One Woman's Creative Journey: Anita Luvera Mayer
September 19, 2010 - January 2, 2011
Inspired by ethnic & historic garments, Anita Mayer designs original clothing in her Anacortes studio, infusing the work with her creative spirit. She believes there should be something magical & unique in what we wear each day & she wants to share this concept of clothing with others.
Mayer says of the work in this show:
This exhibition presents the role and situation of women in the contemporary world through the fiber arts. The garments speak to my personal experiences regarding growing older, marriage, death, and other markers of whom we become during life's journey. We live in a youth-oriented society and I want to share and celebrate the joys of self-discovery that come with age. I was to embrace the years we have lived, because I believe that gray hair, lines on the face, and gnarled hands signify that a woman has had a full and challenging life; and with the years, gains knowledge and wisdom...These garments are my tribute to women of the world who need to be recognized and respected.
Anita Luvera Mayer is an internationally recognized weaver and versatile fiber artist, designer, and author. She was first introduced to weaving in 1955 when her mother-in-law gave her a floor loom as a wedding gift. Her focus on weaving contemporary garments began in 1972 and she has focused the last 10 years of her work about women's stories. Although she still weaves, her creative fiber work has evolved to include many types of innovative surface design techniques as well as incredible beadwork, embroidery, freeform knitting, and crochet.
This exhibition is made possible in part by a grant from the Michigan Humanities Council, an affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities.
