Virginia B. Johnson

Biography

Virginia B. Johnson is primarily a costume designer and costume supervisor for film and television. Most recently her design work was seen on American Masters, Louisa May Alcott: The Woman behind Little Women, directed by Nancy Porter, written by Harriet Reisen and filmed in Massachusetts. Virginia received her MFA in 2000 from West Virginia University – Morgantown. She taught at Tufts University from 2000 to 2007 and was the Head of Design and Technology from 2002 to 2006.  She taught costume design, makeup design, costume technology and fashion history as well as courses on the principles of design.  She continues mentoring design students interested in film through internships and assistantships.

It is no wonder that Virginia’s own arts and crafts movement is grounded in textiles. She has been sewing since she was eight, learning how to do simple cross-stitch with her grandmother on the back porch of the Johnson home in a small town in Iowa. She took the first prize in home economics three years in a row at Dodson Junior High School in San Pedro, California purely out of diligent attention to measuring and treating the course just like algebra or biology.

Since moving to West Medford in 2006, Virginia’s focus has been on the sustainable practice of the domestic arts. She is the co-author of the blog: www.greenisthenewblack.squarespace.com.  Virginia explores ways to use what she already has on hand, mixes this with organic and local products, and creates non-disposable household goods. After viewing a wonderful exhibit on child models at the MUSÉE NATIONAL DE L'ORANGERIE in Paris, Virginia has also started experimenting with playthings and children’s garments.  Her love of color and whimsy seems suited to this new adventure. Virginia’s work strives to make art a part of everyday life in a multitude of ways and pays homage to the domestic creativity of the many women that have nurtured her.