Nestled in the Northwoods city of Rhinelander is ArtStart, a community education and engagement nonprofit housed in the former post office on Stevens Street. From August 16 to October 27, ArtStart will feature Manitowish artist and master weaver Mary Burns and her work, “Women and Water: Woven Portraits from Around the World.”
This textile exhibit, which has traveled the country—including a recent stop at the Wisconsin Academy’s James Watrous Gallery—features 29 woven images of women water guardians and activists from countries around the world. These portraits of scientists, writers, teachers, farmers, tribal, and community leaders are made on Burns’ digital jacquard loom which allows fine detail. Made from cotton yarns in tones of black, white, gray, and sepia, the finished portraits have an almost lithographic quality. Current or historic photos provided most of the patterns for the portraits.
By celebrating these women’s stories of learning, perseverance, and triumph in protecting waterways, these works aim to inspire viewers to take action to protect vulnerable waters everywhere.
Learn more at https://artstartrhinelander.org.
