This Saturday the Romney Place will be cutting the ribbon to a new gallery which features the creative and vibrant work of Mary Lou Romney. The exhibit, curated by her son Ben Romney, offers a journey through her life’s work, showcasing her profound dedication to the arts and being a testament to her legacy as an artist.
Mary Lou Romney, a luminary in oriental-style art, captivates audiences with her fusion of Asian and Western influences in her artwork. Her work, which spans several decades, reflects versatility, from botanical illustrations to landscape paintings. Her medium-- a mix of watercolor, acrylic and oil paintings. This all comes to life in the new exhibit.
Ben Romney, in an interview with BYU-Idaho Radio, reminisced fondly about his childhood with his mother, who passed away in 2003. He recalls many Sunday afternoons which were spent gathered around still life's and immersed in the joy of creation under his mother’s gentle guidance.
“We grew up in a home that was just full of creativity, and she always encouraged that,” he said. “It was great. It was a lot of fun to be around her because she was always looking for things, just drawing, sketching, doing things for just almost everybody. [She] brought a lot of light to people.”
Mary Lou’s artistic journey was not without its challenges. She was afflicted by a debilitating illness, including myasthenia gravis and rheumatoid arthritis which both cause severe limb and muscle weakness, but she faced the adversity with unwavering determination. Ben recalled what he likes to call a miracle, where all his mother desired was her hands back. She wanted to paint very badly but due to her muscles deteriorating, it was very difficult for her to do so. One day, she awoke with newfound strength in her hands and almost immediately began painting again. Most of those works she created afterwards are being shown at the gallery.
The exhibit serves as a tribute to Mary Lou’s unbreakable spirit and offers glimpses into her creativity. Each piece encapsulates a chapter of her remarkable journey and resonates with her resilience and dedication.
“What my mother taught me was that she didn’t need someone to come along and promote her. She just worked hard and she was determined to do good things and she loved people. She was kind to people,” Ben said.
As visitors walk through the gallery, they are invited to immerse themselves in the richness of Mary Lou’s artistic vision. Ben continues to cherish his mother’s legacy and works to preserve her artwork in hopes of sharing it with future generations. He believes her work is a testament to the power of creativity and is the legacy of a life lived with passion and purpose.
“She really lived a life of service and kindness and her art manifests that, everything she did was intentionally something to bring joy,” Ben said.
The exhibit is open to the public, it will feature live music and light refreshments. It will be opening this Saturday from 3-5 p.m., located at the Romney Place, at 4328 N 740 W in Rexburg, ID. If you are interested in attending the event, you may RSVP at romneyk@gmail.com. You can also visit their website marylouromneyart.comto see her work and learn more information.