This content was published: April 6, 2022. Phone numbers, email addresses, and other information may have changed.
Melissa Thornburg-Rocha
Posted by Rebecca Raymond
Melissa Thornburg-Rocha – exuberant arts instructor and artist – passed away in March 2022.
She taught many students about visual arts over the 40+ years she was a PCC Community Ed instructor, and she encouraged each student to find their own particular ways of honing and releasing their creativity via painting, collage, and journaling.
It was not uncommon for her and her students in her Acrylic Artists Group class to break out into dance. More than one student of her Art Journaling class filled out their class evaluation form by drawing all over it. She was an accomplished artist, and also volunteered her talents to teach art to people experiencing mental health crises.
She infused her work with her vivaciousness and optimism, and we will miss her.
