Mindy Meyers of Iron Mountain and Jenna Freimuth of Minneapolis will travel to Florence, Italy, this fall to take part in the XIV Florence Biennale.

The founders of The Wondermakers Collective will bring two of their largest collaborated embroidery pieces to exhibit — “Wondermaker 154” and “Wondermaker 155.”

This year’s theme is “I Am You. Individual and Collective Identities in Contemporary Art and Design,” and will run from Oct. 14-22 at the Fortezza da Basso.

“Hundreds of artists and designers from all over the world participate in this event each year, with more than 10,000 visitors,” Meyers said. “It’s exciting to think we will have this opportunity to showcase our work in such a prestigious art fair.”

(Terri Castelaz/Daily News photo) Mindy Meyers displays “Wondermaker 155,” left, and “Wondermaker 154.”

Each participating artist has a dedicated page in the official catalogue of the XIV Florence Biennale and competes for the “Lorenzo il Magnifico” International Award, conferred by an International Jury to the best works on show in each category, as well as for other special awards.

“You can say this is one of those once-in-a lifetime experiences,” Meyers said. “Fun to know that we will be amongst such talented artists and designers from all different parts of the world.”

The duo started The Wondermakers Collective, a long-distance abstract embroidery project, about seven years ago.

Meyers and Freimuth first connected on social media, as they admired each other’s artwork and soon looked into what they could create together.

“We tried several different mediums and began embroidering, as it was easy to ship back and forth between states,” Meyers said. “It was a fun pen pal project, and has grown exponentially.”

The founders of The Wondermakers Collective will bring two of their largest collaborated embroidery pieces to display "Wondermaker 155," left, and "Wondermaker 154."

The embroidery pieces are built by responding intuitively to each other’s mark-making.

“Nothing is drawn or preplanned,” she said.

Meyers explained that embroidery is a medium that allows them to work in unity and experiment with various techniques. Using felt as their matrix, the fabric is covered with applique, sequins and seed beads. The end results are colorful and abundant, with layers of texture and embellishment.

“Finished pieces result from our spontaneous process — disrupting one another to swap works and improvise what to add next,” she said.

Over the years, they have allowed their project to grow and become what it is today — artistically and interpersonally.

Mindy Meyers of Iron Mountain, left, and Jenna Freimuth of Minneapolis have been invited to take part in the XIV Florence Biennale in Florence, Italy, this fall.

“We not only are art collaborators, but best friends that has a relationship kin to a sisterhood,” Meyers said.

Their work has been featured in several exhibits, magazine publications and books, including in Uppercase Magazine, The Surface Design Journal, The Encyclopedia of Inspiration: Yarn, Thread String, and The Saint Kate Arts Hotel in Milwaukee.

Meyers, who is also Iron Mountain Downtown Development Authority program director, is a resident artist in the CWRK Collective space on the second floor of the First Bank building, 500 S. Stephenson Ave. in Iron Mountain.

“It’s been such a great thing to have a studio outside the home,” she said. “It’s a big step — gives me room to really create in that space.”

Meyers worried when she moved back to her hometown whether she would be able to continue her art career in a more remote, less urban area.

“There is a great art community and it’s growing,” said Meyers. “I’m thrilled to be a part of it and to have a studio space in the downtown.”

The internet also allows artists to create from anywhere in the world, Meyers noted.

In the future, Meyers hopes to host open studio nights and workshops for the community.

The Wondermakers duo is currently seeking sponsorship to assist with the cost of participating in the XIV Florence Biennale. Funds will help with shipping art to Italy and back, filing customs and documentations fees, exhibition participation fees, as well as travel expenses.

“It’s a creative investment,” she said. “It’s with a rewards system as well — donors will receive something from The Wondermakers collection.”

To help support them on this art adventure, go to https://crowdfundr.com/thewondermakers or email thewondermakers@gmail.com.

“This is a huge milestone for us and our project,” Meyers said. “It’s a privilege to work on a collaboration that means so much to us, and it’s an honor to see how much other people wish to support us.”

To find out more information on The Wondermakers Collective project go to https://thewondermakerscollective.com.

Terri Castelaz can be reached at 906-774-2772, ext. 241, or tcastelaz@ironmountaindailynews.com.