Mary L. Meixner

Mary Meixner was my "mentor" before that word came into its current vogue and specificity of connotations. She was an inspiring professor during my undergraduate years at Iowa State. In fact her classes in fashion illustration provided me with the focus I knew I wanted to follow professionally. From the beginning that goal was a two-tiered one: application of that art form for print media advertising and eventual classroom teaching of the subjects. Along with the artistic expression and skills she taught Mary Meixner conveyed her knowledge of the philosophies and personalities of the era's successful fashion artists. The illustrators for Lord & Taylor Harper's Bazaar The New York Times etc. became "household names" to her students. It was no "teaching strategy;"-it was a reflection of her unremitting scholarship voracious readings and astute monitoring of the worlds of art and fashion. The emphasis on the artist-as-a-person became a career-long interest of mine and it extended to research and publication. When I returned to Iowa State for graduate school Mary Meixner supervised my program of study and the parallel teaching assistanceship. After a few years we were reunited as teaching colleagues and friends.

I continue to derive benefit and delight from her correspondence (always filled with an eclectic mix of clippings in keeping with our mutual interests in matters serious and whimsical). I consider myself fortunate to have known and received guidance from Mary Meixner. Iowa State University was fortunate to have this Distinguished Professor in its midst.

5/29/95