Mary Shannon Will lives and works in Calgary, Alberta and New Mexico.

Mary Shannon Will was born in Ithaca, New York, USA. She attended the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque (1970-71) and the University of Iowa, in Iowa City (1964-1967). Today, the artist divides her life and work between Calgary, Alberta and New Mexico. 

Mary Will’s work combines computer-generated imagery with hand-applied paint. The computer printout acts as the support for the paint and establishes the over- all composition. The artist’s concern is for patterning, layering, and repetition. Each detail of surface is precise and flawlessly detailed.The painted aspect of the work is determined from various invented, but strict systems. An example of one system involves selecting the colours based on all of the letters in friends’ names. Once the name is selected, a meticulous strategy is set up in terms of how the paint is to be applied and from which side of the paper each colour will start. While the work derives from a strict set of conditions, the end result is playful and rich with tactile surfaces.


Will has taught at the Emily Carr College of Art & Design, Vancouver, B.C and the Tuscarora Pottery, Tuscarora, Nevada. Her works are included in numerous private and public collections, notably, The Alberta Art Foundation, The Canada Council Art Bank, The Edmonton Art Gallery, The Glenbow Museum, The University of Calgary, University of Lethbridge, and University of Alberta. She has had numerous solo and group exhibitions at Paul Kuhn Gallery, Calgary; Miriam Shiell Fine Art, Toronto; University of Lethbridge Art Gallery, Lethbridge, Alberta; Stride Gallery, Calgary; Southern Alberta Art Gallery, Lethbridge, Alberta, The Glenbow Museum, Calgary, Alberta and in Albuquerque, New Mexico.