"I want people to gather up what Mary brought to the world and that's joy, hope, love and peace." — Mary Proctor

"When I create, I feel like a butterfly." — Mary Proctor

The Strength to Be Joyful is a visionary art exhibition celebrating the life, spirit, and creative journey of Mary Proctor. Raised by her grandmother in rural Florida, Proctor turned to art after a fire took her grandmother’s life. In the wake of this tragedy and during a deep depression, a spiritual vision told her to Paint the door. Using salvaged materials and deeply personal memories, she creates powerful, joy-filled works layered with handwritten messages, broken china, house paint, and all sorts of odds and ends from her flea market past. Her art speaks to forgiveness, resilience, and the everyday miracles of love and faith. This two year exhibition, housed on the third floor of our Main Krieger Building features Mary’s story in her own words and the many wisdoms she has gained throughout her life. The Strength to Be Joyful invites viewers to reflect, heal, and carry forward the courage and joy that Mary has so generously shared for more than 30 years. Her doors don’t just open—They speak.

In a world too often darkened by despair, AVAM is proud to shine its brilliant spotlight on a woman whose life and work sing like a gospel choir to the redemptive power of joy, love, and spirit-led creativity. This fall, AVAM presents "The Strength to Be Joyful," a landmark solo exhibition dedicated to the astonishing life and luminous work of Southern visionary artist Mary Proctor, also known to many as "Missionary Mary."