Dr. Anna Roberts has spent many hours wrapped in her work, formulating a design to recognize the efforts and talent of a fellow colleague.
Roberts, an associate professor of family and consumer sciences, exhibited her latest creation at the Tennessee Association of Family and Consumer Sciences Conference, held March 31-April 2 in Paris Landing, Tenn.
The entire design, from start to finish, is her original work.
Roberts’ design, titled “Mary, Mary, Not Contrary,” was designed and produced for Mary Langenbrunner, a professor in the department. “Inspiration came from a desire to honor a colleague for her selfless and tireless efforts on behalf of family and consumer sciences, particularly efforts in curriculum development for the local university program,” Roberts said.
It took Roberts three months to form and process the design in her head, Roberts said.
She then took another six weeks to actually construct it. The designs exhibited in the show must be original and have to made by the designer, Roberts said.
The pieces exhibited must have a problem the designer has solved and presented in an abstract.
The research is presented with the piece during the show. For creative people, it is difficult to formulate the research, Roberts said.
“You have to go through problem-solving and an artistic creative side, which generally is not compatible,” Roberts said. “Normally it is either-or.”
“I think her personality was captured very nicely,” said Allison Schaefer, a professor in the family and consumer sciences department.
“It is very meaningful and it is good to incorporate a reason for doing it.”
Roberts said she enjoys designing and continually exhibits her designs. She tries to submit at least one design every year.
Last year, Roberts submitted a design called “Tying the Knot,” which featured a wedding gown with knots tiered down either side of the skirt.
In 1997, Roberts exhibited in an invitation-only show in Lyon, France, for the International Textile and Apparel Association.
Only 25 designers were invited to this event, and the invitations were based on how many designs had been submitted in the previous years, Roberts said.
After the exhibit was finished, the scarf and the hat were presented to Dr. Langenbrunner.

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