We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Mary Mackey a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Mary, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

I was pretty young, maybe 7th grade. My grandmother was an artist, and always belived in me. I went to the Colorado Institute of Art to study Photography. when I was 20 years old and from then on I have always had part of my income from Art.

Mary, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I’ve always have seen the world threw pictures. Maybe that’s from being dyslexic, and so school was very difficult for me. Saying that though has made me think differently and I know this has been a big part of my creativity.

I also need many projects and endeavors going at the same time, it is the way I process the things around me. Not only with my businesses but also when I’m painting, printing, and doing ceramics.

I have always pursued my own art, but at the same time I’ve also put a lot of energy into supporting other artists, through owning a gallery and now with Urban Mud a community of artist.

As an older person I am able to look back and see all the things I’ve created: First one is Painting on the Berlin Wall for the East Side Gallery. It is now a world heritage site

Second starting and owning one of Denvers finest gallerys “THE MACKEY GALLERY” for 15 years, curating over 130 exhibitions, Voted one of Westword Magazine ” Best of” 4 times.

My own art work has been collected and shown all over the world. Japan, France, England, Singapore, New York, Dallas, Many places in California etc.

I have been able to create and make a living from art since I was in my 30’s.

Now Starting and owning Urban Mud 530 Santa Fe Dr in Denver since 2018, has been a great challenge and really rewarding for me.
I have now 70 members who have access to a beautiful ceramic studio, where they can create and show their own beautiful work.

My newest endeavors is buying a new building near “Urban Mud” which is very convenient, for my own art studio. Now I have the room to experiment with all the different media styles that I love. Assemblage, Ceramics, Painting, collaging with mixed media materials.

Since December 2023, I have been working on a whole new series of work and it has been one of the most rewarding times.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

I think being an artist and one who makes art, is very lucky at times. Sure a lot of the time you are second guessing yourself, and wonder why you work so hard and the work may never see the light of day. It’s a passion, and what is revealed can be a surprise.
The making of something out of nothing is very rewarding.

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

Buy art!!!!! Not something that has been reproduced over and over again. Everywhere there is art that is very accessible to everyone. It can be cheaper then the posters etc.
At least when you pay an artist it not only helps the artist that made it but didn’t help the big conglomerates make more money. The money stays local, Then reinvested in the local economy.

Contact Info:

• Website: urban-mud.com
• Instagram: mackeys.life
• Facebook: mary mackey

Image Credits
Jeff Wenzel