Melanie Taylor Kent is an American artist. Born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, she was raised and has spent most of her life in Southern California. She won her first National Art Competition at age 12. She graduated from the UCLA School of Art and taught art in the Los Angeles City Schools. In 1980 she started her own publishing company and has published a series of art chronicling America by depicting famous streets and famous events.[1] Her artwork has been licensed to Warner Bros., Disney and Hanna-Barbera. This looks like poster
24, 1/2 X 33
Hello, this item is a decorative limited edition print by Melanie Taylor Kent, depicting a celebratory scene around the Statue of Liberty, likely tied to the 1986 centennial celebrations. Kent is known for highly detailed, narrative compositions that commemorate American landmarks and historical events, often published as limited edition prints with extensive inscriptions. The handwritten dedication “In the Spirit of Liberty… July 4, 1986” corresponds directly to that commemorative context. The signature appears consistent with her known hand, and the style, dense figuration, and storytelling format align with her commercial print production from the 1980s. These works were widely distributed through galleries and publisher networks, often positioned as collectible Americana rather than fine art in the strict market sense.
From a market perspective, Melanie Taylor Kent prints have a modest secondary market, with value driven more by subject and condition than rarity. Patriotic themes like the Statue of Liberty tend to perform slightly better than average within her oeuvre, but overall demand remains stable and limited. The fact that this example appears to be a standard print with inscription, rather than a rare artist proof or low edition number, keeps the value in the accessible range. Based on comparable sales, the fair market value is approximately $150 to $300 USD.