American Visionary Art Museum Announces New Solo-Exhibition "The Strength to Be Joyful: Messages from Mary Proctor"

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

(Baltimore, MD) – The American Visionary Art Museum (AVAM) will debut “The Strength to Be Joyful: Messages from Mary Proctor” on Saturday, August 2, 2025. The two-year landmark solo exhibition, located on the 3rd floor of the Zanvyl A. Krieger Main Building, is dedicated to the astonishing life and luminous work of Southern visionary artist Mary Proctor, also known to many as "Missionary Mary."

"I am thrilled that The Strength to Be Joyful is the first exhibition to open under my leadership," says Ellen Owens, AVAM's new Executive Director. "It stands as a potent symbol for both AVAM's incredible past work while demonstrating our future commitments to honoring diverse living visionary artists and promoting human creativity as an anecdote to hardship. Mary Proctor has never been honored with a solo exhibition at AVAM, and in this show her authentic voice shines not only through her artworks, but also in videos and quotes directly from Proctor herself."

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.

Owens notes, "Proctor's work uses common objects to communicate powerful messages: Buttons, broken teacups, and well-worn toys adorn old painted doors, narrated by her inspirational writings. Featuring 35 works in an immersive environment that mimics Proctor’s actual homestead, visitors journey through her personal experiences, uplifted by her buoyant attitude."

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. 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.

"The Strength to Be Joyful reminds us never to lose hope, even during the most difficult of times," Owens reflects. "I hope that people will pause their doom-scrolling to come and bask in positivity and raw artistic expression."

For media inquiries, please contact marketing@avam.org.