ABOUT ANJA ZANDER
"Between every two pines is a doorway to a new world."
- John Muir
BIOGRAPHY
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 functional wood art is made of locally sourced domestic wood. Her favorite wood types to work with are ambrosia maple, cherry and walnut.
RECLAIMED WOOD & RECYCLED MATERIALS
Anja works with driftwood and reclaimed wood. She also re-uses packing materials and reduces the use of plastic for her business to a minimum.
LESS VARNISHES
Anja cut down on varnishes and makes her own eco-friendly wood conditioner (a mixture of coconut oil & local beeswax.
BEE HOTELS & BIRDHOUSES
Every spring Bee Hotels & Birdhouses are on Anja's to-do-list to provide shelter for pollinators and birds.
NEW IN 2023
PLANT A TREE!
To give back to nature, Anja donates to organizations that restore forests in the US and worldwide
TREES PLANTED
155
01/2023: One Tree Planted
50 trees worldwide in areas affected by wildfires (planted in Mexico)
03/2023: One Tree Planted
25 trees in the Andes, supporting indigenous communities
06/2023: One Tree Planted
30 trees planted where they are needed most
09/2023: One Tree Planted
50 trees planted where they are needed most
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
2018 -2020
Calvert Artists Guild, MD
2018-2019
Unique Boutique of Southern Maryland
2019
Northern Virginia Handcrafter's 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.
EXAMPLES OF ATTENDED ART SHOWS
2017
North Beach Art Show, North Beach, MD
2018
Artsfest, Annmarie Scultpure Garden, Solomons, MD
Unique Boutique of Southern Maryland, Prince Frederick, MD
2019
Arts in the Park, Richmond, VA
Lakefest, Columbia, MD
Northern Virginia Handcrafter's Guild, VA
2020
Artsfest, Annmarie Sculpture Garden, Solomons, MD
2021
Made Fair, Bozeman, MT
Made Fair, Helena, MT
2022
Made Fair, Missoula, MT
Art Sparkle, Greenbelt, MD
Eastern Shore Sea Glass & Beach Art Festival, St. Michaels, MD
2023
Arts in the Park, Richmond, MD
Eastern Shore Sea Glass & Beach Art Festival, St. Michaels, MD