New in the EAC Shop: Mayana & Friends

As a central hub for all things local, the EAC Shop & Services is dedicated to supporting and connecting Edmonton’s diverse community of artists and creatives with the world. 

One of the newest vendors in the shop is Mayana & Friends. Proudly Filipino-Canadian, Mayana & Friends specializes in plushies and characters with disabilities and differences, inviting children to embrace inclusion and recognize that differences are normal. Through toys, storytelling, and creative engagement, their mission is to foster understanding, empathy, and confidence in kids of all abilities. 

To learn more about their adorable collection of plushies, we asked founder Anna Parker about the beginnings of Mayana & Friends, where she draws inspiration for her creations, and how she’s seen the community conversation around differences evolve since she started this creative venture. 

Tell us about your background as an artist and maker. How did Mayana & Friends get started?

I have a background in fine arts, completing my BFA in Edmonton and later earning my MFA in Sweden. My graduate work was heavily influenced by how children create art and interact with the world — playful, imaginative, and unfiltered. I created large-scale plushie installations designed for kids to engage with, blending soft sculpture and storytelling. 

After stepping away from the art world, I spent nearly a decade working in marketing, social media, production, and PR. But everything changed when I became a parent. After learning that my child was born with a congenital limb difference, I began looking for toys and stories that reflected our experience. I scoured bookstores and searched online for limb-different characters or plushies — and found very few. 

That moment sparked something in me. I decided to bring together everything I had learned as an artist and creative professional to build something new: Mayana & Friends. I partnered with my brother Allan, and together we began designing plushies inspired by our own childhood — imagine bold, expressive characters with a touch of classic Cartoon Network energy. I wanted the toys to feel like doodles that came to life — playful, imaginative, and inclusive. 

Mayana & Friends was born out of love, creativity, and a desire to normalize differences through play. 

What inspired the creation of the first plushie in the Mayana & Friends collection, and where do you draw inspiration for new creations?

The first plushie in the Mayana & Friends collection, Dougie, is a deeply personal one. His name, personality, and character are inspired by my late father — it’s a quiet tribute and a special legacy for our family. I don’t share that part often, but it’s at the heart of where this all began. 

Our inspiration for new characters comes largely from the limb-different community — especially the kids. Their favourite animals, stories, and the way they express themselves help shape each plushie. Through these creations, my goal is not just to represent differences, but to normalize them — so that all kids can see themselves reflected in the toys they play with. I’m excited to keep expanding the collection with characters that celebrate and embrace all kinds of uniqueness. 

Your creations really resonate with people. Can you tell us about a memorable story you’ve heard from someone who owns or has been gifted one of your plushies? 

Oh gosh, there are so many! I’ve heard from child psychologists, parents, preschool teachers, and adults with limb differences — all sharing how meaningful the plushies have been. They’ve told me how helpful they are as tools to talk about limb differences with children, not just those with visible differences, but also with kids who don’t, as a way to normalize and celebrate diversity. 

They’re also being used in educational settings, from classrooms to medical institutions. One project I’m really excited about right now is a partnership with Dr. Cooper, Walk Tall Program & International Limb Difference Network at BC Children’s Hospital. We’re currently running a research study on the benefits of limb difference plushies for their young patients — not just socially, but also emotionally, as a source of support and representation. It’s been incredibly moving to see the impact. 

One moment that really stands out for me is getting the opportunity to collaborate with BC Children’s Hospital to help rewrite the language used on their website around limb differences. Being part of that process — ensuring the language is more inclusive and reflective of the community — was incredibly meaningful. It’s amazing to see how small changes in language can have a big impact, and I’m so proud that Mayana & Friends is helping to foster these conversations. 

What can we expect next from Mayana & Friends in terms of new friends in the collection or possible collaborations?

I can’t reveal too much just yet, but let’s just say some new friends are on the way — and they might be a little smaller than usual! Keep an eye out for some adorable pocket-sized pals joining the collection soon.