CV

Melissa C. Heilig

Education

Savannah College of Art and Design
Master of Fine Arts (MFA), Painting, degree in-progress, expected 2028
Cameron University, Lawton, OK
Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA), Painting, 8 May 2026


Group Exhibitions

2026 - SIX Perspectives: Cameron University's Senior Art Exhibition, Leslie Powell Gallery, Lawton, OK 

Awards and Juried Exhibitions

2026

  • 56th Annual Goddard Juried Exhibition, Charles B. Goddard Center, Ardmore, OK
     Exhibited My Dog Rex     (Juror: Chris Brizzard)
  • Beyond the Call - Art by Military Service Members, Dependents, and Veterans Juried Exhibition, Suffolk Art Gallery, Suffolk, VA; Exhibited M37 Overlay Study and M37 Subjective Timbre    
  • 21st Annual Great Plains Juried Exhibition, Centre Gallery, Durant, OK; Exhibited Dynamic Ascendence and Natural Defiance (Juror: Suad Bejtovic) 
  • 4th Annual "Wait 5 Minutes" Statewide Juried Art Exhibition, Terra Rosa Gallery, Guthrie, OK; Exhibited Nature's Blades (Juror: Greg Stone)   
  • 7th Annual Cameron University Student Exhibition, Cameron University, Lawton, OK; 2nd Place Award (two-dimensional) for Creative Differences (Juror: Lou Baggett)

2025

  • CTAC Holiday Exhibition, Chisholm Trail Arts Counsel, Duncan, OK
     2nd Place Award (Sculpture) for     Dynamic Ascendence (Juror: Kristine Thueson)

  • CTAC Playbill Art Competition, Chisholm Trail Arts Counsel, Duncan, OK
     Honorable Mention for     The Calm Before

  • 6th Annual Cameron University Student Exhibition, Cameron University, Lawton, OK
     3rd Place Award (Sculpture) for     Dynamic Ascendence (Juror: Gerald Patrick Riley)

  • 55th Annual Goddard Juried Exhibition, Charles B. Goddard Center, Ardmore, OK
     Exhibited     The Calm Before and Purple Hour (Juror: Jason Cytacki)

  • Lawton Farmer’s Market Annual Tomato Festival and Art Competition, Lawton, OK
     Exhibited     The Great Tomato (Juror: Ryn Ortega)

2024

  • Lawton Farmer’s Market Annual Tomato Festival and Art Competition, Lawton, OK
     Exhibited     Fields of Solace (Juror: Greg Erway)

  • 5th Annual Cameron University Student Exhibition, Cameron University, Lawton, OK
     Honorable Mention for     M37 in Complimentary Hues (Juror: Matthew Hughes)

  • 29th Annual International All Media Exhibition, Northwest Arts Center, Minot, ND
     Exhibited     Ephemeral Skies (Juror: Cat Graffam)

Publications

2026 

  • Davidson, Samuel. "CU Senior Art Show Offers Artists' Expressions," The Lawton Constitution, 28 April 2026
  • Brumbelow, Cole. "Cameron Seniors Display Works During Art Showcase, 'SIX Perspectives,'" ABC 7 News, KSWO, 2 April 2026
  • Davidson, Samuel. "CU Senior Art Showcase, 'Six Perspectives,' opens April 4," The Lawton Constitution, 24 March 2026

2025 

  • Chisholm Trail Art Council Annual Playbill, Featured due to Honorable Mention in the 2025 CTAC Playbill Art Competition.

 

Professional Affiliations

Member, Oklahoma Visual Arts Coalition; 2026 - Present

Professional Experience

Teaching Experience

High School Art Teacher, MacArthur High School, Lawton Public Schools, Lawton, OK;  Oklahoma Teaching Certification: In-Progress; Expected Start: August 2026

Military Experience

U.S. Army, Active Duty Enlisted
 2011–2022

  • Medically retired with an honorable discharge after serving as 27D Paralegal Specialist.

  • Brigade Military Justice Paralegal NCOIC
         30th and 31st Air Defense Artillery Brigades, Fort Sill, OK

  • Installation Post-Trial Paralegal NCOIC
         25th Infantry Division, Schofield Barracks, HI

  • Installation Legal Assistance Paralegal NCOIC
         U.S. Army Garrison, Schofield Barracks, HI

  • Brigade Military Justice Paralegal
         31st Air Defense Artillery Brigade, Fort Sill, OK

  • Battalion Paralegal Specialist (Deployment)
         Operation Enduring Freedom, Camp Arifjan, KU

  • Initial Entry Training, Battalion Paralegal Specialist
         31st Air Defense Artillery Brigade, Fort Sill, OK

Military Training

  • Master Resiliency Trainer (2021)

  • Advanced Leaders’ Course (2018)

  • Unit Movement Officer Development and Planning Course (2016)

  • Law for Paralegals Course (2015)

  • Combatives Level 1 (2013)

  • Combat Life Saver’s Course (2012)

  • Advanced Individual Training, 27D Paralegal Specialist (2011)

  • Basic Combat Training (2011)

Military Awards and Decorations

  • Army Commendation Medal (4x)

  • Army Achievement Medal (5x)

  • Army Good Conduct Medal (3x)

  • National Defense Service Medal

  • Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal

  • Global War on Terrorism Service Medal

  • Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon (2x)

  • Army Service Ribbon

  • Overseas Service Ribbon (2x)