Costume designer and maker specializing in wearable technology.
Amanda Jarvis is an interdisciplinary designer and maker who grew up in the High Plains of western Oklahoma. Her work and interests are focused on costume design, wearables, assistive technology, sustainable fashion, interaction design and makerspace education. She approaches the act of making as a way to interface with the world and connect with others.
Interests include: open source tools, circular design, sustainability, wearables, couture sewing, STEAM education, historical costume, soft interfaces, and upcycling.
Theater Experience:2018 The Night Thoreau Spent in Jail, Costume Design, Dir. Edward Gero, Mason Players, Fairfax, VA
2017 Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike, Costume co-design, Dir. Howard V. Kurtz, Little Theater of Alexandria, Alexandria, VA
2017 The Gondoliers, Run Crew, Dir. Ken Elston, Mason School of Music and Mason School of Theater, Fairfax, VA
2017 Iolanthe, Assistant Costume Design and Wearable Electronics Consultant, Mason Opera, Fairfax, VA
2017 Gogol’s Nose and Other Strange Tales from the City, Assistant Costume Design and Costume Crafts, Dir. Kristin Johnsen-Neshati & David Gaines, Mason Players, Fairfax, VA
2016 The Threepenny Opera, Assistant Costume Design, Dir. Ken Elston, Mason Players, Fairfax, VA
Workshops and Teaching:07.19.21 & 07.26.21 Paper Circuits workshop, Youth Summer Art Camp, Del Ray Artisans, Alexandria, VA
Fall 2019 Motion Midi Interfaces workshop modules for AVT 483 interactive art class, George Mason University, Fairfax VA
11.8.19 Design & Build Sewing Workshop for AVT 309 students, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA
07.15.19 & 07.22.19 Paper Circuits workshop, Youth Summer Art Camp, Del Ray Artisans, Alexandria, VA
Fall 2018 Sewing, Soft Circuits and Interactive Midi Controller workshop modules for AVT 483 Interactive art class, George Mason University Fairfax, VA
11.8.18 Inkscape and Laser Cutting for Classroom Assistive Technology for College of Education students, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA
Jan. 2017 - Dec. 2017 Volunteer Workshop Instructor, Soft Circuits and Sewing Workshops, Mason Innovation eXchange, Fairfax, VA
2014 - 2016 Freelance Sewing Instructor, Machine and hand sewing basics and garment construction to groups of home sewers, Fairfax, VA
Publications and Reviews:2019 “Stitching arts and engineering together for a purpose” by Mariam Aburdeineh, published in The George, August 7, 2019
2019 “Upcycle instead of being a part of the cycle” by Nayomi Santos, published in GMU Fourth Estate, April 15, 2019
2018 “Review: ‘The Night Thoreau Spent in Jail’ at George Mason University” by Chuck Leonard for DC Metro Theater Arts, March 31, 2018
2018 “Theatre Review: ‘The Night Thoreau Spent in Jail’ at George Mason University” by Lee Jeffreys for MD Theatre Guide, April 3, 2018
2017 “Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike” Live at The Little Theatre of Alexandria thru Nov. 11” by By Theatre Editor Sara Dudley Brown in The Zebra, October 30, 2017
Work Experience:Sep. 2020 - Present CARES Act Program Manager, Virginia Small Business Development Center, Fairfax, VA
Jan. 2020 - Sep. 2020 Innovations Program Manager, Mason Innovation eXchange, Fairfax, VA
Jan. 2018 - Dec. 2019 MIX Maker Manager, Mason Innovation eXchange , Fairfax, VA
Aug. 2017 - Dec. 2017 Costume Shop Intern - Stitcher, Center for the Arts, Fairfax, VA
May 2017 -Jul. 2017 Textile and Costume Research Internship, Hillwood Estate Museum and Gardens, Washington D.C.
2013-2016 Office Administrator and Government Property Administrator, Azure Summit Technology, Fairfax, VA
2012-2014 Owner and Designer, Amanda Grace Handcrafted Jewelry, Fairfax, VA
Education:2022-2023 Master in Design for Emergent Futures, Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia, Barcelona, Spain
2021-2022 Postgraduate Studies in Fabricademy, Textile and Technology Academy
2016-2020 Bachelor of Individualized Study, Design for Emerging Technology in the Arts, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA
2011 A.S. Business Administration, Northern Virginia Community College, Annandale, VA