Melody Gulick cuts and pastes.

You’ve probably admired Melody’s work: She’s the genius behind Anthropologie’s organic, ever-changing displays. A graduate of the Art Institute of Chicago and winner of a 2007 VMFA Mixed-Media Fellowship, Melody finds inspiration in humble materials.  She bends pipe-cleaners into coral reefs, snips blackbirds from construction-paper, and builds tree-houses from pallet crates.

“I love transforming mundane things like bubble wrap and wood shims. Everything here is handmade—it has to look like someone touched it.”

Arriving in Richmond from L.A. in 2002, Melody took a sales position with the retailer. “Art projects come and go; I figured I needed a day job.” When Anthropologie executives discovered her talent, they tapped Melody as the Stony Point store’s full-time artist.  “Each store has an artist on staff; so they all look a little different.” Richmond, she’s discovered, welcomes creative professionals. “We have a large, supportive art community in Richmond; people look out for each other.”