Mary Featherston AM

Mary Featherston AM is an interior designer specialising in the design of learning environments. The focus of Mary’s research and practice is the relationship between young people, contemporary learning theory and the design of supportive physical environments in cultural venues and schools. She has collaborated with leading Australian and international educators, architects, school communities and policy makers to develop highly participatory design processes and innovative physical environments. Her work has been widely awarded and published.

Featherston has collaborated with several activist groups to develop new services for families and children: Community Child Care and Community Schools in the 1970s and the Reggio Emilia Australia Information Exchange in 1995. In 1982 Mary successfully campaigned for the establishment of Australia’s first Children’s Museum in the Museum of Victoria and was subsequently commissioned to develop and design several interactive exhibitions.

Featherston is an Adjunct Professor RMIT University. In 2020 she was made a Member of the Order of Australia for significant service to the arts, particularly to interior and industrial design. In 1965 Featherston formed a life and professional partnership with Australian designer Grant Featherston, they were inaugural inductees into the Design Institute of Australia Hall of Fame and they are represented in the collections of several State Galleries and the National Gallery of Australia.