Photo: Maggie Thompson
Makwa Studio is a local business owned by Maggie Thompson of the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa. Thompson knits her cowls, scarves and hats on an industrial knitting machine. Makwa Studio textiles often include pops of bright color and bold patterns; they are knit with fine threads that create a smooth and polished finished product.
“I first became interested in textiles when I was introduced to hand knitting at the Minnesota Waldorf School when I was in fourth grade,” Thompson says. “I never thought of it as a career until I was in college on a track to go into architecture. But I took a machine knitting course and switched departments the following year.”
As a textile artist and designer, Thompson derives inspiration from her Ojibwe heritage. Makwa translates to “bear” in Ojibwe and is one of the seven clans in the Ojibwe Nation. Thompson’s work explores themes of family history and the broader Native American experience. It is available at the Ann Tousley Luther Art Shop at White Bear Center for the Arts.
Ellie Fuelling is the communications manager at White Bear Center for the Arts. Learn more at whitebeararts.org.
