Angela Mele’s startup, Studio Understory, is a women-owned company with an appreciation for localized stories.

Run by Mele, a Museology alum with expertise in visual communication, and her partner, Laura Frick, Studio Understory empowers small communities and sites to share their stories. Through storytelling and works of art, lesser-known aspects of history and the natural world can be illuminated in engaging ways. For example, Holden Village, a remote wilderness community in Washington, was nearly ravaged by fire in 2015. The creation of a fire-themed interpretive trail will help spread awareness of this village.

According to Mele, the UW campus with all of its museums, collections, exhibits, public art, lectures, performances and networking opportunities was hugely instrumental for her and Frick in forming an understanding of the work they do. Specifically, Mele credits Jessica Luke as a valued mentor who introduced her to the concept and importance of best practices. “Now I find that educating clients on best practices helps make our work more effective AND sells ideas,” she said.