Artwork copyright Dale Gottlieb. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission, 2016.

Happier Times, 2002

Dale Gottlieb
(American, born 1952)

Location: Horace Mann Elementary, Redmond

ABOUT THE ARTWORK

Happier Times is part of a series of "Story Rugs" by Northwest textile artist Dale Gottlieb. This artwork was created in celebration of community, prosperity, and freedom of expression. It is partly inspired by Gottlieb's own childhood in a 1950s Brooklyn neighborhood that was diverse, multi-generational, and welcoming. She notes that "Learning other people's stories still inspires my work." The artwork was fabricated in collaboration with a Tibetan Buddhist family who produce rugs using traditional hand-knotting techniques.

This artwork was acquired for the State Art Collection in partnership with Lake Washington School District.

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Northwest artist Dale Gottlieb creates rugs, paintings, and children's books that depict narrative imagery inspired by literature, folklore and history. She notes that "My work is about freedom and often inspired by people's stories about their struggle to live free from persecution."

Gottlieb earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Alfred University in New York State in 1975. She lives and works in Bellingham, Northwestern Washington. In 2003, the Whatcom Museum curated the exhibition "Story Rugs: Tales of Freedom: The Work of Dale Gottlieb".