Today we’d like to introduce you to Mary Pegues.
Hi Mary, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Art has always been part of my world. I come from a family of artists, and being around creativity and galleries from a young age planted the seed early, even if I didn’t know exactly how it would show up in my own life. What I did know was that I loved people, storytelling, and helping others connect with beautiful things that meant something to them.
About sixteen years ago, I opened The Good Art Company with the goal of making the experience of buying original art feel personal, welcoming, and joyful. Not intimidating. In the beginning, I did everything myself, and honestly, that hands-on start shaped me into the kind of curator I am today. I learned quickly that great galleries are built on trust, relationships, and a strong eye for talent.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has definitely not been a smooth road. The early years were full of trial and error, long days, and a lot of learning the hard way. One of my biggest challenges was being one of the first galleries here to represent abstract and mixed-media artists in a very traditional western art market. At the time, that work was not widely accepted. I was questioned often. A lot of people did not think I would make it selling non-traditional art.
I believed deeply in the artists and in the direction the market was going, so I stayed the course. Over time, collectors began to trust my eye, and those once doubted styles became some of the most sought-after in the gallery. That persistence built lasting relationships with award-winning artists and the trust of seasoned collectors. What once felt hard now feels deeply rewarding.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
The Good Art Company is a carefully curated fine art gallery located in the heart of the Texas Hill Country. At its core, my business is about connection. I connect collectors with artwork they truly love, and I connect artists with the right audience to support long term, sustainable careers. Everything in the gallery is hand selected by me with great intention.
What sets us apart is how personal the experience is. I take the time to learn about my collectors, their homes, their lifestyles, and what they are drawn to emotionally. Many people walk in saying they do not know much about art, and they walk out confident because they were guided, not pressured. I also work very closely with my artists, not just selling their work but helping them grow professionally through marketing, branding, and long term strategy.
Brand wise, I am most proud of the trust we have built. Seasoned collectors trust my eye. Award-winning artists trust me with their careers. And new collectors trust that they will be educated and cared for every step of the way. I am also proud that we helped shift the local market by bringing contemporary paintings and mixed media art into a traditionally western art space and showing the community that fine art can be both bold and deeply livable.
What I want readers to know most is that this is not just a place to buy art. It is a place to discover, to learn, and to fall in love with something that will live in your home for a lifetime. Whether someone is a first-time buyer or a seasoned collector, they will be met with warmth, expertise, and genuine enthusiasm for helping them find the perfect piece.
How can people work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
There are several ways people can work with me, collaborate with me, and support what we do at The Good Art Company. For artists, we host an annual Call to Artists on our Instagram page every April 1st. Artists can submit their portfolios through April 7th. From there, I carefully review each submission, select new artists to represent, and then map out artist receptions and events for the rest of the year to introduce them directly to our collector base. It is a very intentional and relationship driven process, and many of our artists have grown long term careers through these connections.
For collectors, the best way to support us is simply to think of The Good Art Company first when they are looking for artwork. When someone purchases through our gallery, they are not only supporting a local small business, they are also supporting living, working artists, many of whom live right here in the community. Every purchase truly makes an impact, and that connection between collector and artist is what keeps this ecosystem thriving.
More than anything, I love being a bridge between people and art, and I am always open to meaningful collaborations with artists, designers, collectors, and creative partners who share that same passion.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.goodartcompany.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thegoodartcompany/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/goodartcompany/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-fredericksburg-good-art-company/?viewAsMember=true
- Twitter: https://x.com/TheGoodArtCo
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSIeqv0w39W6LL1_2ZPQmyw
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@the_good_art_company
