MARTHA
While born in Arkansas, Martha moved to a small Wisconsin town much like Viroqua as an adolescent. She attended Lawrence University, studied abroad in Italy and received a Studio Art degree with minors in education, and art history. She also served as costume designer at the university. After college, she ran away to Europe, living in Ireland, Italy, and ultimately Germany. She started working with children, then began teaching teachers, in the Netherlands, Turkiye and England, as well as in Germany. Martha received a Master’s degree in Education from Boston University while working overseas. She and her husband married in Switzerland, moved to Turkiye, and had a daughter. After two years in Asia, they returned to the U.S., and soon added a son to their ranks. Martha taught Parent-Child Classes for 10 years, was Administrator then Enrollment Coordinator for two more at Three Rivers Waldorf School in LaCrosse. The family moved to Vernon County so their daughter (then son) could attend YIHS. Since 2012, Martha has taught Parent-Child classes at Pleasant Ridge Waldorf School. She started volunteering and guest teaching at YIHS in 2010 and teaching fine and practical arts classes regularly in 2014. Martha teaches Metal Bowls, Batik, Calligraphy, Mosaics, Stone Carving, Embossing, Mini Worlds, Paper Sculpture and Basketry, as well as Art and Design. Martha also teaches classes at Driftless Folk School, and Thoreau College, and travels to Ely Folk School in Ely, Minnesota for summer classes. In addition to art commissions, she has been a LaCrosse Public School artist-in-residence, a guest teacher at Kickapoo Valley Reserve, and a visiting artist at LaCrosse County Libraries. She teaches parenting and cultural appropriation workshops, too. She loves working with copper but is in her happy place when doing figure drawing. Martha is proud of her Potawatomi heritage, often working on the Nishnabek language, and traditional crafts. Both her now-grown children graduated with pride from YIHS.
While born in Arkansas, Martha moved to a small Wisconsin town much like Viroqua as an adolescent. She attended Lawrence University, studied abroad in Italy and received a Studio Art degree with minors in education, and art history. She also served as costume designer at the university. After college, she ran away to Europe, living in Ireland, Italy, and ultimately Germany. She started working with children, then began teaching teachers, in the Netherlands, Turkiye and England, as well as in Germany. Martha received a Master’s degree in Education from Boston University while working overseas. She and her husband married in Switzerland, moved to Turkiye, and had a daughter. After two years in Asia, they returned to the U.S., and soon added a son to their ranks. Martha taught Parent-Child Classes for 10 years, was Administrator then Enrollment Coordinator for two more at Three Rivers Waldorf School in LaCrosse. The family moved to Vernon County so their daughter (then son) could attend YIHS. Since 2012, Martha has taught Parent-Child classes at Pleasant Ridge Waldorf School. She started volunteering and guest teaching at YIHS in 2010 and teaching fine and practical arts classes regularly in 2014. Martha teaches Metal Bowls, Batik, Calligraphy, Mosaics, Stone Carving, Embossing, Mini Worlds, Paper Sculpture and Basketry, as well as Art and Design. Martha also teaches classes at Driftless Folk School, and Thoreau College, and travels to Ely Folk School in Ely, Minnesota for summer classes. In addition to art commissions, she has been a LaCrosse Public School artist-in-residence, a guest teacher at Kickapoo Valley Reserve, and a visiting artist at LaCrosse County Libraries. She teaches parenting and cultural appropriation workshops, too. She loves working with copper but is in her happy place when doing figure drawing. Martha is proud of her Potawatomi heritage, often working on the Nishnabek language, and traditional crafts. Both her now-grown children graduated with pride from YIHS.