallery, New York, NY, Myths, Inflections and Innuendoes


1996
Boesky & Callery Fine Art, New York, NY, Melissa McGill


1995
Real Art Ways, Hartford, CT, Melissa McGill


1993
Palazzo Capello, Venice, Italy, Melissa McGill


1990
Ox-Bow Gallery, Saugatuck, MI, Melissa McGill


SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS


2024

TOTAH, New York, NY, Clockwise

2022

The Lightbox, Woking, UK, Canaletto and Melissa McGill: Performance and Panorama
Vacheron Constantin, New York, NY, These Waters

2020
TOTAH, New York, NY, The Shadow

2019
Mana Contemporary, Jersey City, NJ, I Shall Tell Only What I Want To Tell

2017
Athens Library, Athens, NY, Athens Laundry (curated by Sarah Butler)
Missoni, New York, NY, Salotto “Angela Missoni” (presented by Missoni and Kreemart)


2015
Zabludowicz Collection, London, UK, Partial Presence


2012
Nancy Margolis Gallery, New York, NY, Permanent Collection
Howland Cultural Center, Beacon, NY, Some Girls of Beacon


2011
CRG Gallery, New York, NY, Summer Sculpture Show


2010
Catherine Konner Sculpture Park at ROCA, Nyack, NY, The Ins and the Outs
176 Zabludowicz Collection, London, UK, The Library of Babel, In and Out of Place


2005
Compton Verney, Warwickshire, UK, Only Make-Believe: Ways of Playing
Rebecca Ibel Gallery, Columbus, OH, Fabulous


2004
Parakeet Salon, Brooklyn, NY


2003
Neuberger Museum of Art, Purchase, NY, Breathless


2002
The Olympic Tower, CUNY, New York, NY, Re-Cast: Postmodern Classical
CRG Gallery, New York, NY, Group Show
Parakeet Salon, Brooklyn, NY


2001
Art In General, New York, NY, Material Whirled (curated by Laura Lobdell)
Rebecca Ibel Gallery, Columbus, OH, Reflection


2000
Norrtalje Konsthall, Norrtalje, Sweden, Se Stacera Sono Qui…


1999
Murray Guy, New York, NY, The Sea / The Sea


1998
Robert Miller Gallery, New York, NY, Rubber


1997
Helman Gallery, New York, NY, Invited
CRG Gallery, New York, NY, Summer Group Show
Kunstnernes Hus, Olso, Norway, Laying Low


1996
Cesena-Cesenatico, Bologna, Italy, Adicere Animos
CRG, New York, NY, La Toilette de Venus: Women and Mirrors,


1995
E. F. Vandam, New York, NY, Delving and Tinkering


1993
Museum van Hedendaagse Kunst, Ghent, Belgium, Rendez(-)Vous


BIBLIOGRAPHY

2022

Carey, Brainard. “Melissa McGill.” Museum of Invisible Art, WYBCX Yale Radio, 24 December 2022.

2021

Marius, Marley. “In Newport, an Entrancing Performance Piece Responds to the Rising Seas.” Vogue, 24 August 2021.

Guadagnino, Kate. “A Performance Piece that Pairs Painted Waves Alongside Real Ones.” The New York Times, 23 August 2021.


2020
Dykstra, Jean. “FOCUS ON: MELISSA MCGILL, RED REGATTA,” photograph mag, 17 March 2020.
Da, Mengna. “Melissa McGill Red Regatta: riflessi,” The Brooklyn Rail, 26 February 2020.
Cascone, Sarah. “Editor’s Picks: 21 Things Not to Miss in New York’s Art World This Week,” artnet, 24 February 2020.


