New Art Gallery Makes a Call to Artists

A trio of paintings inside Crockett Art draw attention to what may not be the most complementary characteristics of her subjects. Her paintings often reveal the feelings or the lifestyle of those within them.

STAMFORD  – Mary Crockett remembers when it wasn't  easy to find a place to display or sell her artwork. "I don't want other artists to feel that same frustration'" she said. 

There is a lot of creative talent in the Stamford area, according to Crockett, and she is inviting those talented artists to bring their work into Crockett Art, her gallery and studio at 66 Main St.. She is sharing the space with Lion Eyes Books.  Just go around to the side of the building.

She won her first art contest in Kindergarten and her creativity always manifests itself.

 "I have had art jobs and other jobs throughout my life," she admits, "but art always becomes a large part of it."   She received her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee. She worked as a marketing manager then art director for pharmaceutical companies,  founded and ran a graphic/web design company and was in financial management. Although successful, it was not for her. She said she happily returned to the world of art and creativity full time in 2022.

She is hoping a few local artists will venture into her studio in time for her grand opening on May 24 from 11-5. Her gallery hours will coincide with those of the bookstore, Thursdays through Sundays, 11-5.

She invites sculptors, painters, jewelry makers, photographers, etcetera. All artists in any medium.

"I appreciate the artists who feel their stuff is not safe or salable to exhibit. That's what art is all about," she said. Of course it must be acceptable for display to all, but she doesn't want them to be afraid of displaying what is unique or provocative. "The whole idea of expressing yourself as an artist is to find a way to make that okay and acceptable," she said.

As for herself, she does not settle on just one style. "I don't settle on one style. I pursue whatever interests me at the time," she said. She has painted neighbors, or flowers, or animals. Some are realistic and some are abstract. She picks up on the unique and many of her paintings tell a story or have a back story. An object may be a martini, or the appearance of someone who has lived hard or appears to be on  the edge of sanity.

"My hope is that those who see my portraits especially, will look more carefully at the world around them, to discover appeal and interest in all."

She sells her own art, but admits people don't buy a lot of art. "I want this to be a chance for local talent to display and possibly sell their art. A young artist is always looking for places to display their art, which can be difficult unless they have a name for themselves or a connection.”

Defining her own artwork,  she said it is  "stark realism" and it is far from realized with a focus on human characteristics, the ones people would usually prefer to keep hidden. As she works, things can come together and a story builds around it. 

She wants people to feel comfortable coming into the studio, not like the stark, white brightness of a more typical art gallery, but something more subdued. "A little Bohemian (free spirited), more subdued with music playing. I want people to feel comfortable coming in. I will be here working on my paintings and I won't be following them around while they are viewing the art." 

She and her husband found their way to Stamford when he had a job change. Previously she had an art gallery in Quakertown, PA.

One of her paintings is based on a Harlequin romance novel, in another, a horse is showing his teeth and curling its lips as if turning its nose up  at something and there is a portrait of her own fury friend, Viktor, a large great dane who has been noticed out and about in the village of Stamford. 

Her prices are not expensive and she does do portraits. You may text 267-810-2236 or email her at MaryLouiseCrockett@gmail.com or visit CrockettArt.com.

By all means, stop in and have a look.

Viktor, a great dane, curls up on his dog bed inside Crockett Art,  with his portrait in the background. The new gallery is inside Lion Eyes Bookstore at 66 Main Street in Stamford.

Mary Crockett works at her easel, surrounded by her artwork at her new gallery at 66 Main Street in Stamford, inside Lion Eyes Bookstore. While she is displaying her own works, she is calling all artists to display their works as well.

A painting Mary Crockett calls Frank hangs in the foreground, while several of her other works are visible inside Crockett Art.