Feminine Nature

Women of the Ozarks is a collaborative show featuring female artists from the Ozark Mountain region of Arkansas. Our mission is to spotlight local, female-identifying artists, to bring Northwest Arkansas meaningful art in various media, and to provide an opportunity for our community to engage with local artists, and one another. Women of the Ozarks was founded by Tram Colwin and Claire Pongonis, who are visual artists, art educators, and advocates for sharing art with Northwest Arkansas.

Our 2024 inaugural exhibition will present a collection of art from 6 incredibly talented artists working in various media, as they express their unique interpretation of the show’s theme, “Feminine Nature”.
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Dani Ives is an award-winning artist, author, and educator. Her primary art medium is fiber, and she creates highly detailed pieces with wool fibers and needle felting techniques in a process she calls “Painting with Wool.” Dani’s work has been featured by Martha Stewart, Fiber Art Now, The Oprah Magazine, American Craft, Colossal, and more. She also shows her work in galleries and art shows across the U.S. She lives in Northwest Arkansas with her husband and her dog, June Bug. When she’s not needle felting, you’ll find her working in her sketchbook, reading, or hiking the forest trails near her home.
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As a fiber artist, I am deeply inspired by the tactile nature of textiles and the ways in which they can be manipulated to create intricate designs and patterns. Through my art, I aim to explore the relationship and emotional connections between humans and the natural world, and to challenge the boundaries between fine art and craft. In my studio practice, my use of natural fibers adds an extra layer of meaning to my work and serves as a reminder of the importance of sustainability and how all materials are connected. Overall, my work is an exploration of the endless possibilities of fiber as a medium, and an expression of my belief in the power of textiles to connect us to nature and back to ourselves.

This series of needle felted wool paintings delves into the profound connection between the feminine spirit and the natural world, reflecting deeply on my personal relationship with nature. Each piece connects an aspect of my identity with universal themes of nurturing, understanding, and coexistence.