Our foundation was established to honor the remarkable life and legacy of Melinda Marcus Vooss.  Once you met Melinda, she left an imprint. She was a woman defined by her bright smile, kind heart, generous spirit, unrelenting love of family and friends, and an unwavering passion for teaching.

 

A graduate of Norfolk Collegiate School, she earned a degree in Journalism and Visual Arts from the University of Georgia in 1991. Transitioning from a career in advertising and while raising two young children, she completed her second degree in Art Education from Old Dominion University in 2004. 

 

Her commitment to learning and her love for art came to life throughout her nearly two-decade career as a dedicated educator. She brought energy and high level of personal and professional care to her classrooms at Princess Anne Elementary, Norfolk Collegiate School, and Chesapeake Bay Academy. Melinda would always say that she was not an "arts and crafts" teacher. She saw her role as something much greater by opening her students to the history and range of the creative arts and its place in the everyday world around them. Her focus was on helping students open their eyes and minds to discover their own inner artist, while nurturing confidence and self-expression. Melinda's approach to teaching was defined by her ability to bring joy and excitement into her lessons, inspiring countless young minds to embrace their own creativity.

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Her love for creating didn’t stop at the classroom. In 2018, Melinda took on a new challenge, opening a DIY studio franchise, Board and Brush, in Norfolk, VA. Standing proudly as she cut the yellow ribbon in front of her storefront was a testament to her entrepreneurial spirit and her belief in the power of art to bring people together. Thousands of children and adults benefited from her guided workshops to create their own artwork and decor items for their homes.

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Melinda's impact extended beyond her professional life. She was a devoted wife, mother, daughter, sister, aunt, friend, and neighbor. Her strength, perseverance, and deep love for those around her defined her character, even as she faced a relentless battle with cancer. Melinda lost that battle on October 23, 2022, at the age of 53, but her legacy endures through the many lives she touched.