Thibault Gallery
Hopping into Your Heart One F.R.O.G. at a Time
story by ERIN WALLACE photos by CHARLOTTE BERKELEY
Art is no stranger to Beaufort. In a town where there are 12 flourishing art galleries quite literally side by side in our busy downtown area, you could even say local art is a huge hit around these parts. Thibault Gallery is one of these art galleries that is uniquely broadcasting local art.
“When God opens doors, Holy Moses, He opens doors, windows, and just everything,” says one of Beaufort’s very own, Mary Thibault, commenting on her thriving art gallery by our lovely waterfront. A Battery Creek graduate, Mary was born and raised here in Beaufort. Both of Mary’s parents were marines. Her dad was a drill instructor on Parris Island in the Corps for 20 years. Her mom was not in the Marine Corps as long as her dad, and she worked in civil service on the island after her billet was up.
Mary painted intermittently in her first marriage, but it wasn’t until she married Eric (a fellow high school classmate!) that her paintings flourished and took on new expertise. Mary credits Eric for helping her get her art where it is today through his constant encouragement; it was the recipe she never knew she needed. Even Mary’s kids noticed the considerable improvement in her work. Mary said they told her that her art really “blew up!”In addition to encouraging her artistry, Eric brought her dream to life of opening a gallery on Bay Street. Mary is keen on journaling her hopes and prayers, so this vision of her future gallery was something she had been writing about and even meditating on while painting for years. Mary said she enjoys praying before, during, and after she’s working on a piece of art. Thus, Mary said, “whenever I connect with God, my paintings just flow.” Faith in God has always worked for her, and it is what brings about such purpose behind each of her different pieces of unique art.
When Eric and Mary began the process of looking for a place to open their gallery, so many options coincidentally fell through the cracks. For the longest time, Mary couldn’t fathom why God would write this idea upon her heart for so long only to have it fall through time and time again. Little did the Thibaults know that Mary’s yearning for a spot on Bay Street was hiding out this whole time, waiting for the perfect moment to pop out. Flash forward to today, and they are working on their 8th year as a successful art gallery right on Bay Street.
It is important to note that Eric and Mary are both artists, which isn’t typical for co-owners of an art gallery. Therefore, they can relate to the artist and the customer. As artists, they know what it’s like traveling to and fro with their work, doing shows, and just overall how challenging it is to get your name out there. That being said, opening Thibault Gallery was meant not only for them as owners to shine but also for their artists to shine. Mary joyfully informed me that she and Eric do a happy dance whenever one of the artists who joined them sells an original or piece of work. Think about that next time you step into their gallery and buy one of their gorgeous works of art!
The Thibault Gallery represents 11 other artists, 9 of them from our local ranks, while the other two are in Florida. Mary assured me that they truly enjoy bringing on new artists, and their goal is to locate originality in the artwork every time, in other words, art that you wouldn’t expect to find down the street. Meanwhile, all of their chosen artists mesh together so well and feel like a family within the gallery’s walls. When it comes to the actual work of the gallery, Mary and Eric are the only two employees. It showcases the dedication this power couple has to their passion for art and this community. Even though their hands are full, their hearts are even fuller, being able to do what they love every day. They make a great team. They are husband and wife after all and are together 24/7, so it only makes sense. Mary says she wouldn’t want to have anyone else helping run this business, and I think anyone would know that just seeing them in action.
I asked Mary what it was like having so much competition in a heavily populated art district and her words were, “I really don’t think of the downtown as competition. Instead, we look at it more as we are all in this together.” The Thibaults are very familiar with the other downtown galleries’ work. They can refer anyone who walks in their door, looking for a specific piece that they do not have, to another neighbor gallery that might have what they are looking for. Mary stated that this happens quite often, and she desires each art seeker to have the best experience, whatever that looks like. This is a good reminder that Beaufort is a community so tight-knit and set apart that we look out for each other, even among the business world.
When this pandemic began last year, Mary and Eric had to get very creative with the gallery’s marketing. At the beginning of the COVID craziness, they were closed for six weeks. Luckily, they had already started an online store before the pandemic began. The only changes they had to make to their website were adding the rest of the art that wasn’t on their site already. An example of all the creativity that came with their gallery operating online was a partnership with our mayor (who wasn’t mayor yet), Stephen Murray, through his own t-shirt company! Their Beaufort-famous F.R.O.G. mugs were being sold at the same time she said, “If they had to keep their gallery alive by just selling mugs and shirts, well that’s what they were going to do.” Mary remarked that the gallery was indebted to the loyal customers who were the reason they got through that trying time.
Mary’s F.R.O.G. mugs have been a hit here in Beaufort. They produce the mugs themselves, and they even have a workspace in their back room to craft them. Mary acknowledges that they are indebted to Rene Changeux, their incredible digital artist who has always taken care of all of their prints. F.R.O.G. is an acronym that means “Forever Rely on God.” This saying has been out for the world to see on these masterfully made mugs for almost two years now.
F.R.O.G. can mean many things, but specifically for Mary, if she can point people in the direction of God through her work, then her number one goal has already been accomplished. That is the main point with the words behind the acronym on her distinct mugs. The painting of her frogs just so happens to bring smiles to people of all ages, and Mary just lights up seeing her work have this effect! For Mary, her faith in God is what helps her fear in life to vanish. She knows that He is over it all, and when she turns to God and trusts Him, she sees how He delivers every time. Mary, with delight in her voice, said, “God’s got this.”
Mary couldn’t be more right, God has been a huge part of the Thibaults’ story of achievement in the world of art, and her thankfulness to Him could not be more evident. She radiates encouragement and inspiration. If you haven’t had the chance yet, you need to step into the Thibault Gallery the next time you are downtown. Be sure to check out Mary’s F.R.O.G. collection that will guarantee to leave an impression on your heart and mind. While you’re there, you can gaze upon the beautiful driftwood sailboats that Eric makes. You will feel welcomed and walk away feeling renewed!
Not only can F.R.O.G. Forever Rely On God coffee mugs be purchased at Thibault Gallery but also at Lowcountry Cider Co. & Superior Coffee on St. Helena and Carolina Me Crazy in the Tanger Outlet Mall.
To learn more about Thibault Gallery, visit them on Bay Street and check out their website: https://www.thibaultgallery.com/
