“Water Music”- Weavings by Mary Snowden, Pottery by Marguerite Goff & Paintings by yet to be announced artist
Shows October 1 - October 30, 2010
Gallery Hours: Tues - Fri: 12:30 - 5 p.m., Sat. 1 - 4 p.m.
First Friday Art Walk: Fri., October 1, 2010, 6 - 9 p.m.
Mary Snowden,Weaver/Sculptor
Inspiration for my work is rooted in nature, and the traditional
lifestyles of the Northwest Coast. I apprenticed with master weaver,
"Gram" Lillian Black Pullen, of the Quileute and Muckleshoot tribes in
Washington states Olympic Rainforest for thirteen years. The Southern
Puget Sound also nurtured my Coast Salish apprenticeships with Lummi
elder, Lillian Rose Jefferson Lawrence, and other accomplished weavers.
My main medium is red cedar bark, which has been used for thousands of
years by NW Coast First Peoples. Considered sacred, it serves
artistic, utilitarian and ceremonial purposes and, according to legend,
has metaphysical properties. The bark is gathered and prepared using
special and ancient techniques taught to me. Bark preparation and
processing requires precision. The bark is priceless. In addition, I
may use yellow cedar bark, wild grasses and sedges, other natural
objects, and may apply a variety of dying techniques. While many
pieces are composed of only natural materials, the spirit of the piece
may call me to chose from an assortment of synthetic or unusual
materials.
While preserving the purity of ancient historical traditions and
techniques, I seek to creatively unify traditional techniques with new
perspectives. Steeped in classical weaving methods and drawing from
nature and seeking the unfamiliar, I continue to discover limitless
possibilities in both my traditional and contemporary weavings.
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