Dorothy Meredith

Dorothy Laverne Meredith was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on November 17, 1906, to Ida Simmerling and William Meredith.^[2][3] Her mother was also an artist.^[4] She attended Layton School of Art, and graduated in 1927, followed by Milwaukee State Teachers College (now known as Wisconsin State College of Milwaukee) and graduated in 1933 with a Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.).^[1] Additionally she got a Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) degree from Cranbrook Academy of Art, where she studied with Maija Grotell.^[1][5] Meredith was active in the New Deal Federal Art Project in Wisconsin.^[6]

Her early teaching roles included the Winnebago Day School in Menasha, Lincoln School in Highland Park, and Peckham Junior High School in Milwaukee.^[1][7] For many years she was an art professor specializing in fiber arts and textiles at the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee.^[8] In summers she taught at Ox Bow School of Art and Artists Residency in Saugatuck, Michigan.^[1] She later was a professor emeritus at University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee.^[1]

In 1965, Meredith visited 11 different countries, including India, Pakistan, Japan to enhance the courses she taught.^[8] She had travelled to rural locations to learn traditional textile techniques in each international region.^[8]

She was the secretary and president of the Wisconsin Designer Craftsmen's organization (now known as the Wisconsin Designer Crafts Council).^[1] Meredith was one of the founding members of the Wisconsin Watercolor Society.^[9] She also was a member of the Wisconsin Painters and Sculptors, and Midwest Designer Craftsmen.^[8]

In 1960, Meredith was elected a life fellow of the International Institute of Arts and Letters.^[8] In 1975, Meredith was an American Craft Council (ACC) fellow.^[10]

Meredith died on July 6, 1986, in Washington County, Wisconsin.^[11]