Mayor Mike McGinn and the Seattle City Council honored arts leader Melissa Hines with a joint recognition at Monday’s City Council meeting.

The community is invited to celebrate Melissa’s life and achievements at a public memorial service, 3 to 5 p.m., Monday, May 9 at Town Hall, 1119 Eighth Ave.

A friend, colleague and mentor to many in the arts community, Melissa passed away from cancer April 8. Read the many heartfelt remembrances shared on this blog and Melissa’s obituary in the Seattle Times.

Melissa joined the Office of Arts & Cultural Affairs in 2004, directing our funding programs and the city’s Arts Education Partnership with Seattle Public Schools. Previously, she dedicated 23 years of her career to The Empty Space Theatre.