Tower-Summer 2019

SUMMER 2019 | TOWER 7 Oils. Watercolors. Fiber. Bronze. These materials are among the mediums many creatives use to make their artistic mark. But Anna Shiffler ’08 , who holds a bachelor’s degree in art education, has given rise to some of her finest works in the form of bread. A self-taught culinary artisan, she was first inspired to explore her craft during a 2010 trip to the French countryside her father-in-law calls home. Today, Shiffler, and her husband Zane Zwillinger ’10 , are the entrepreneurs behind the Daily Loaf, a cottage endeavor that has grown into a small-production micro business in a historic springhouse in Hamburg, Pa. “Working with dough is very akin to sculpting with clay,” Shiffler said. “As I developed my skill, I was able to put more of a creative stamp on how my products look. I started to focus a lot on the aesthetic of carving designs.” Professor of art education, Dr. Peg Speirs , who happens to be a regular customer, encouraged Shiffler to see herself beyond the traditional classroom. “She pushed me to explore other paths, not necessarily baking, but she broadened my mind to other possibilities.” Shiffler recently added Zwillinger to the bread-making mix to make room for her latest passion: pastries. “I’m currently obsessed with croissants, and I’ve been incorporating a lot of locally grown produce into them!” The couple talks about their next move and the importance of keeping things community based. And according to Shiffler, she’s not ruling out a fresh batch of baking curriculum. “Baking has become my artform, and I can see myself teaching it one day.” The Daily Loaf’s goods are sold at neighboring farmers’ markets, health food stores and cafes. Visit www.thedailyloaf.com for a full menu of options. BY MEGAN SCIARRINO