Photo by Hillary Schave
“My work has become more about connection—whether it’s embroidered self-portraits, handmade paper stitched with migration journeys, textile pieces that hold our memories, or guiding others how to express their stories through art.”
ABOUT
Maria Amalia Wood is a Honduran-born artist, educator, and community organizer based in Middleton, WI. Her work centers on storytelling through textiles, papermaking, and embroidery, creating spaces where Latina immigrants can share experiences, preserve traditions, and build community. For over 15 years, Maria Amalia has used art as a tool for connection and empowerment. She has led numerous community-based projects amplifying the voices of Latina women, including “Bordando Memorias,” where participants embroidered self-portraits reflecting migration journeys, and “Viajes del Horizonte,” a participatory fiber arts project inviting individuals to stitch their life journeys onto handmade paper, exploring memory and belonging. Her most recent project, Unidas por Hilos, engages Latina immigrants in embroidery workshops to document personal histories through textile-based storytelling.
Maria Amalia maintains a studio practice focused on handmade paper, layering, and collage. Working intuitively, she manipulates the wet pulp, creating richly textured surfaces, with ripped, painted, and stitched elements that reference lived experiences, bridging her Central American roots with life in the Midwest.
Maria Amalia holds an MFA in Textile Art and Design from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a bachelor's degree in General Art with a minor in Visual Communications from Judson University. She has collaborated with craft communities across Latin America, preserving traditional techniques while fostering contemporary artistic expression.
In addition to her studio and community work, Maria Amalia is a passionate educator with five years of experience teaching art at Lighthouse Christian School in Madison. As a licensed K-8 art teacher, she integrates diverse artistic traditions into her curriculum, fostering creativity and cultural awareness in her students. She believes in the power of hands-on learning and storytelling through art, encouraging young artists to explore personal and collective narratives through their work.