Women's History Month: Makers

Arts, crafts, creativity!

In celebration of Women’s History Month, we’re introducing some of the incredible women+ of Schuler Shook.?

Today we’re highlighting the artwork and DIY projects of our crafty counterparts.

Ksenia Oquist, an Administrative & HR coordinator based in the Chicago office, is originally from Omsk, Russia. Ksenia shares, “[My] favorite memories from Women’s Day are from my childhood; in Siberia, March is the first month when air carries with it a spring smell, this is when Mother used to buy a bunch of mimosas to place on our window apron, a traditional spring and Women’s Day plant.” Outside of work, Ksenia enjoys the Medieval and Renaissance wing at the Art Institute and enjoys film photography.

Sadie Ward , a Lighting, Theatre, and Audio Video Specialist recently joined the Minneapolis office. Sadie has a background in scenic design and continues to freelance as a set designer. In addition to set design, Sadie is also a visual artist with a unique medium, “I have my visual art I pursue as well, call it Brart. I gather old bras and make portraits of women. Any bras I don't use for art I send to the Bra Recyclers that get bras to women who can't afford them.”

Angela McMahon , a Theatre Consultant based in the Chicago office, is originally from Michigan and moved to Chicago after grad school to pursue her career in theatre. Angela shares, “I have always been creative and artsy. I found technical theatre in high school and fell in love with scenic design and construction and how it married art and technology. After years of working as a technical director in regional theatre, my company built a new theatre space, and I discovered theatre consulting. I love how this career even further merges creativity and technical challenges.” Outside of work, Angela is making progress on various DIY home renovation projects.

Karen Wallace , a Theatre Specialist intern and Chicago native, freelances outside of work as a theatrical lighting designer. She enjoys the vibrant and playful theatre community in the city. She shares, “Theatre planning is an extension of my love of storytelling and collaboration on a macro level.” In addition to her work at Schuler Shook, Karen loves arts and crafts and trying new creative mediums. She recently completed upholstering an antique piano bench and a string art wall piece. Karen shares, “I find inspiration in gifts. The piano bench was a birthday gift for my roommate. I wanted to celebrate the antique as much as possible, while also making the bench special and unique for this person. I really valued getting to spend that time honing a skill - though I am still very much a beginner - and producing something that can represent the love and care I feel for my roommate. It took a few tries, but I am very proud of the result, and am excited to have added some new craft disciplines to my repertoire!"

Join us next week as we introduce some more of the extraordinary women+ of Schuler Shook!

In case you missed it, check out last week's article featuring some of the Community Builders of Schuler Shook.