During 2020 Dixon staff kept their creativity going through long months of shelter-in-place and staying safe. Here are just a handful of projects staff members have worked on -- creating artwork, clothing, and more!
Charlotte Sechrist
Visitor Engagement/Museum Tour Coordinator
Vacancy, acrylic on canvas. 2020
In June I had a bedroom in my apartment open up, so my current roommate and I decided to turn it into a music and art studio. Since graduating from college a year and a half ago I have not had access to a space to work in, and this was a great chance for me to rekindle my love for painting. While I was quite out of practice, I was eager to use this painting to explore all of the lifestyle changes I was experiencing because of the pandemic, as well as to creatively occupy my mind and time in a way that feels productive on many levels. I have also been getting into homemade candle making, which I have been gifting to all of my friends who I miss a great deal.
Sarah Schiavoni Catmur
Venue Rental Coordinator
The Catmur family poses in their new nursery, photographed by Madi for Kelly Ginn Photography.
The Catmur family welcomed baby Amelia this year! Sarah is famous with Dixon brides and grooms for helping them coordinate their special day at the Dixon. This year she designed a beautiful nursery featuring floral accents (we might have a future Memphis Garden Club member).
Margarita Sandino
Director of Education
I knit all the time, different things, baby sweaters, two-color patterns, toys, scarves, shawls, and whatever fun pattern I can find. I always gift what I make. So, this year I decided to be brave and learn how to knit a sweater for myself. It worked, and I loved it! The process helped me focus and do something for myself. I made another one for my sister and am about to start a third one, for my dad! Here are some pics of the very first one.
JT Wilbanks
Children's Program Instructor
Flower Soup series, mixed media. 2020.
Here are images from my body of work, Flower Soup, which began mid-pandemic and will continue until the bowl is empty. The concept of the work is the idea of putting all the things in your life, flowers, and weeds alike, into a hollow stump and crushing it into a form to be played with.