Meet Stacey Lewis: Artist and Mask Maker
We love what we do, and we’re lucky to still be able (with some adjustments!) to keep working with our clients and creating beautiful spaces for people to call home. We are also always on the lookout for ways we can give back to the community. Alexandria has given so much to us, and we want to give back the best we can.During this crisis, we were searching for ways we could help the community and the non-profits that are near and dear to us. Stacey Lewis is a local artist that we have collaborated with on some previous community projects and she will be providing canvases for our 2020 Community Caring Campaign with the Carpenter’s Shelter, currently set for this fall.Stacey showed Alex some of her masks and Alex knew we had to work with her to get these masks to those in need at Carpenter’s Shelter and Friends of Guest House – two non-profits we’ve worked closely with over the years. 
We are beyond excited to be partnering with Stacey and providing all of the fabric and materials for masks from our library. We will bring these masks to those in need as well as distributing them to our local industry partners who are still making deliveries and working on construction projects.We will be extending our project with Stacey for a few weeks to be able to offer additional masks to other community organizations. If you know of an organization in need, please email our Community Campaign Manager, Lisa Huther, and let us know, lisa@ivylaneliving.com.We want you to get to know Stacey as we think she’s pretty fabulous…and we’re sure you will think so too!
1. Tell us a little bit about your background and what your “normal” life was like pre-coronavirus. I have been a maker all my life. I grew up in a very creative home, with a mom who’s tag line was always, “I can make that.” Which meant that she made ski jackets, her own yarn from sheep’s wool, all of my prom dresses, and even my wedding dress. This attitude definitely served me well. In 1994, I received a BA in Painting and English from Wittenberg University in Ohio and in 1997 an MA in Art Education from Teacher’s College, Columbia University, in NYC. I have been an art educator ever since, and locally in Arlington since 2001.My husband Craig and I have two boys, Tanner, 15, and Gavin, 13, and a 7-year-old black lab named Roxie. When I am not teaching or making art, I am usually watching one of my boys play lacrosse, taking a class at Barre3 in Old Town, or in the summer, spending time at the beach in Niantic, CT.
A dress Stacey made out of paper!
2. How has the coronavirus impacted your family directly?As a teacher, I am no longer teaching from my classroom. It is a surreal experience to not be in the classroom with my students and co-art teachers. We have a very robust program, with a lot of opportunities for collaboration and working big, which now is gone. We are sharing lessons with our students through a google site, but it is obviously not ideal. We cannot assume that they have access to art materials, so plans need to be simple. We are trying not to overwhelm parents with too many activities, while still trying to keep our students creating. It is challenging.My husband is a Firefighter/EMT and Swift-Water Rescue Technician. His house is very close to the Potomac River and in normal times, they respond to any river emergencies. During this pandemic, the river calls have fallen silent, but the fears of COVID-19 have made his job very stressful. They have very stringent protocols when responding to the sick, so that they stay safe from infection. He is also always worried that he will bring the virus back home. So far so good.
Stacey and her husband, Craig
3. What inspired you to start making masks? When everyone started making masks, I started, too. I showed my first few to Alex Deringer and she dreamed up the idea of me working with Ivy Lane to provide masks for Carpenter’s Shelter and Friends of Guest House. I’ve adjusted my day, so that I can maintain my teaching/mom/artmaking duties and also do some sewing. Staying busy and connected is the best medicine for me right now. 
4. Tell us more about your art. What other projects have you been working on? My favorite thing about making art is working with color. I use a lot of pattern in my work. I like simple shapes and lines. I like working big as much as possible. I’m a painter, but I also sew, weave, draw, collage and mix it up. I learn a lot from my students, and often get hooked into what they are learning. I started weaving last year after an extensive weaving unit.I try to create something every day, whether working on a larger project, or working in my sketchbook. I’m currently working on a series of still life paintings and developing a group of wallpaper designs.
A painted bathroom floor (how cool!)
One of Stacey's paintings
One of Stacey's paintings
Stacey's weaving and another painting