Her Story
About Mary
Mary Kramer is a museum and art collections professional with over 20 years of experience. She studied painting as an undergraduate major with a minor in art history, which led her to pursue a master's degree in museum studies at Syracuse University. Her primary focus is on the registration and care of art collections, including managing permanent holdings and works on loan at a medium-sized museum in southern Florida. Her day-to-day responsibilities encompass operating a team-oriented registration department that handles documentation, protection, risk management, packing, handling, and travel of artworks. Kramer has built a strong foundation through work in private art collections, galleries, art fairs, and storage facilities, allowing her to preserve masterworks for future generations while pursuing her passion for the field.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Mary
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute that passion to my family. Family of extremely creative and supportive people, but really, namely, my parents. Really, from a very, very young age nurtured this passion. They fed it, they inspired it, they supported it. Even at times when they were unsure about where it would lead me, they recognized my talents and my passion extremely early, and did nothing but push me to achieve all that I wanted in the field. And I think that that's a gift I've been given. I also have a twin brother, and my twin brother was also nurtured in this same environment, and while he has, he's creative in different ways. He also supported, but he also, supported me on the level of my parents throughout my life. And still continues to inspire me in that way.
02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
It's a very rewarding field. It's very rewarding, again, to be around, master artworks of all, different types of artists. I would tell them to, oh gosh, I guess I would say It's really stay educated. You read every that you can about what you love. speak to. Everyone you know about. what you love. Every insight is valuable. to what we do, I would say All of your time pursuing the field is very well spent. For me, I've learned a great deal from those around me, from those I've worked with, from those I've studied with. And those I've been. in the company off. I would say, again, to to look up to others and use the resources around you. the app. My field is, as you can hear, it's very passionate, and we My colleague. and I are involved with this field because we feel so strongly about it and what we do. So I would say to get in touch with like-minded individuals. Because we are. We're all looking to propel and support the next generation going forward, because we do, take what we do so, so seriously, and we really. they do value. The work of others and sharing that with the future.
03What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The most important, value that I value. very strong within our field, remain very strong within our field, but also personally. Again, I come from a very, Large, honest, loving, ethical family. that. Has taught me always to see, the positive in everything. They've. powered me to be the best person that I can be. not only. For myself, but also as an example to others. And It's really always been a, that virtue has always been a guiding light in my life. And it's Enabled me to be an extremely strong, Leader, colleague, as well as a, a mother, a wife. And, A friend, a daughter, all of those things.
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