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About the Artist  

Marla Dawson - Naturals by Marla

 

A native of the Chicago area, Marla Dawson holds a BS degree from Southern Illinois University in Elementary Education with a minor in Art Education, and is a certified fiber arts educator. An avid knitter, Marla owned a yarn shop in Charleston, Illinois from 1983-1987.

The Dawson family moved to Ellettsville, Indiana in 1988 where Marla learned to spin and weave. Marla is the current coordinator of the Bloomington Spinners and Weavers Guild. This active guild helped Marla develop as a fiber artist. She continues to attend knitting and weaving workshops and teaches knitting classes at Yarns Unlimited in Bloomington. 

Using natural fibers to create wearable art,  Marla started a new business in 1988.  Naturals by Marla featured hand spun and hand dyed wools which were knitted and woven into hats, shawls, scarves, towels and table decorations. Marla’s fiber art has since expanded to include creations of rayon, chenille, mohair and other unique yarns. Marla’s ability to blend different yarns to create unique colors and patterns has become her signature as a fiber artist. Her rayon chenille scarves are her most successful product and remain the focal point of her art. 

Marla joined the Brown County Craft Gallery in December of 2000 and was manager of this unique artist cooperative for five years. The BCCG has been located in Nashville, IN. since 1978, and features the work of 35 area artists. Marla’s scarves, hats and shawls are available at the Brown County Craft Gallery year round. Marla’s work can also be seen at several fine art shows around the Midwest and galleries in Indiana, and Kentucky. 

Marla was juried into the Indiana Artisan Development Project in 2009 for weaving and knitting.

Marla belongs to several art organizations including the Bloomington Spinners and Weavers Guild, Weaving Indiana, Midwest Weavers Association and Art Alliance Brown County. 

Marla lives and works from her studio in Ellettsville with her son, Scott and husband, Ron. 

Pictures of Marla Dawson’s work are available in digital format directly from Marla. 

Email: mcdweave@bluemarble.net