Martha Cole facts for kids

Martha Cole (born in 1946 in Regina, Saskatchewan) is a Canadian artist. She is famous for her art made with textiles, often showing landscapes. She also creates unique "artist's books."

Her art often talks about how everything is connected. It also shows how important it is to protect nature and live in a way that helps the Earth. Martha Cole lives in Disley, Saskatchewan. Her high school art teacher, Helmut Becker, helped her decide to become an artist. She also taught art at the University of Regina.

Martha Cole's art has been shown all over the world. This includes places like Yokohama, Japan, and Seattle, WA. Her work was also part of the Commonwealth Games in Vancouver. You can find her art in important collections. These include the Saskatchewan Arts Board and the MacKenzie Art Gallery.

Martha Cole's Art Career

Martha Cole studied art at the University of Washington in Seattle. She earned a degree in sculpture in 1970. After moving back to Canada, she worked at the University of Toronto. She was a slide librarian in the Fine Arts Department.

In 1972, she earned another degree from the University of Toronto. This one was in Art Education, with a focus on librarianship. She then taught art to high school students in Toronto.

In 1978, Martha Cole moved back to Saskatchewan. She bought an old church in Disley, Saskatchewan. This is where she started making her first fabric landscapes. She was inspired by the beautiful countryside around her.

Cole has mostly worked with fabric throughout her career. She uses traditional crafts like sewing, embroidery, and quilting in her art. Her first art show using fabric was in 1984 in Regina. In the 1980s, she also started making "artist's books." Two of her works are at the MacKenzie Art Gallery. These are Cygnus Spiral Arm of the Milky Way Galaxy (1986) and Elemental Blue: Water (2003).

In 2002, Martha Cole was affected by the old grain elevator in Disley being torn down. She realized how important these buildings were to people who grew up on farms. This inspired her show called "The Survivors." It toured 29 galleries in rural Saskatchewan from 2005 to 2007. The show featured images of grain elevators that were still standing. During this time, Cole also taught art classes across the province. This was part of Saskatchewan's 100th birthday celebrations.

Cole was one of four artists who created All Beings Confluence. This was a group art project that involved the community. It was about social action and making connections. Cole, along with Shannon Carson, Madeline Lepage, and Fenella Temmerman, created this exhibition. It was inspired by a song by Carolyn McDade, who writes music and works for the environment. The project started in 2010. It has been shown in more than 50 places across North America.

Awards and Recognition

Martha Cole has received important awards for her art. In 2017, she was given the Saskatchewan Order of Merit. This award recognizes people who have made great contributions to the province.

In 2019, she received the Lieutenant Governor's Lifetime Achievement Award. This award celebrates artists who have had a long and successful career.

Exhibitions

• "All Beings Confluence," a group show with Shannon Carson, Madeline Lepage, and Fenella Temmerman, 2010.
• "The Survivors" Touring Exhibition, shown in 27 places across Saskatchewan, 2005-2007.
• "Envisioning the Whole" Exhibition, MacKenzie Art Gallery, Regina, 2005.
• Yokohama Quilt Week Exhibition, Yokohama, Japan, 2005.
• "Surviving as an artist: Martha Cole" a video about her work, 2003.
• "CanadaScapes" Exhibition, Laconner Quilt Museum, Laconner, WA, USA, 1999.
• "In Context: The Saskatchewan Landscape Exhibition" (2 Person), shown in Saskatoon, St. John's, Newfoundland, and Winnipeg, 1998-99.
• "Canada, A Cultural Mosaic" Exhibition, Atlanta, GA, USA, 1998.
• Commonwealth Conference Exhibition, Cartwright Gallery, Vancouver, 1987.