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About the Xenis Collection and the Artists, Marlene Xenis and Tania,

In 1994, Marlene Xenis and her daughter Tania began the Xenis Collection, operating from a small shop located in Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada.

Marlene designed the original collection and also had the idea of incorporating musical movements from Switzerland into the dolls. During the first year, all the painting of the doll's heads was done by Tania.

The demand for these exquisite dolls grew and now a small team of highly-skilled artists have been trained to replicate the designs and produce them within the exceptionally high standards required

 Marlene Xenis (President)

Born and raised on the West Coast of British Columbia, Marlene was the inspiration for the creation and development of these wonderful dolls. A student in Royal Conservatory of Music and a member of the theatre guild for many years, the arts have always played an important role in her life.

Approximately six years ago, Marlene began making dolls as a hobby. Although very basic, these dolls became popular enough that she entered several local craft shows where the dolls sold successfully

Over the following years she worked at improving her design, incorporating the artistic talents of her daughter, Tania. 

Music in the form of high quality movements, is now an integral element of all of the dolls.

Tania Xenis (Designer / Artist)

Born in Maple Ridge, Tania showed promise as an artist from the age of five. At eight, she received her first art award in a province wide Canadian Forest Products poster contest.

Tania studied architechural design at UCFV in B.C., graduating in 1992. She now resides in Penticton, B.C., the Okanagan Valley's peach capital, and works full time while pursuing her art on a part time basis.

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