Mary Elizabeth Atwood: Artist in Residence, March – June
Mary Elizabeth Atwood is a storyteller at heart, weaving narratives through paint, clay, and performance. Her artistic journey began in childhood, where her godmother, Adda, introduced her to finger painting almost before she could walk. Raised on the rich folklore of her Irish grandmother and great-aunts, Mary grew up immersed in tales of fairies and magic, sparking a lifelong passion for storytelling.
Originally drawn to the stage, Mary discovered theatre in high school and pursued it in college, embracing the art of transformation. Her creative path led her from acting to mask-making, first crafting masks for a women’s drumming ceremony, then igniting a passion that evolved into teaching workshops. Eventually, her storytelling took a new form—faces on canvas, brought to life with vibrant color and emotion.
Mary’s work is deeply personal, shaped by the triumphs and trials of her life: loss and joy, invisibility and rediscovery, heartbreak and healing. These universal experiences are the foundation of her art, offering viewers a sense of community, reflection, and even a moment of inner peace. She believes in the limitless nature of creativity and the deep magic within us all.
Her artistic process is guided by intuition. Whether painting, sculpting, or crafting masks, she listens to an internal call—allowing figures and colors to emerge organically. Clay, as an extension of the earth, plays a sacred role in her practice, and each mask she creates is formed directly on her own face, honoring both her craft and the spirit of transformation.
As an Artist in Residence, Mary is eager to embrace the creative unknown. She looks forward to offering mask-making and meditative painting workshops, fostering a space where visitors can explore their own creativity. She welcomes all who are curious, whether to take a class, watch the process unfold, or simply be inspired.
Mary’s creative spirit extends beyond the studio. If she could share a dinner table with anyone, she would invite Michelangelo, Georgia O’Keeffe, Madeline L’Engle, Robert De Niro, and her great-aunt Anna O’Donnell—an exceptional artist in her own right. She imagines long conversations over bottles of wine, exchanging ideas and inspiration.
For those seeking artistic wisdom, Mary’s advice is simple yet profound: “Let go. Be brave enough to be vulnerable. The process is the work, not the end result.”
