An exhibition titled "You Paint Too Pretty – My Art Journey" by Saint Mary's College alumna Mary Ann Roach Butkovich is on display at the Moreau Gallery on the college's campus in South Bend from April 23 to June 6, 2026. Butkovich, who graduated from Saint Mary's College in 1964 with a degree in art, has furthered her studies at the Art Academy of Cincinnati and the University of Cincinnati, and her work has been shown at venues including the Cincinnati Art Museum and The Contemporary Art Center in Cincinnati. She draws inspiration from nature, music, and personal experiences, and admires artists such as Helen Frankenthaler, Paul Jenkins, and Morris Louis. A closing in-gallery talk is scheduled for June 6.
This story matters as it highlights a local alumna's lifelong artistic journey and the continued role of small college galleries in supporting and showcasing regional artists. It underscores the importance of community-based art spaces in fostering connections between artists and audiences, and in preserving the legacy of artists who have maintained a practice over decades. The exhibition also reflects broader themes of artistic evolution and the personal significance of creative expression, as articulated by Butkovich's description of art as "oxygen for the soul."