2019
Rockefeller, Susan. “Melissa McGill addresses climate change and mass tourism in Venice with Red Regatta.”  Musings, 3 October 2019.
“Cinquantadue barche con le vele rosse, l’opera d’arte naviga a Venezia.” Corriere Tv, 1 July 2019.
“La Storia Delle 50 Barche Rosse Che Navigano Davanti A Venezia (Per Un Ottimo Motivo).” Elle Décor Italia, 14 June 2019.
Angelopoulou, Sofia Lekka. “Melissa Mcgill Choreographs 50 Traditional Sailboats with Red Sails in the Venetian Lagoon.” Designboom, 12 June 2019.
Site Editor. “Red Alert.” The Highlands Current, 9 June 2019.
Felsenthal, Julia. “Red Alert.” Vogue, May 2019, pp. 74.
Ramani, Sandra. “From the Biennale to the Boat Show: The Ultimate Venice Summer Guide.” Robb Report, 14 May 2019.
Cutillo, Roberta. “Venetian Tradition and Sustainability: The Laguna Goes Red.” iItaly, 13 May 2019.
Hawlin, Thea. “The Best Things to See at the 2019 Venice Biennale.” AnOther Magazine, 13 May 2019.
Bozzato, Fabio. “La regata delle vele d’arte di Melissa Rosse come un «sos» per la città.” Corriere Del Veneto, 12 May 2019, pp. 7.
Cardona, Tullio. “Uno spettacolo di 52 velerosse per la salvaguardia della laguna.” Il Gazzettino, 12 May 2019, pp. 34.
Mantengoli, Vera. ”Cinquantadue tonalità di rosso La regata si tinge di passione.” La Nuova Di Venezia e Mestre, 12 May 2019, pp. 37.
“Arte: Red Regatta, a Venezia 52 vele rosse per città e ambiente.” Ansa.it Lifestyle, 12 May 2019.
“La Red Regatta come opera per la Biennale di Venezia.” Vela Veneta, 12 May 2019.
“Red Regatta, a Venezia vele rosse per citta’ e ambiente.” Ansa.it Video, 12 May 2019.
“Red Regatta Venezia Cinquantadue vele rosse a tagliare l’orizzonte della laguna.” Il Gazzettino, 12 May 2019, pp. 55.
“Arte: Melissa McGill, i miei rossi per la vita di Venezia.” Ansa.it Lifestyle, 11 May 2019.
“La Red Regatta di Melissa McGill.” La Nuova Di Venezia e Mestre, 11 May 2019.
“Red Regatta, a Venezia 52 vele rosse.” Il Giornale di Vicenza, 11 May 2019.
“Red Regatta, a Venezia 52 vele rosse.” Ansa.it Cultura, 11 May 2019.
“Spettacolare Regata a Venezia. 52 barche dalle vele rosse tingono la Laguna.” ArtsLife, 11 May 2019.
Campbell-Johnston, Rachel. “Is the Venice Biennale sinking like La Serenissima?” The Sunday Times, 10 May 2019.
Cascone, Sarah. “This Artist Has Tapped Into Venice’s Rich Maritime History With 100 Hand-Painted Sails That Will Float Through Venice During the Biennale.” ArtNet, 10 May 2019.
Levitt, Ella. “Science and Magic: Environmental Impact at the Biennale.” Cultured Magazine, 10 May 2019.
Gasparon, Marta. “Cinquantadue vele al terzo tinte di rosso Omaggio alla laguna.” Il Gazzettino, 9 May 2019, pp. 53.
Lowry, Vicky. “Galerie’s Guide to the 2019 Venice Biennale.” Galerie Magazine, 8 May 2019.
“FIFTY-EIGHTH VENICE BIENNALE TO OPEN SATURDAY.” Artforum, 8 May 2019.
“Whitewaller Venice 2019: What to See.” Whitewall, 8 May 2019.
Ronchi, Giulia. “50 imbarcazioni rosse a Venezia: Red Regatta è la performance collettiva di Melissa McGill.” Artribune, 7 May 2019.
“Melissa McGill, Red Regatta making of – Biennale di Venezia 2019.” Artribune TV, 7 May 2019.
Lipton, Gabrielle and Tang, Ming Chung. “CULTURE: Not your normal fleet week.” Global Landscape News, 6 May 2019.
“Arte a Venezia: iniziano i ‘tempi interessanti’.” Metropolitano, 6 May 2019.
D’Antonio, Cristina. “Biennale di Venezia 2019: cosa vedere.” GQ Italia, 30 April 2019.
Bozzato, Fabio. “La mia regatta veneziana con 52 sfumature de rosso.” La Lettura, Corriere Della Sera, 21 April 2019, pp. 37.
Meier, Allison C. “Everything You Need to Know About the 2019 Venice Biennale.” Afar, 8 April 2019.
Baldini, Alessandra. “Italy and Magazzino for Italian Art present Melissa McGill’s Red Regatta ahead of Venice Biennale.” Onuitalia, 24 March 2019.
“At the Venice Biennale, a Fleet of 50 Red Sailboats Will Take Aim at Climate Change.” Frieze, 28 January 2019.
Armstrong, Annie. “At This Year’s Venice Biennale, Blood-Red Regattas Aim to Remind Attendees of Environmental Threats to the City.” ArtNews, 25 January 2019.


