Mary Anne Barkley is a graduate of Gulfport High School and the University of Southern Mississippi. She taught elementary school on the Mississippi Gulf Coast for many years.

She is a member of the Gulf Coast Art Association and the Gulfport Fine Arts Club. For many years she volunteered her time teaching art lessons at the First United Methodist Church. She freely gives her time teaching young children art appreciation and expression.

The Mississippi State Medical Association and Alliance named her “A Favorite Mississippi Artist” for three consecutive years. In 2003 her work was juried in the George Ohr National Art Challenge.

“Dallas and Camouflage”, a watercolor painting of a black Labrador Retriever, was chosen to accompany an article published in the October 2005 issue of American Hunter Magazine.

While her home was being rebuilt after Hurricane Katrina, she resided in Florida and was invited to teach watercolor at the University of West Florida’s Center for Life Long Learning, with an emphasis on beginning and intermediate watercolor.

Mary Anne and Kathy McCall founded the Gulfport Galleria of Fine Art in the summer of 2007, of which she serves as a member of the Board of Directors. This ongoing cooperative of South Mississippi artists is currently located in the historic Carnegie Library Building in downtown Gulfport, Mississippi.

She has received various awards for her watercolor works. In some of her latest work, she incorporates paper to achieve a three-dimensional effect. She also creates original tile murals.

Her love for the Mississippi Gulf Coast leads her to take an active role in the preservation of green spaces, live oak trees, and historic buildings.

She and her husband, Dr. Jare Barkley, and dog, Roux, reside on Bayou Bernard in Gulfport. They are blessed with five children and five grandchildren. Many of Mary Anne’s watercolor paintings depict sea life and are easily recognized by their vivid color combinations. Her love for nature and color is a signature of her artwork.

Email: maryannejb@gmail.com