ABOUT ANJA ZANDER
Anja grew up in Germany. In 2012, she and her husband moved to Saint Leonard, Maryland. Here she finally had the chance to work with wood. Starting as a hobby-woodworker besides her regular work as an archaeologist (her focus lies on South American/ Andean Archaeology), she realized that woodworking is more than a passion, and in July 2017 she opened her woodworking/art business ZanaWoodArtZ.
Much has changed since Anja started to be a full-time artist. While her early work focused mainly on functional home decor, she now creates a high variety of wood art, using many different styles, materials, and techniques to acknowledge the unique character of wood. Anja works with hardwood, softwood, driftwood, and veneer. She also combines wood with other materials like sea glass, fossils, ink, acrylics or metal leaf.
Now, most of Anja's art shows more of her personal character. As a nature lover, many pieces are inspired by nature's beauty and represent highlights of her outdoor experiences. Going even deeper, Anja also understands art as a very important medium to engage with people about current socio-political and environmental topics. Thus, her statement art is what she considers her most important work.
A COMMITMENT TO NATURE
A balanced relationship with nature is very important to Anja and as a woodworker she feels especially committed to reduce her impact on the environment. During her wood art career, she integrated various aspects to become more sustainable.
LOCAL & DOMESTIC WOOD
Most of Anja's art is made of locally sourced domestic wood. *
RECLAIMED WOOD & MATERIALS
Anja also works with driftwood and upcycled wood.
She also re-uses packing materials and reduces the use of plastic for her business to a minimun.
* Only a small amount of reclaimed exotic wood scraps is used in ZanaWoodArtZ jewelry.
CUTTING DOWN ON VARNISHES
Anja also cut down on varnishes and makes her own eco-friendly wood conditioner (a mixture of coconut oil & local beeswax.
BEE HOTELS & BIRDHOUSES
Every year in spring Bee Hotels & Birdhouses are on the agenda to provide shelter for pollinators and birds.
NEW IN 2023: PLANT A TREE!
To give back to nature, Anja donates from now on to organizations that restore forests in the US and worldwide
Trees planted in 2023
50
01/2023: One Tree Planted:
50 trees worldwide in areas affected by wildfires
AWARDS
2019
Arts & Craft Fair, Catonsville, MD
2nd place for
"Shadow of a Tree"
Upcycled Driftwood Lamp
2018
Best Booth Presentation
Patuxent River Appreciation Days (PRAD), Solomons, MD
2017
Sculpture Competition, North Beach
2nd place
"Chesie"
Driftwood Sculpture
MORE
Memberships
2018 -recent
Annapolis Woodworking Guild
2019-2021
Artswork@7th, North Beach, MD
Calvert Artists Guild, MD
2018-2019
Unique Boutique of Southern Maryland
2019
Northern Virginias Handcrafters Guild
Besides combining mixed media with her woodworking skills, Anja is also a photographer, writer and designer. If you interested in learning more about Anja and her work, follow her on social media or check out her portfolio and statement art.
"Between every two pines is a doorway to a new world." - John Muir