Artwork copyright Beth Anna Margolis. Photo courtesy of the artist, 2023.

Ferns and Flowers, 2020

Beth Anna Margolis
(American, born 1971)

Location: Kessler Center, Puyallup

ABOUT THE ARTWORK

Ferns and Flowers by Beth Anna Margolis reflects her love of color, light, and life. She has a distinct viewpoint that results in interesting angles and other artistic choices. Margolis is inspired by her daily walks around Bellingham where she sketches what she sees in pencil or charcoal, and later recreates it in paint or pastels in her studio.

This artwork is part of a curated collection by Lucile Chich in October 2023 for the Kessler Center, in Puyallup, Western Washington. The collection is based on joy, color, and the inclusion of a marginalized population within the arts community. It was critical to the local Art Selection Committee that the collection celebrate artists who are experiencing disability. This could be physical, neurological, or intellectual. They also wanted the see artists who use the transformative powers of artmaking to transcend, to heal, to rejoice.

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

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Beth Anna Margolis is a painter and poet. Her colorful pastel and watercolor paintings, and her writing, reflect her bright spirit, her sense of humor, and her love of nature. In her own words, “My experiences motivate my art, which I love. I hope people will respect me for my talents. That is true for me and for other people with Down Syndrome. I can be anything I want. That's power." Margolis lives and works in Bellingham, Northwestern WA, and has been creating art for over 25 years.