Creativity in all pursuits

Art and aesthetics in everyday life


My love of art started at a very young age and shapes everything I do, from my hobbies to my hustle, in what I create and how I present myself every day. 

Whether I’m making fine art, designing a logo, baking a cake or simply getting dressed, I take the same care to create something beautiful.

Melissa wearing a rainbow of colors and smiling.

 

Cakes 

Art you can eat


Applying fine art techniques to a very sweet canvas, my cakes are bright, whimsical and one-of-a-kind.

Art & Design

Mixed media, fiber art and graphic design


I experiment in a variety of media, including embroidery, acrylic paint, watercolor, printmaking and more. I am part of the Persisters feminist art collective and create art on themes like politics, health and self love. 

In addition to fine art and crafts, I am a graphic designer, creating branding, posters, promos and illustrations.

See Art

Style 

Self expression through fashion and design


My wardrobe and surroundings reflect my aesthetics and values, with bold, colorful and creative clothes and interior decor.

PROFESSIONAL RESUME

PROFESSIONAL HISTORY

COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR | SERRC (2017-PRESENT)

Drawing on previous communications experience, I returned to SERRC as Communications Director, developing marketing and communications strategy, producing marketing and communications materials and managing all channels of external communications and marketing, as well as internal communications channels. 

OWNER-ARTIST | MELISSA LEEANNE BAKES (2020-PRESENT)

Circumstances and skills aligned during the Pandemic, the perfect recipe for a small home baking business. I specialize in artistic celebration cakes and dabble in French macarons and other confections, utilizing creativity in flavors and designs with fine art techniques, quality ingredients and a desire to inspire a bit of joy. 

CO-OWNER & DESIGNER | PIXEL & PLUME DESIGN CO. (2015-2022)

A longtime dedication to art, practical design skills, and marketing and communications principles inspired the founding of Pixel & Plume, a small design company. We created branding, publications, websites and more for businesses and organizations in Alaska.

PR SPECIALIST | ALASKAN BREWING CO. (2015-2017)

In 2015, I joined the Alaskan Brewing marketing team as a Marketing Specialist, focusing on PR and Communications. Building on my prior communications and journalism experience, I have written press releases, responded to press inquiries, served as a spokesperson, managed social media, produced internal and external newsletters and marketing materials, helped to develop communications goals and plans, organized events and been a key contact for media and consumers.

REPORTER | JUNEAU EMPIRE (2011-2015)

My strong writing and editing skills, along with a keen understanding of the community, landed me the role of Neighbors Editor in 2011 without prior journalism experience. I adapted and thrived, taking on a number of editing and reporting roles over my years with the publication. The respect for deadlines, AP style guidelines and general knowledge gained over those years have been invaluable.

COMMUNICATIONS ASSISTANT | SERRC (2011)

Building on experience in the political campaign field, I worked under the guidance of the Communications Director to write and distribute press releases, create informational materials, keep up correspondence, update the website and manage other duties as assigned.

CAMPAIGN FIELD ORGANIZER | VARIOUS (2008-2010)

During the campaign cycles, I was a field organizer and director for various campaigns, both candidate and cause-based. These roles required direct communication with voters regarding issues pertinent to Alaska. I provided guidance for Southeast Alaska-specific talking points and drafted templates for letters to the editors, phone-banking and canvassing scripts, and spoke at community meetings and events representing the campaigns.

ADMINISTRATIVE & PROGRAM ASSISTANT | VARIOUS (2008-2010)

Outside of the campaign cycles, I provided administrative and program support to local nonprofit organizations on a temporary basis.

EDUCATION HISTORY

Willamette University | 2003-2007

I graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in International Studies and a minor in German. My studies were interdisciplinary and heavy on critical thinking, research and writing. The tenets of my education included politics, economics, history, geography and cross-cultural communication.

PERSONAL HISTORY

I’ve lived in Juneau, Alaska, since spring of 2007, when I fell in love with this place, its beauty and its people. Some of my hobbies include baking, art and time outdoors with my friends and my dog. I volunteer for local organizations, including previous board membership. I co-founded and co-organize an art collective and participate actively in social justice endeavors in my community.

 

 

 

AWARDS

GLAAD Media Award

6 Alaska Press Club Awards

3 Morris Excellence Awards

Volunteer of the Year Award

Kathy Kolkhorst Ruddy Award for Innovation and Inspiration in the Arts

SKILLS AND PROFICIENCIES

  • Writing
  • Editing
  • Research
  • Interviewing
  • Storytelling
  • Reporting
  • Public speaking
  • Photography
  • Graphic design
  • Infographics
  • Illustration
  • Basic animation
  • Web design
  • AP Style
  • InDesign
  • Photoshop
  • Illustrator
  • InCopy
  • Lightroom
  • Premiere Pro / Rush
  • After Effects and Animate
  • Adobe Acrobat
  • Social media
  • Complete publications
  • Basic HTML and CSS
  • Office software
  • Google workspace
  • WordPress
  • Squarespace
  • Organization
  • Systems design
  • Meeting deadlines
  • Project management
  • Strategic Planning