Born in Brooklyn (the epicenter of the known universe), Debora Meltz received her BFA from The Cooper Union and a Master’s degree in Printmaking from William Paterson University. After a brief stint knocking around the advertising world, she became a high-school art teacher in the New York City public school system—an experience that earned her two Purple Hearts, the Congressional Medal of Honor, and the Croix de Guerre (unofficially, but well deserved).

Debora is the mother of two wonderful children, Daniel and Elizabeth, who live in different states—both literally and existentially.

Over the course of her career, she has worked in nearly every medium imaginable, including paint, pastel, pencil, ink, woodcut, etching, glass, encaustic, dry point, lithography, photography, metal, enamel, and even scrimshaw. She has been a member of Peters Valley for over forty years, where she was introduced to many of these materials and techniques.

In 1994, Debora was invited to join the Board of Directors of Domestic Abuse Services, Inc. (DASI), for which she created and produced educational, promotional, and fundraising materials. She received numerous awards for this work—but no money.

About twenty-five years ago, she began working in clay. Her sculptural work has been described as darkly humorous and creepily beautiful. (One collector purchased a large piece after repeatedly declaring how much it frightened her.)

An avid traveler, Debora has explored much of the world. Her travels, along with her work with DASI, have deeply informed her artistic practice. At this stage of her life, she feels fully liberated to create whatever she wants—a freedom she finds absolutely fabulous.

Debora currently serves on the Board of Directors of Peters Valley, a role she loves.