The Woodlands Arts Council is introducing a new vision for its annual fall show. Formerly known as the Texas Fine Craft Show, the event debuts Sept. 26-27 with a new name, The Woodlands Fine Craft, Art & Design Show. The transition embraces art and design beyond fine craft alone, but with a longstanding commitment to exceptional craftsmanship. At this curated, indoor event, patrons will revel in wearable design and jewelry, art and sculpture, and fine craft and home décor.
Among this fall’s artists is the incredibly talented, Houston-based and one-of-a-kind Mary Beth McGinnis of McMB’s Studios. McGinnis holds a math degree and worked in tech, building database applications on different platforms while nurturing her lifelong passion as an artist. She transitioned away from tech into art and its application to furniture. And now she rebuilds and recovers furniture pieces by hand with intense detail.
These days McGinnis is creating work that’s innovative and uniquely her own, and functional in all categories—art, living, sustainability. We asked her to tell us about the genesis of her original designs, and her processes, including her commissioned works.
TWCL: How did you get started in the art world?
MBM: When I was five to six years old, we lived in Afghanistan. I loved the colors and patterns in the paintings and carpets. I drew these designs in school and in my spare time. Mom recognized my artistic passion, and she went out of her way to find me art classes outside of school, even into high school.
When I retired from my tech career, I took adult education painting classes at the Art Institute of Chicago. This helped with what I’m doing now and encouraged me to think outside the box.
My husband and I bought our first house, and I hand-painted our china pattern between crown and picture moldings in our dining room, marbleized pillars, and painted clouds on our newborn son’s ceiling. I moved on to painting canvas floor cloths and Monet-inspired scenes on cabinet knobs.
TWCL: Discuss your art project that was a finalist in Australia’s 2000 Mosman Art Prize exhibit.
MBM: My husband got staffed for 10 months on a Sydney, Australia, project. I bought art supplies and studied most of the original Cubist artists and their approaches to Cubism. I spent my time in Australia creating Cubist paintings of our children. The one that was selected for the Mosman Art Prize exhibit was a painting of our daughter dancing in the garden.
TWCL: How did you transfer your art into furniture?
MBM: After finding a couple of cool chairs at a garage sale and choosing fabrics, an upholsterer negatively judged my fabric choices. Annoyed and frustrated, I needed to learn how to upholster because who needs the judgment? A one-weekend upholstery class and a beginning tool set gave me the courage to try and taught me the basic skills I needed. I thought I’d just do the dining room chairs, but upon completion, I felt so empowered by being able to do whatever I wanted that I couldn’t stop there. Our daughter is an accomplished artist, and I found a place where I could get her paintings printed on upholstery fabric. That was the first step to it becoming art.
I collaborated with other artists such as Elisa Boughner, an amazing Illinois artist who does landscapes, florals, interiors, etc. This expanded my capability and vision—I was seeking to do something truly innovative and unique. I started studying fashion and fine art. I taught myself to sew, rug tuft and metal leaf. Every time I learn a new concept, the possibilities endlessly expand.
TWCL: Discuss the fusion of art, living and sustainability.
MBM: A lot of fabulous, old chairs are ending up in landfills, when all they need is a little TLC, glue, a subversive screw or two, new stuffing and a new lease on life. I feel like they’ve already experienced hardships. My goal is to make them strong, beautiful and the center of attention. My preference is for the strong foundation in older solid pieces. The chairs I use for projects are heavy, solid wood pieces, but they have many more years left in them. The ones I take in are unique and substantial.
The same goes for textiles. I source the finest durable fabrics.
TWCL: Describe the satisfaction and fulfillment you find in your completed work.
MBM: I put my heart and soul into each piece. All my pieces are 100% functional. No cheap frames, no cheap textiles. My style is random, eclectic, adventurous, fun, unexpected, non-traditional. I love all my children—artistic and reality. I get great joy out of each piece I finish. But once completed, after a bit of separation and a glass of wine, I’ll nod my head and think,“Yup, that’s a good one!”
TWCL: What can visitors expect at your venue in the 2026 Woodlands Fine Craft, Art & Design Show?
MBM: The same textile and furniture quality with some new concepts. I’m adding drips, splats, flowers, etc., in a street-art kind of style. It’ll be fun!
TWCL: What do you see for your future projects?
MBM: The sky’s the limit.