The Art of Living by Mari Ann Hollis: A Woman Who Captured Life Through Art
The Art of Living by Mari Ann Hollis
The Story of a Woman Who Captured Life Through Art
Introducing The Art of Living by Mari Ann Hollis
Mari Ann Hollis was much more than a dedicated customer of Surroundings Polish Pottery. She was a true lover of art, a thoughtful collector, and a woman who believed in supporting small businesses, including one built by a Polish immigrant pursuing her American dream.
Over the years, Mari Ann became part of our Surroundings family, building an extraordinary collection of Polish Pottery. Many of her treasured pieces came from our earliest years, and each reflected her independence, curiosity, and appreciation for artistic expression.
When we learned of Mari Ann's sudden passing, we knew that a collection assembled with so much love and individuality deserved a meaningful continuation.
Together with her longtime life partner, Andrew Kreig, and through our Collector's Heritage Reserve Stewardship Program, we are opening a new chapter for these beautiful pieces.
Our hope is that the joy, independence, and artistic vision Mari Ann brought into her own home will continue to shine through her collection for generations to come.
As these pieces find new homes and new tables, perhaps they will bring a little of Mari Ann's wonderful spirit of discovery into your life, too.
It is with great appreciation and excitement that we introduce The Art of Living by Mari Ann Hollis.
A celebration of art, individuality, and the beauty of everyday living.
The Art of Living by Mari Ann Hollis
A Celebration of Art & Life
Dear Friends,
What happens when we allow art into our everyday lives?
Perhaps we begin to see ordinary moments differently. A morning cup of coffee becomes a small celebration. A family dinner becomes a gathering of color, conversation, and memories. Our homes become more than places where we live. They become reflections of who we are, where we have traveled, what we love, and what brings us joy.
Today, I would like to invite you into a very special world of art.
The Art of Living by Mari Ann Hollis
Mari Ann Hollis (1955–2024) was a remarkable woman whose life embraced public service, education, travel, independence, and a genuine appreciation for art.
Originally from Vicksburg, Mississippi, Mari Ann built a meaningful career in Washington, D.C., working on Capitol Hill and in several federal agencies. Her work helped communities access important resources, including assistance following Hurricane Katrina.
Her curiosity reached far beyond her professional life.
She studied at universities in the United States and Spain, spoke Spanish fluently, traveled extensively, and developed a wonderful appreciation for different cultures and artistic traditions.
She loved flowers so much that, even while working on Capitol Hill, she found pleasure in working at a flower shop.
She also studied mosaic design at the Smithsonian and created mosaics of her own.
Looking back, I find that especially meaningful.
A Home Like a Beautiful Mosaic
I had the extraordinary privilege of spending time in Mari Ann's apartment in Alexandria, Virginia, thanks to the kindness and trust of her longtime partner, Andrew Kreig.
What I discovered there was something I will never forget.
Her home was a beautiful expression of artistic freedom.
Different styles, colors, textures, materials, and traditions existed together in remarkable harmony.
Like a mosaic, every element had its own character, yet together they created something extraordinary.
Or perhaps it was like a bouquet of flowers, where every bloom brings its own color, shape, and fragrance, and together they create something even more beautiful.
I remember watching the morning light illuminate the art she had so thoughtfully gathered. As the hours passed, the atmosphere changed, revealing new details and relationships between the pieces.
That experience helped me understand something I could never have learned from the collection alone.
Mari Ann did not simply appreciate art. She knew how to live with it.
Polish Pottery Was Part of Her Artistic World
Over the years, we at Surroundings Polish Pottery had the wonderful privilege of helping Mari Ann discover and select pieces for her growing collection. Often, we spent meaningful time behind the scenes discussing her discoveries, exploring possibilities, and sharing her excitement over the beautiful pieces she had fallen in love with.
Those conversations became part of our relationship with Mari Ann. Her enthusiasm was contagious, and we embraced the joy of each new discovery together.
She appreciated the remarkable diversity of patterns, shapes, colors, and artistic expression that makes Polish Pottery so special.
Her collection was not simply about matching pieces or completing a pattern.
It was about discovering beauty.
A new design could bring excitement. An unexpected combination could open another possibility. A familiar piece could become part of an entirely new arrangement.
That is one of the wonderful qualities of Polish Pottery. It is functional art, created to be touched, used, shared, and enjoyed.
Art does not have to remain behind museum walls.
Sometimes it belongs on our breakfast tables, beside a favorite chair, in our kitchens, or at the center of a gathering with people we love.
Mari Ann understood that beautifully.
The Art of Living Continues
Through our Collector's Heritage Reserve Stewardship Program, and with the trust of Andrew Kreig, we have been given the privilege of opening a new chapter for Mari Ann's extraordinary Polish Pottery collection. Each piece carries her curiosity, independence, and appreciation for beauty in its many forms. As these treasures find their way to new homes and tables, I hope they will continue to inspire discovery, creativity, and joyful gatherings, becoming part of new family traditions and stories passed from one generation to the next.
The Art of Living is not simply the name of a collection. It is an invitation to embrace life through art.
I am deeply grateful to Andrew Kreig, Mari Ann's longtime life partner, lecturer, author, attorney, and editor of the Justice Integrity Project, for trusting me with this extraordinary journey, sharing Mari Ann's stories, and allowing me to experience the artistic world she created.
And to every collector who welcomes a piece of Mari Ann's Polish Pottery into their home, I hope you will find not only beauty in the ceramics but also inspiration in the spirit behind them.
May the story continue at your table.
With love and appreciation,
Ania
Anna Krejci
Founder and Steward
Surroundings Polish Pottery
Piece. Love. Polish Pottery.
Discover The Art of Living Collection
The Art of Living by Mari Ann Hollis collection will be available to explore and shop on our website beginning Wednesday, October 14, at 6:00 PM Eastern.
But the journey has already begun!
Our special auctions are underway, offering you an opportunity to discover beautiful pieces from Mari Ann's extraordinary collection before the official website launch.
Explore Our Auctions & Shop Now
May the next chapter of The Art of Living begin at your table!
Piece. Love. Polish Pottery.