2017
MacSweeney, Eve. “Taking in the Scene at the 2017 Venice Bienniale.” Vogue, 16 May 2017.
Corbetta, Adelaide. “Bienniale: Viva Arte Viva, Diario di Viaggio Tra Cose da Vedere e Altre da Sentire.” Marie Claire, 15 May 2017.
Farago, Jason. “Venice Notebook: Samplers from a Bienniale Banquet.” The New York Times, 14 May 2017.


2016
Rubbini, Alice. “Constellation – Melissa McGill.” AARTIC, 16 July 2016.
Pechman, Alexandra. “Five Things to do in Hudson.” Visionaire, June 2016.
“Get up close to castle ruins, see Constellation.” Poughkeepsie Journal, 5 May 2016.
Lindsey, Erin. “A Visit to Bannerman Castle on Pollepel Island.” Escape Brooklyn, 4 May 2016.
“Constellation by Melissa McGill.” FLOS, 17 February 2016.
Fischer, Adelaide. “Constellation.” Regional Arts Victoria, 15 February 2016.


2015
Shan, Karen Maserjian. “’Constellation’ shines light on Bannerman Castle.” Poughkeepsie Journal, 10 October 2015.
Morris, Susan. “On View> Glimmering Light Installation Recalls the Destroyed Baronial Towers of Bannerman’s Castle Near New York City.” Architect’s Newspaper, 4 August 2015.
Ebony, David. “Destination Art: Melissa McGill’s Hudson River Constellation.” Art in America, 3 August 2015.
Block, Annie. “At One With The Stars: Melissa McGill Installs Constellation Above New York’s Bannerman Castle.” Interior Design, 31 July 2015.
Meier, Allison. “Bringing a Constellation Down to Earth at a Ruined Castle on the Hudson.” Hyperallergic, 28 July 2015.
Indrisek, Scott. “5 Must-See Shows in New York.” ArtInfo, 22 July 2015.
Small, Rachel. “Stars Across Time.” Interview Magazine, 21 July 2015.
Cohen, Alina. “In a Ruined New York Castle, a Constellation Appears.” Travel & Leisure, 13 July 2015.
LaDuke, Sarah. “Seventeen Stars Added To The Multitudes: Melissa McGill’s ‘Constellation’.” WAMC/BBC World Service Radio, 11 July 2015.
“’Starry Skies ‘Constellation,’ a sculptural installation by artist Melissa McGill, shines new light on the ruins of Bannerman Castle.” National Trust for Historic Preservation Stories, 9 July 2015.
Brooks, Katherine. “Here’s A List Of All The Unconventional Art New Yorkers Need To See This Summer.” The Huffington Post, 8 July 2015.
Evangelist, Gittel. “Beacon artist’s vision turns Bannerman Castle into light show.” Times Herald-Record, 5 July 2015.
Patterson, Elizabeth, “Melissa McGill’s Constellation.” Visionaire, 1 July 2015.
Felsenthal, Julia. “Artist Melissa McGill’s Constellation Brings the Stars Down to Earth.” Vogue, 29 June 2015.
McBride, Kelly. “Noteworthy: Constellation at Bannerman Castle.” Curator Magazine, 29 June 2015.
Kaufmann, Sebastian. “This Summer, Take a Kayak Tour to See Melissa McGill’s ‘Constellation’.” The Observer, 28 June 2015.
Braine, Bill. “Melissa McGill, ‘Constellation’.” Hudson Heartland, 27 June 2015.
Hirsch, Michele Lent. “An Abandoned Island Now Glows Star-Bright Under a New Constellation.” Smithsonian.com, 26 June 2015.
Cascone, Sarah. “Melissa McGill’s Stunning Starlight Artwork Floats Above a Castle on the Hudson.” ArtNet, 25 June 2015.
Loos, Ted. “A ‘Constellation’ of Light Above the Ruins of Bannerman Castle.” The New York Times, 24 June 2015.
Corbett, Rachel. “Art lights up the skies over the Hudson.” The Art Newspaper, 2 June 2015.
Sparrow. “Stars Fell on Pollepel.” Chronogram Magazine, 1 June 2015.  Mendelsohn, Meredith. “Melissa McGill’s Art Installation Traces the Outline of a Crumbling Castle.” Architectural Digest, 31 May 2015.
Chung, Becky. “A New Constellation Rises Over the Hudson River.” The Creators Project, 30 March 2015.


