About the Artist
“Textiles are a revelation. Working with this medium allows me the freedom of play, which I have not experienced since I was a child. I am finally creating in the purest sense, with no fear, and no restraints.”
“My intent when making art is to fuse my love of activism, education, and my drive to create into work that speaks to me, and hopefully others.”
“I believe my experiences in life have led me to this moment, where I can create my best work. Work that informs, and educates the public, hopefully inspiring the viewer to effect positive change in the world.”
Meryl Lettire graduated from Pratt Institute with a BFA in Communication Design in 1986 and a MA in Education from St. Peter University in 1998. In the 1980s and 90’s she pursued a career in fine arts and Illustration. Her clients included: The New York Times, Boston Globe, Musician, In-Fashion, Travel & Leisure, Billboard, Estee Lauder, Playboy, Random House, Adweek, Scholastics, Pratt Institute and many more.
She made a name for herself in the illustration world and was included in several Society of Illustrators Shows at the Museum of Illustration in NYC. Her work was represented by the Shulte Galleries in NYC & NJ.
In the 1990’s she married, started a family, and began a career in education. Over the next 20 years she devoted herself to her home life, and her students. During her career as an art educator, she won several awards including: The NJ Commission of Holocaust Education & Anti-Defamation League 2009 Axelrod Award, The New Jersey Council for the Humanities 2001 Distinguished Teacher Award, and the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation 1996 Fellowship Award.
Recently the artist completed a series of 23 fabric assemblage portraits entitled “The Madonna’s”. The selected subjects from the past and the present are depicted in a Classic Iconographic Style. She chose to include these women because they have positively impacted the world. In each portrait symbols within the Madonna's Halo speak to each woman's accomplishments.
In her second series the“ Heroes of the Holocaust” Lettire again creates fabric assemblage portraits. The subjects of which are individuals who created artworks during the Holocaust. Each of these “Heroes” were victims of the systematic persecution and genocide perpetrated by the Nazi’s during WWII. These activists created their art for various reasons, but all chose to do so at great personal risk to their lives. Some of the featured artists survived the Shoah, while many of them did not. The portraits in this series have been created to honor these fearless creatives, to assure that their voices, and vision, are known. Their art will tell their tale, and be a testament to their bravery, and creativity.
“Do not go gentle into that good night. Rage, rage against the dying of the light.” Dylan Thomas
