Mary Molyneaux
Mary Ellen Corder Molyneaux, February 26, 1945 – December 31, 22024, was a well-recognized and honored Northwest studio artist, working professionally for nearly 50 years. Mary has been an active part of the creative community since moving to Seattle, Washington in 1988.
Mary’s artwork is in the permanent collection of the Hallie Ford Museum, Salem Oregon. Her work includes 2- and 3-D forms and have been exhibited at the Bellevue Arts Museum, Hallie Ford Museum, Richland Allied Arts, Washington State University, Washington Convention Center Gallery, Whatcom County Museum, Schack Art Center, Anacortes Arts Festival, and other venues. Mary’s work is apso held in Northwest private collections, nationally, and in Europe. Her webpage is MaryMolyneauxArt.com.
Early Life and Education
Mary was born in the Kansas University Medical Center in 1945 and raised in suburban Kansas City, Missouri. She attended Grandview Hight School where she was a member of the Honor Society and awarded the prestigious Community Scholarship upon graduation. Mary received a Bachelor of Arts and Art Education degree from the University of Central Missouri, with advanced study at the Oregon School of Arts and Craft, University of Tenseness-Knoxville, and Corcoran School of Art, Washington, D.C. Shortly after her arrival in Seattle, Professor Larry Metcalf, Seattle Pacific University show cased Mary in a one-person show establishing her as a Northwest artist. This introduction to Seattle was the beginning of long associations with artists, galleries, and arts organizations.
Gallery Representation
Mary was recruited to the Mia Gallery and participated in group and individual shows. Upon closing, Mary began a long relationship with the Ballard Featherston Gallery, Seattle which later became the Featherston Gallery. She has also been represented by the RC Gallery- Portland, OR, Atelier 31- Kirkland, WA, Acme Design Gallery-Anacortes, WA, and ZOLA Fine Art, Los Angeles, CA. She was a featured artist at the Seattle Art Museum’s Sales and Rental Gallery. Mary is currently represented by Gallery Mack, Seattle, WA.
Service to the Arts
Mary was recommended for and juried into membership with the Northwest Designer Craftartists as a mixed media artist. She has continued as an active member since 1989. During her tenure, she served as Treasurer, helping to put the organization on a sound financial footing.
She has participated in NWDC group shows since joining. She also served on the Northwest Contemporary Art Council, Seattle Art Museum. In 1990, Mary began her long relationship with the Pratt Fine Arts Center. Developing her own work includes sharing that experience and skills with others. For over a decade, she taught classes in found object construction, collage, and assemblage. 2024 represented her 34th year of support for the Pratt Fine Arts Center. She has participated in the Pratt Auction each year, as well as supporting its annual fund and capital programs. Mary and her partner established the Mary Molyneaux Scholarship for Women. The scholarship supports artists that wish to explore new approaches and media in their work through Pratt’s many classes and studios.
Mary is survived by her husband Gary of 57 years, her brother Allen Corder and wife Sandy, her niece Rhonda Baker and husband Jeff. She is also survived by a large family of friends stretching from Europe, across the U.S. to Anacortes that will mourn her passing. Those wishing to remember Mary, may donate to the Mary Molyneaux Scholarship for Women, Pratt Fine Arts Center, 1902 South Main St, Seattle, WA 98144.
