A Lifetime of Art, A Legacy of Joy: Mary Engelbreit's Collection Finds a Home at WashU Libraries

We're thrilled to share some exciting news! Mary Engelbreit has donated a remarkable collection of her original artwork and creative archives to Washington University in St. Louis (WashU Libraries), ensuring that decades of imagination, creativity, and storytelling will continue to inspire generations to come.

As Mary approaches her 50th anniversary as an artist in 2027, this milestone is especially meaningful. What began as a little girl's love of drawing has grown into a career that has touched millions of lives, and now, a piece of that history will have a permanent home in her beloved hometown of St. Louis.

Preserving 50 Years of Creativity

The first donation includes 120 original illustrations, along with books, calendars, beloved consumer products, and original mockups from Mary Engelbreit's Home Companion magazine.

These treasures are now part of the Dowd Illustration Research Archive at WashU Libraries, where they will be carefully preserved, studied, and shared with future generations of artists, students, and researchers.

This is just the beginning! The donation is the first of five planned contributions that will help tell the story of Mary's extraordinary career, from her earliest illustrations to the instantly recognizable artwork that has become part of homes and hearts around the world.

A Special Exhibition Coming in 2027

Even more exciting, WashU Libraries is planning a public exhibition beginning in July 2027, celebrating Mary's five decades of creativity.

Visitors will have the opportunity to explore original illustrations, familiar characters, and pieces of Mary's artistic journey that they may never have seen before.

For longtime collectors and fans, it will be a chance to revisit cherished memories. For those discovering Mary's artwork for the first time, it will offer a glimpse into the imagination, determination, and unmistakable style behind her work.

The exhibition will also be part of a very special year as we celebrate Mary's 50th anniversary with events and collaborations throughout 2027.

Inspiring the Next Generation

While Mary's artwork is often celebrated for its whimsical characters, vibrant colors, and heartwarming messages, her story is also one of entrepreneurship, perseverance, and staying true to her creative vision.

By making her work accessible to students and researchers, WashU Libraries will help preserve not only the art itself but also the story of the woman who created it.

As Mary shared with WashU Libraries:

"I hope students will find something useful to study and will be able to see the joy I take in creating. I hope they'll realize that the joy is the whole point."

And really, isn't that what Mary's artwork has always been about?

Here's to the Next 50 Years of Inspiration!

We're incredibly proud to see Mary's creative legacy preserved right here in St. Louis, the city where her story began.

We're looking forward to sharing more details about the 2027 exhibition and the many exciting celebrations ahead. Whether you've been collecting Mary's artwork for decades or have only recently discovered her colorful world, we hope you'll join us in celebrating this extraordinary milestone.

Read the full announcement from WashU Libraries.

Stay tuned. There's so much more to come as we celebrate 50 years of Mary Engelbreit!