2014
“New Constellation To Emerge Over The Hudson.” WIGWAM: a home economy journal, 19 May 2014.
Rooney, Alison. “Manitoga’s Creative Experimentation Legacy Inspires Artist Residencies.” Philipstown.info, 11 May 2014.
Simpson, Dana. “Support The Arts: ‘Constellation’ A Major New Public Art Project.” Hammertown Blog, 30 April 2014.


2013
Lipton, Amy. “‘Constellation’ Artwork to Illuminate Bannerman Castle.” Philipstown.info, 30 October 2013.


2011
Stark, David. “Coffee Talk: Melissa McGill.” David Stark Sketchbook, 25 April 2011.


2006
Kovats, Tania, Editor. “The Drawing Book: A Survey of Drawing: The Primary Means Of Expression.” Black Dog Press, 2006.
Artner, Alan. “Melissa McGill at Skestos Gabriele Gallery.” Chicago Tribune, 3 March 2006.


2005
Schumacher, Mary Louise. “Cast in Clay.” Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 5 September 2005.
Harris, Natalie. “Melissa McGill at The Powerhouse Otherside.” Number, 1 December 2005.


2004
Koeppel, Fredric. “Grace and Serenity, Inside-Out.” Memphis Playbook, 19 November 2004, pp. 30.
Yates, Christopher A. “Unlikely Pairing Results In Strong, Divergent Shows.” The Columbus Dispatch, 27 June 2004, pp. F3.


2003
Baker, Simon. Edited by Louise Neri. “Hands Holding the Void.” Antipodes: Inside the White Cube, 2003.
Goddard, Donald. New York Art World. 1 April 2003.
Mitchell, Claire. “Inside Job.” NYLON, 1 April 2003.


2002
Lapidus, Rachel. “Concentrating on Air: Melissa McGill’s Instances (The Three Graces).” Exhibition Catalog, 2002.


2001
Starker, Melissa. “Here’s Looking at You…” Columbus Alive, 10 May 2001.


1999
Heartney, Eleanor. “Melissa McGill at CRG.” Art in America, 1 September 1999.
Tysh, George. “Two Cool.” MetroTimes, 4 August 1999.
Cohen, Keri Guten. “Melissa McGill-Review.” Detroit Free Press, 20 June 1999.
Spaid, Sue. “Slugs and Fuzz.” Village Voice, 9 March 1999, pp.133.
Johnson, Ken. “Melissa McGill-Review.” The New York Times, 5 March 1999.
Bonetti, David. “Boomerang.” Gallery Watch/San Francisco Examiner, 5 February 1999.


