AMY LOEWAN

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AMY LOEWAN

By Jennifer MacLeod and Shannon Heth

Myken Woods, owner and creative director of Myken Woods Gallery, is excited to be carrying spiritual artist and peace activist Amy Loewan. Loewan graduated from the University of Alberta with a Master of Fine Arts in 1995. Originally from Hong Kong, the artist has found unique ways to integrate her eastern roots with her western education. Loewan's recent projects are woven rice paper mandalas. In these floor-to-ceiling pieces, Loewan weaves together 30 languages with eight words that epitomize the human spirit: compassion, kindness, respect, understanding, patience, tolerance, gentleness and forgiveness.

Loewan was the recipient of the Canadian Artist and Producers Professional Relations Tribunal Award for Excellence in the Arts. The competition for this award called for works on paper that honoured the United Nations' Universal Declaration of Human Rights. This award was a true triumph for the artist, who believes culture and religion will help humankind obtain peaceful co-existence. Loewan will be exhibiting at an international show in Shanghai in 2003.

For now, her work can be found at the Myken Woods Gallery, second level, Crossroads Market, 1235 - 26 Avenue SE, Calgary.