Vietta Maher, Multi Media Artist
I was born and raised in Russia. As a teenager, I attended The Technical Theater School in Odessa; where I studied make-up. There was a strong emphasis on literature and drama studies in my school.
My real introduction to Art happened after I finished school and joined “ The Studio”- a group of young artists under the wing of a young and inspiring teacher who also designed for the theater. She is a true Mentor, her name is Zoya Ivnitsky.
Next was college in St. Petersburg at The School of Applied Arts. The city is full of history and art. We had classes at The Hermitage and Russian Museum. We took trips to old Russian towns where I fell in love with Craft as a form of Art.
Even though I was studying Ceramic and Glass, I was also involved in student stage productions.
As a result, right after college, I started working as a stage designer. Like my mentor, I also taught art to youngsters in Odessa.
In 1978 I left the USSR, and arrived to my new country, the USA. I started working as a stage designer and also taught Art in my former school in Odessa. New York became my new home, I designed a few Off Broadway shows but I made my living working for many years in various costume, prop and, later, scenery studios of the City.
As far as my own Art work is concerned, Nature has been my guide. It provides me, constantly with ideas and material. Never the less, I believe, my love for craft and theater find it’s expression in my designs.
