Mary Featherston facts for kids

Mary Bronwyn Featherston (born in 1943) is an Australian designer. She is well-known for creating fun and friendly spaces where children can play and learn. She also designed furniture and worked with her husband, Grant Featherston.

Mary was recognized for her great work in 1996. She was added to the Design Institute of Australia Hall of Fame. This is a special honor for top designers. Today, she is a professor at RMIT University. She teaches about architecture and urban design.

Early Life and Training

Mary Featherston, whose maiden name was Currey, was born in London in 1943. When she was ten years old, in 1953, she moved to Australia with her parents.

She studied interior design at RMIT University. This is where she learned how to plan and decorate indoor spaces. In the mid-1960s, she worked as a designer for a company called Mockridge, Stahle and Mitchell Architects.

In 1965, Mary started working with furniture designer Grant Featherston. They also got married. Their partnership lasted for more than 40 years.

Designing for Children

Mary Featherston is most famous for her work with children. She designs special places for them to play and learn. She believes that good design can help kids grow and explore.

One of her big projects was furnishing the National Gallery of Victoria. She helped make it a welcoming place for young visitors. In 1985, she also helped create the Children's Museum of Victoria. This museum was designed just for kids.

Mary was also involved in important groups. In 1973, she helped start Community Child Care. This group supports childcare services. Later, in 1995, she helped with the Reggio Emilia Australia Information Exchange. This group shares ideas about how children learn best.

Where to See Her Work

You can see some of Mary Featherston's designs in public places. The National Gallery of Victoria has eight of her works. These pieces are part of their permanent collection.

Exhibitions and Honors

Mary Featherston's work has been shown in special exhibitions. One important show was called Design for Life: Grant and Mary Featherston. It took place at the Heide Museum from June to October 2018. This exhibition celebrated the designs of both Mary and Grant Featherston.

Mary has received several important awards for her contributions to design:

• In 1996, she was inducted into the Design Institute of Australia Hall of Fame. This is a very high honor for designers in Australia.
• In 2020, she was made a Member of the Order of Australia. This award recognizes people who have done great things for their country.