Mary Nohl Education Resources

Mary Nohl refused to be confined by artistic categorization. She was a painter, sculptor, ceramicist, printmaker, potter, woodcarver, writer, illustrator, and jeweler who described herself as simply “a woman who likes tools.” Nohl was also an environment builder who altered her lakefront home by filling every room and a large part of the yard with her works of art. Nohl often made her own rules; whether it was melting down her mother’s sterling silver to make jewelry or walking along the shore of Lake Michigan looking for flotsam to build driftwood figures, she was interested in everything and how it could be used in her creations as materials or inspiration.

Travel was an integral part of her life. Nohl learned as a girl that travel was an opportunity for her to explore the visual culture of other places, and she sketched and wrote about regional styles wherever she went. What influenced her the most, however, was the immense lake just outside her door. Nohl envisioned a fantasy world beneath the waves, where creatures lived funny and interesting lives. A cast of characters emerged in her paintings, sculptures, and in the bas-relief wooden friezes that enveloped her small home. The environment Nohl made was highly expressive of both her artistic character and that of her lakeshore cottage and yard.

Living alone, Mary was often perceived as introverted, but actually led a very sociable life. She held memberships at various art-based and social clubs—among them the Milwaukee Potter’s Guild, Chi Omega Sorority, Optimists Club, and the Walrus Club—and she frequently hosted guests in her home.