Mary Wilds
Two of my goals in life have been to be a teacher and a quilter. I have been blessed to have accomplished both of these goals.
Artist's Full Biograpy
Chikashsha saya! My Great Great Grandfather, my Great Grandmother and my Grandfather are on the original Chickasaw roles as enrollees #1, #3 and #7 on December 12, 1902. I am so proud to be a member of the Chickasaw Nation and love having the opportunity to tell my family history through my art.
Two of my goals in life have been to be a teacher and a quilter. I have been blessed to have accomplished both of these goals. When I was old enough to hold a needle and make a few stiches, both of my grandmothers, my mother and my aunt gave me projects with fabric, yarn, and thread. My grandmothers taught me how to quilt and embroidery. My mother was a seamstress and taught me how to make garments. I was always designing and working on something with textiles. This love took a backseat for my professional life in teaching but I learned to use my knitting, quilting, crocheting and embroidery as a stress relief from my hectic job. Now that I am retired, I can now devote my time to being a quilter and working with textiles. I have learned how to weave using the Mahota designs at the Artisian Gallery. With my Chickasaw heritage, I hope to continue exploring new designs that illustrate that heritage.
Educational Background:
B.A, Early Childhood Education from George Mason University, Fairfax, VA
MAEd in Early Childhood Special Education from George Washington University, Washington, D.C.
Post Masters in Neurodevelopmental Therapy from Ohio State University, Akron, OH
Post Masters in Assistive Technology from George Mason University, Fairfax, VA
Teaching Certificates from the State of Virginia
NK-3rd Grade, Regular Education
Birth to 5 years Old, Special Education
Severe Disabilities, Birth to 21 years old
Assistive Technology, Birth to 21 years old
Quilt and Art Shows
Norfolk Quilters Guild, Norfolk VA, one entry
2017 Murray County OHCE Quilt Show, Sulphur, OK, 11 entries, 7 awards
2018 Murray County Fair, Sulphur, OK, 3 entries, 3 First Place awards
2018 Murray County OHCE Quilt Show, Sulphur, OK, 12 entries, 1 First Place Award
2018 SEASAM Art Show, Tishimingo, OK, 3 entries, 1 Third Place Award in Textiles
2019 Artesian Arts Festival, Sulphur, OK, 1 entry, 1 First Place Award
2019 SEASAM Art Show, Tishimingo, OK 4 entries, 1 Second Place Award and 1 Third place award
2019 Murray County Fair, Sulphur, OK 1 entry, 1 First Place Award
2019 Murray County OHCE Quilt Show, Sulphur, OK 8 entries, 2 First Place Awards, 1 Second Place Award and 2 Third Place Awards
2020 Murray County OHCE Quilt Show, Sulphur, OK, 5 entries, 1 First Place Award and was featured artist for the show
2021 Murray County OHCE Quilt Show, Sulphur, OK 9 entries, 1 First Place Award and one Second Place Award
2021 Online Artesian Arts Festival, Sulphur, OK 4 entries, 1 Second Place award
2022 Artesian Arts Festival, Sulphur, OK 2 entries, 1 First Place Award
2022 SEASAM Art Show, Tishimingo, OK, 4 entries, 2 Third Place Awards
2022 Murray County OHCE Quilt Show, Sulphur, OK, 5 entries, 2 First Place Awards, 1 Second Place Award and 1 Third Place Award