I have two extraordinary sisters, Phyllis Ennes and Anita Mayer, both of whom live in the town where we were born and grew up, Anacortes. They have both accomplished many wonderful things in their lives and both were recently involved in honors.

Phyllis is receiving the 2008 Anacortes Patron of the Arts honor Friday July 25^thand is featured in a front page article in the Anacortes American this week: http://www.goskagit.com/home/article/anacortes_patron_of_the_arts_ennes_efforts_still_inspiring_children/inspiring_children/ In 1973 she became the leader in advancing arts in the Anacortes school system where she was a teacher. She was named the school district’s first cultural education director. This resulted in youth art exhibitions, cultural education performances, drama clubs, artists in residence, poetry workshops, strings programs and diverse after school art classes.

Phyllis is a graduate of the University of Washington and Western Washington University. She has a masters degree from Montana State University and taught at Montana State for many years before returning to Anacortes. Her activities in the arts is only one aspect of this very extraordinary person’s many community activities.

I’ve written about my sister Anita Luvera Mayer before https://paulluverajournalonline.com/weblog/2008/04/anita-luvera-ma.html She is a very talented weaver and textile artist who has been weaving and working with textiles for over a quarter of a century. She has traveled all over the world giving lectures and conducting workshops. She has written numerous books and published  articles as well. She has just completed a show of her work at the La Conner Quilt and Textile Museum. The show was entitled “Creative Clothing: One woman’s Journey” and feature wonderful collections of clothing. The picture I’ve included here is of one of my favorite creations of Anita. Two very wonderful, creative people who I’m proud to say are my sisters.

Oh, by the way, this is Anita and Phyllis when they were children.