Through my work I attempt to integrate my various identities of woman, mother, friend and artist with my associations to those women in our history who also spent time sewing, quilting, knitting and handling fibers throughout our history, I am inspired in my work by the spirits of those who came before me, those whom I know presently and all others still to come.
It is my desire to express my concern for truth, justice and peace and to challenge some of the stereotypes concerning the human condition and its relationship to the universe. My final hope is to express hope.”
Wisconsin native, Mary Jo Scandin, has many years of experience in surface design. Receiving an art degree from the University of Wisconsin at Superior, Mary Jo began her career as an art teacher, later devoting her time to creating and exhibiting her own fiber work. She and her husband, Jim opened Serendipity, their studio/gallery in Sister Bay, which they operated for nineteen years. For may years Mary Jo has been creating designs for garments in a clothing line which she sold from her Door County studio. Mary Jo’s vivid silk paintings and whimsical drawings have led to illustrations of children’s books. She has illustrated three children’s books: Gloria , the Christmas Angel, The Stray, and Rosanna, the Rainbow Angel. These books were published in 2000 and 2001.