MEET MARY EDWARDS, Art Coach

Background

I bring a unique combination of business knowledge, art world experience, and professional coaching skill to my practice.
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I have worked in the art world for the past decade. Before that, I spent many years in the business world, helping leaders strengthen their management skills, and teaching salespeople how to improve their selling skills. I held senior management positions at Lockheed Martin Corporation and Levi Strauss & Co. While I was at L. S. & Co., I lived and worked internationally, in Europe, Asia, and Latin America.

Later on I served as Executive Director of Art Works Downtown, a large nonprofit art center in San Rafael, CA. In my years there I discovered my passion: to use my business skills and background to help artists and arts organizations grow and prosper. I have written articles and columns for magazines, including Studios, Artists & Makers, and Professional Artist.

Mary Edwards, Ph.D.

Credentials

I have a Ph.D. from the University of Michigan (Ann Arbor) and received my coach training from the College of Executive Coaching. Over the past several years I have taught workshops for artists and art students at colleges, universities, nonprofit art institutions and independent bookstores in the San Francisco Bay Area. These include “Jump Start Your Art Career,” “How to Get the Most out of Open Studios,” “Legal Issues for Visual Artists,” “Keys to Success for Fine Art Photographers,” and “How to Improve your Online Presence.”

I also serve as a Mentor and Coach for artists in the TED Program, sponsor of the popular TED talks. I am a member of Northern California ArtTable, a professional organization for women in the arts, and I have been a member of SECA, the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art organization that selects painters (and other visual artists) for the prestigious SECA Art Award.

Contact Information

I live in San Rafael, California, collect art and love working with artists and arts and cultural organizations.

I can be reached via telephone and email at:
Mary Edwards 
(415) 302-0518 
Email: Mary Edwards