ABOUT MISS MELLO
Cait Mello joined Mingei International Museum as Creative Director in October 2024 , aligning her core personal belief in an inclusive approach to art with her work at San Diego’s museum of Folk Art, Craft and Design in Balboa Park.
“Mingei Museum is dedicated to furthering the understanding of art of the people (mingei) from all eras and cultures of the world. This art shares a direct simplicity and reflects joy in making, by hand, useful objects of timeless beauty that are satisfying to the human spirit. The Museum collects, conserves, and exhibits these arts of daily life – by unknown craftspeople of ancient times, from traditional cultures of past and present and by historical and contemporary designers.”
As Creative Director, Miss Mello has the privilege of bringing a seasonal rotation of exhibitions to life through environmental design. Utilizing digital and print design with brand strategy - she leads the marketing and design team in engaging and inspiring hundreds of visitors in Balboa Park every day - and bringing new members into the fold through brand recognition and content development.
Caitlin moved to San Diego from Nashville, TN - after working nationwide as the Creative Community Partner for global brands such as IHG Hotels & Resorts, DoorDash and Beam/Suntory at We Are Rosie, and serving as the Creative Director for Nashville’s Major League Soccer team (Nashville SC) for their first three seasons .
At Nashville SC, she took creative strategy beyond the field, engaging the community through soccer. She is especially proud of including the work of over 60+ local artists featured in the environmental design of the new 30K seat stadium- stretching the brand, championing and curating one of the most inclusive local art and sport initiatives in the world.
Miss Mello, not only works on her art practice- she works to cultivate partnerships, and connect other creatives with dynamic, inclusive opportunities and keeps time carved out for community projects from murals to after school programs to serving as a resident working artist in the Metro Public School system. She serves on the board of the North Nashville Arts Coalition, as a judge in the Scholastic Art Competition and was named Nashville’s 2023 Creative Arts Innovator by Creative Girls Rock. Caitlin is committed to collaborative, community-lead energy into all aspects of her professional and artistic life.
With a degree in journalism from the University of Maryland College of Journalism, Cait started her career working for Urban Latino and Allure Magazine. She continues her love of editorial and fashion, and has worked in creative capacities from fashion to sports to digital media agencies and nonprofit organizations. Caitlin credits her creativity to the experiences and prolific people she met living in Los Angeles, Brooklyn, Barcelona, Cuzco and eventually back to her roots with the most inspiring artists in her hometown of Nashville. She is excited to start a new creative adventure in San Diego this Summer of 2024. Her fine art was recognized by Nashville Arts Magazine in 2018, and was featured in a pop up block printing show at The Frist Art Museum collaborating with EXO:DUS artist Elisheba Israel Mrozik on the Blood at the Root exhibit.
Outside of work, you can find Miss Mello on her way to the ocean with Marley, her 16-year-old-daughter and greatest love. She is fluent in Spanish; loves Pablo Neruda, red lipstick and a perfect juicy mango.
EMAIL CAITLIN if you're interested in commissioning original artwork, illustrations, logo design, a mural or a community art project… and anything in between.
“She’s extremely hard working, very organized, and absolutely willing to do anything to elevate a project creatively or even the most trivial request. She is always in good spirits, and a team player- completely dedicated to the job, staying late and paying attention to every detail. ”
“Caitlin is fast, talented and a the absolute best to work with. She created work we are proud of, and most importantly, boosts our business. She is both creative and a good communicator. A rare combination that makes her invaluable to her clients.”
“Cait has that rare balance of right and left hemisphere. She is incredibly creative – aesthetically and in problem solving – while also very organized and goal-oriented.”
“We took my business to another level with the production and launch of a new website with eCommerce capabilities and Caitlin lead the way. ”
“Caitlin has a very innovative and creative mind. Her concepts and designs are most impressive. Regardless the of the topic, she comes up with several ideas, which are without fail, on target. On a Communications and Marketing team, she does not hesitate to take on a project and improve it. She is simply the best.”
“Cait is so creative and talented , but more impressive than anything is that she does it with, and for, the community. She is always thinking about how to be more inclusive, more collaborative, connect and lift up younger creatives while stading solidly behind them. ”