Mary Giles

Giles, Mary
Internationally recognized fiber artist Mary Giles died April 11 at her home on the St. Croix River near Stillwater, Minnesota. Ms. Giles represented the United States at the 10th International Triennial of Tapestry in Lodz, Poland, in Contemporary International Basketry at the Barbicon Center, London, was recognized as the Master of Fiber art by the Renwick Alliance, Renwick Gallery, Smithsonian Museums in 2013 and her work is in the collections of over 15 museums throughout the United States including the Minneapolis Institute of Art. Born Mary Jo Mortenson in St. Paul, Minnesota, she graduated in Arts education from Mankato State University where she met and married Doug Giles. He became Director of Human Resources for the May Company in St. Louis, Missouri. After her divorce, Ms. Giles remained in St. Louis teaching in the Ladue School district. Upon her retirement she devoted herself as a studio artist and was represented variously by the Okun Gallery, St. Louis and Santa Fe, R. Duane Reed Gallery, St. Louis, Sybaris Gallery, Royal Oak, MI, Mobilia Gallery, Cambridge, MA, BrownGrotta Arts, Wilton, CT and Hostler-Burrows, NYC. She married Jim Harris, a St. Louis architect, and upon his retirement moved to Minnesota. Textile Center, St. Paul, Minnesota, presented Mary Giles: A Retrospective in 2015 and a major retrospective of her work is being organized by the Racine Art Museum, Racine, Wisconsin. Ms. Giles was an active conservationist working for wilderness protection with the Minnesota Land Trust and saving sea turtles with Verdiazul in Junquillal, Costa Rica. Diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2104. She is survived by her husband, Jim Harris; her sister, Jane Sweeney (John E. Sweeney) Stillwater, MN and her brother, Tom Mortenson (Mary Ellen Becker) Lehigh Acres, FL. Services will be private. Tributes may be made to Textile Center or the Minnesota Land trust.