Reception: Remembering Mary Louise Pierson and Ann Rockefeller Roberts

Please join the gallery and Friends of Acadia as we remember and celebrate the lives of artist/philanthropist, Mary Louise Pierson (1954 - 2024) and author/activist Ann Rockefeller Roberts (1934 - 2024). 

Through many years of painting, Mary Louise Pierson became more and more fascinated with nature and man’s interactions with it, whether it be in a still life or a landscape depicting manmade structures. Some of her influences included Henri Rousseau, Edward Gorey, Saul Steinberg, and Grant Wood. Since 2013, the gallery has represented Mary Louise, promoting her paintings and photographs, most notably her paintings using book covers from as early as the 18th century. Mary Louise's marbling collage paintings depicting unusual fish and these book covers were her signature collection at the gallery. Mary Louise's show (July 6 - 31) will focus on her photography, highlighting a collection of images surrounding their family home, Kykuit and Acadia National Park.

Together, Mary Louise Pierson and Ann Rockefeller Roberts co-created the historical, photographic books entitled The Rockefeller Family Home, Kykuit and Mr. Rockefellerʼs Roads: The Untold Story of Acadia's Carriage Roads. Over the years, the gallery hosted book signings and events for these two publications, promoting this dynamic mother-daughter team, two women mirroring each other's passion and dedication to these landmarks in American history.