The idea of Art Habit came about when Ananda and Marisol were discussing the idea that visual artists as professionals must do it all. Conceptualize, produce, create, then showcase, market, and sell their art works. We don't go to a dentist for a tooth ache and expect them to treat our vision issues. As important as it is to be well rounded, people work better when they focus on their specialties.

Our goal at Art Habit is to provide support, so artists can be their best at art making.

Ananda, as a meticulous arts manager and curator, organizes each detail of a project and exhibition until it is completed. Marisol, as an artist and spiritual guide, provides insight on following your own path and creating a structure to  successfully do it so. Together, their expertises reach a wide range, allowing them to assist in many levels.

The Art Habit team

Ananda DeMello, Founder and Director, received her Bachelor’s Degree in Communications with a concentration in Public Relations and a minor in Sociology from Florida International University in Miami, Fl. After completing her degree, Ananda started to work as artist liaison and curator in various alternative art exhibitions in Miami, Fl. In 2010, she worked as Public Relations Director for My Private Art Club, an artist run gallery and studio space based out of New York. During this time she also interned at the Bernice Steinbaum Gallery hosting exhibition openings and working with the artists. Bernice continues to be an important mentor in Ananda’s life. In her commercial art world experience, she worked for Miami based art dealer, Harvey Oxenberg, managing represented artists, as well as participating at numerous international art fairs. To widen her expertise, she joined Bakehouse Art Complex, a non-profit studio and exhibition space for over 50 artists, as Director of Exhibitions. There she was responsible for the coordination and management over 20 annual exhibitions held both internally and at outside institutions, overseeing both temporary projects and major installations at other museums/galleries. She was also responsible for the organization of monthly programming events and fund-raisers for members and the community. She played a pivotal role in the creation of development goals and objectives, and was responsible for the curatorial organization, authorship and execution of exhibition projects. In the summer of 2014, she stepped down from her position to focus on her studies. She is currently working on her Masters thesis in Communication with a specialization in Arts Management from St. Thomas University, where she was granted Graduate and Teaching Assistantship.

Marisol C. Medina – Director, pursued a Bachelor’s degree in Visual Arts from Miami International University of Art and Design in 2008. During this time she worked at S.A.R Events, a fine catering full-service event production and meeting planning company specializing in private and corporate events. In 2011, she interned at the Curators Voice Arts Project gallery with Dr. Milagros Bello. Her responsibilities included control of inventory of outgoing and incoming art works, assisting with curatorial duties, manage external communication with collectors, overlooking the galleries social media platforms, hosting monthly exhibition openings, translating and presenting art talks at the gallery as well as during Art Basel Miami Beach. Soon after graduation in 2012, she began working at the Bakehouse Art Complex, a non-profit studio and exhibition space for over 50 artists. As the Associate Director of Administration, Marisol works alongside the accountant and Executive Director managing the organization’s bookkeeping, such as recording financial transactions, gathering details for annual audit, and assisting with human resources. She handles all admistrative tasks, which includes accounts payable. In her position, she is also responsible for the juried application process necessary to join the residency. She prepares and manages the leases of all the studio spaces. Her presence is vital to hosting monthly events and exhibition, as is her assistance with related documents. As an artist, she was able to grow from the daily exchange with local artists. In 2013, Marisol developed a new series of joyous and colorful paintings, which were born out of her theory that the presence of positive images in an environment inspires happy feelings and well-being. In early 2014, Marisol developed Color Me Happy, a project from her current practice and studies on spiritualism and metaphysics.