Exhibition Features Work of Former Meredith Faculty Member Mary Ann Scherr

A retrospective exhibition of the work of Mary Ann Scherr will open at NC State’s Gregg Museum of Art and Design on February 21. A world renowned artist, Scherr taught metals at Meredith College and co-designed the presidential medallion worn by Meredith’s seventh president, Maureen Hartford. The presidential medallion has been loaned to the exhibition by Meredith College.

Scherr, who died in 2016 at age 94, was one of the first female industrial designers and the first woman designer to work in the automobile industry. All Is Possible – Mary Ann Scherr’s Legacy in Metal includes numerous examples of Scherr’s innovative jewelry, body monitors, and design work.

The exhibition is curated by jewelry historian Ana Estrades, adjunct instructor of art at Meredith. Students in Estrades’ modern art history course contributed to the research and interpretation of the exhibition by writing extended labels for 16 jewelry pieces included in the show.

“From an African-inspired body chain, to a sleep-detector, and a “Wonder Woman” bracelet, the students met with the private jewelry collector in class, handled all of Scherr’s pieces, and chose one to write a label about,” Estrades explained. “All of these labels, with credit to each student, will be on display next to their respective pieces in the exhibition.”

All Is Possible: Mary Ann Scherr’s Legacy in Metal will be open from February 21 to September 6, 2020 at the Gregg Museum of Art and Design. An opening reception will be held on February 20 at 6 p.m.

Photo credit:  Mary Ann and Sydney Scherr. President’s Medallion, 2000. Silver sterling, 14k gold-plated, cloisonné enamel, garnets. Collection of the Meredith College Archive Photograph by Jason Dowdle. Courtesy of the Gregg Museum.