We were lucky to catch up with Jenna Freimuth and Mindy Meyers recently and have shared our conversation below.
Jenna and Mindy, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?
One of our most meaningful projects we worked on was a solo show at the Windgate Museum of Art at Hendrix College in Conway, Arkansas. It was one of the first opportunities to see our current work together in one space. The exhibition, titled Night Fever, was an exploration of our process, a reflection of our friendship, and a naturally embellished disco aesthetic. We were delighted to attend the exhibition to give an artist talk and participate in a community art piece.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
Our project, The Wondermakers Collective, is a long-distance artistic collaboration in which we create intricately embellished, abstract textiles. We began merging our unique styles into a cohesive, innovative body of work about ten years ago, after we met through mutual friends and professors at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, where we both attended as undergraduates. Although we graduated at different times and never attended classes together, a friendship developed post-graduation through social media.
The first challenge of our collaboration was how to create artwork from two separate locations—Mindy in Iron Mountain, MI, and Jenna in Minneapolis, MN. After a few attempts, we landed on embellishing and stitching on felt and mailing pieces back and forth in a pen-pal fashion.
The core of our artistic practice revolves around an intuitive process of layering materials such as sequins, beads, yarn, and thread over felt. Every piece is transformed through a series of exchanges; we each build upon the other’s contributions, adding complexity and texture with every pass. The artwork evolves gradually, with trust in the natural flow of our creative process. As we work together from afar (and at the occasional art retreat), we find ways to communicate and fuel the evolution of our shared vision.
We are grateful to have exhibited in numerous galleries, nationally and internationally, where our intricate pieces and unique approach have been widely praised. With no sign of slowing down, we plan to expand our collection and find ways to work on an even larger scale.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
In our experience, one of the most rewarding aspects of being a creative is the art of collaboration. Sometimes, the challenges of navigating the art world, working on a new piece, or applying for grants and exhibition opportunities can be overwhelming. Having one another to lean on and toss ideas around with makes the experience much more enjoyable. The workload is shared, and we feel bolder in attempting new goals. As a collaborative duo, we not only share the rejections that occur when being an artist, but also the incredible joys of the journey.
Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?
When it comes to our long-distance collaboration, we continually challenge ourselves to work on larger pieces. Our largest work to date measures 28 inches by 28 inches, and the clustered embellishments are so captivating that one could feel lost in the layers. We have a goal of working on very big panels, and that requires specific materials and tools to accommodate stitching on such a large surface, in two different locations. Given the level of embellishment in our pieces, there are limitations to how the material can be handled. However, we are determined to create work that pushes the boundaries of scale.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://thewondermakerscollective.com/
- Instagram: @thewondermakers
Image Credits
Jenna Freimuth & Mindy Meyers