Mary did her art education at Australia’s oldest art institute, the National Art School in Sydney. She trained in the 1940s at an uncertain time in our history while WWII was still happening. The National Art School occupies the old Darlinghurst Gaol premises, beautiful colonial sandstone buildings. The site was heritage listed in 1921 as Australia’s oldest gaol, and now houses The National Art School. Many famous Australian artists have come through the School including Margaret Olley, John Olsen, Fred Bates, Guy Warren & Brett Whiteley.

Mary had success exhibiting her works with the Royal Art Society and the St George Art Society where she is a Life Member.  She joined other Art Societies when she moved to Port Macquarie where she exhibited and did demonstrations around the region including at Foster and Taree.  Mary is a Life Member of Redland Yurara Art Society and has had much success exhibiting over the years.