Mel (they/them)

Mel is a lens-based artist, creative technologist, storyteller, our Art Director and film photography fanatic.

From photography to film theory, Mel has had a love for all things cameras. Originally pursuing Cinematography, Mel has crafted a quirky career studying media in all forms — from behind the camera on commercial sets or from a desk at numerous tech startups.

Through their colorful experience and verbose media literacy, Mel has crafted a creative process that allows them to blend their skills in visual storytelling with their passion for technical experimentation and traditional processes with modern twists.

Their work is steeped in inspiration from Lesbian & Queer films from 90s-00s that bend conceptual time, space, and story structure.

Check out their photography portfolio here soon!

Follow them on Instagram!

Fern (they/them)

Fern is an illustrator, web/motion/graphic designer, and our resident RISO expert. With a background in studio art and environmental justice, Fern finds their best work nestled between the analog and digital.

Their work is informed and inspired by nature, mental health, and queerness. RISO has a special place in their heart as an environmentally friendly printing method, and they are working towards technician-level knowledge of the machinery.

Their biggest dreams include inspiring every Queer person in the world to create zines, an Owl House season 4, and cuddling a real-life Pokemon.

Check out Fern’s design portfolio here!

Follow them on Instagram!

Bug

20??-2024

Bug was our co-founder, first investor, best friend, and the worst employee we’ve ever had. Originally a stray from the mean streets of Janesville, Wisconsin, he came into our lives at the perfect time and stayed with us for 7 glorious years. To those of you who got to meet him, you’re welcome.

Breena

20??-present

Sabrina (Breena) is our resident shop dog, number one greeter, and the loudest girl in the room. 6 years old but a puppy at heart, she loves growling at the RISO machines and trying to sneak out the door for a jaunt down Cherokee Street. Come give her a pet and a cuddle!

The Meadow

Swan Meadow was created by partners Mellody + Fern Meadow, in St. Louis Missouri in September of 2024. As an art cooperative, Swan Meadow exists as a Queer-focused community and retail space creating, amplifying, and gathering around visual art in St. Louis. Our communal space is KN95+ mask-required and welcoming to all, though we intentionally prioritize Queer and Trans people. We provide masks for everyone courtesy of MaskBlocSTL. You can read more about our commitment to accessibility here!

The heart of Swan Meadow lies at the intersection of highlighting our preferred “analog” artistic techniques, exploring alternative & new methods, and sharing our knowledge, skills, and creations with other artists and creatives in St. Louis and beyond. We take pride in being a Third space in St. Louis for the LGBTQIA+ community and work hard to keep our location open and inviting.

Just off the corner of Cherokee St. on 3334 Louisiana, Fern and Mellody would love to see you here where they’ve spend their time loving, working, and creating together.

Read more about us in the press here & here!

FAQs

  • * Currently Swan Meadow is self-funded, save for initial startup funds provided by 48 AMAZING backers on Kickstarter!

    We keep the lights on through sales from the shop and several part-time jobs taken on by the Meadows. While we have applied to a number of local and national grants, we have not been able to secure funding.

    While we are limited in outside funding we do our best to keep the cost of our retail products and workshops as low as we can.

  • A third place/space “refers to the social surroundings that are separate from the two usual social environments of home ("first place") and the workplace ("second place").” We are an art-focused third space and believe whole-heartedly that third spaces should not require patrons to spend money to connect with others and find community.

    We currently provide 3-5 free events per month and have plans for larger low/no-cost quarterly events (both in-person and virtual). Folx are also always welcome to come by an share space during our open hours to chat or just chill in a Queer-centered environment.

  • We offer a number of Scholarships and sliding scale tickets with priority for BIPOC individuals.

    Message us on Instagram or email fern@liketheplant.com to inquire! No paperwork or explanation required, just let us know if you need one.