Melinda and Joseph Ostraff share a collaborative studio practice that seamlessly integrates their expertise and complementary ways of thinking. Melinda earned her PhD from the University of Victoria, British Columbia, in Environmental Science and Human Geography, with a focus on Ethnobotany. Joseph holds an MFA from the University of Washington, Seattle. Whether working individually, together, or on community-based projects, their work shares common ground in exploring the intersection of human geography and nature. This results in a unique and multifaceted artistic practice, enriched by strong community partnerships and collaborations.
Recently, Melinda and Joseph were featured in season one of the KBYU Artful Series. Joseph is a three-time recipient of the Utah Artist Fellowship and has also been awarded the Ballinglen Artist Fellowship in Ballycastle, County Mayo, Ireland. He is represented by the NuArt Gallery in Santa Fe, NM/Santa Monica, CA, and the Phillips Art Gallery in Salt Lake City, UT.