1998
Glueck, Grace. “The Antithesis of Minimalism’s Cool Geometry: Fleshy Rubber.” The New York Times, 13 February 1998.
Kino, Carol. “Rubber: Robert Miller Gallery.” Time Out New York, 26 February 1998.
Levin, Kim. “Rubber.” The Village Voice, 17 February 1998.
Whitney, Scott. “Rubber.” The New York Post, 7 February 1998.
Nahas, Dominique. “Rubber.” Review, February 1998.
Thorkildsen, Asmund, Laying Low, Kunstnernes Hus Olso, Norway (catalogue).


1997
Arning, Bill. “Melissa McGill at CRG Gallery.” Art in America, 1 September 1997.


1996
Stevens, Mark. “Shining Stars.” New York Magazine, 23 September 1996.
McClure, Lissa. “La Toilette de Venus:Women and Mirrors.” Review Art, 15 September 1996.
Rubbini, Alice. Adicere Animos, Bologna, Italy (exhibition catalogue), 1996.


1995
Rosoff, Patricia. “Take the Real Art Ways Plunge.” Hartford Advocate, 6 April 1995.
Zoilkowski, Thad. “The Via Via.” Real Art Ways, Hartford, March 1995 (exhibition essay).


PUBLICATIONS


2021

Red Regatta, Melissa McGill, Marsilio, Venice, Italy

2020
Red Regatta: riflessi, TOTAH, New York, NY


2015
Constellation, Princeton Architectural Press, New Haven, CT


2003
Antipodes, Inside the White Cube, White Cube, London, UK
Melissa McGill, CRG Gallery, New York, NY


SELECTED COLLECTIONS


JP Morgan Chase Art Collection, NY
Cleveland Museum of Art, OH
Angela Missoni, Italy
Isaac Mizrahi, NY
OlnickSpanu/Magazzino Italian Art Foundation, Cold Spring, NY
Kauffman Repetto, NY
Mazzolini Art Collection, London, UK and Italy
Williams College Museum of Art, MA
Zabludowicz Collection, London, UK
Barbara and Al Siemer, NY
Anna Marie and Robert F. Shapiro, NY
Ron Pizzuti, OH
Dana & Giancarlo Olgiati, Switzerland
Peter Norton, NY
Darwin and Geri Reedy, MN


AWARDS AND RESIDENCIES

2022 Helena Adelia Rowe Metcalf Visionary Award awarded by the Rhode Island School of Design Alumni Association
2020 Gold Level Certification for Red Regatta awarded by Sailors for the Sea/Oceana

2019 Magazzino Italian Art Foundation for Red Regatta

2016 The Easter Foundation
Peter and Carmen Lucia Buck Foundation
Lulu and Leo Fund, Programming Grant
2015 Art Works Grant, National Endowment for the Arts

Lulu and Leo Fund, Artist Grant
Freedman Family Fund
The Easter Foundation
Peter and Carmen Lucia Buck Foundation
The O’Grady Foundation

2014 Artist Residency Program, Manitoga, Russel Wright Center, Garrison, NY
2013 Boomerang Fund for Artists, Rockville, MD
2004 Arts/Industry Residency, John Michael Kohler Arts Center, Kohler, WI

Wheaton Studio Residency, Wheaton Village, New Jersey
2003 Residency, Fundacion Valparaiso, Almeria, Spain
2002 Arts/Industry Residency, John Michael Kohler Arts Center, Kohler, WI
1999 The CAC/Guggenheim Artist Residency Grant
1996 Art Matters
1990 Ox-Bow Fellowship, The Art Institute of Chicago, Saugatuck, Michigan Sylvie Leslie Young Herman Scholarship