⭐️ Margaret Mary Hurley

We’re excited to introduce Margaret Mary Hurley, who has been volunteering with the Box Factory for the Arts for the past four months!

Margaret Mary was drawn to the Box because she believes art has the power to connect people. To her, the Box Factory is more than a beautiful historic building—it’s a place where creativity, curiosity, and community come together.

“I love being a part of something that gives artists a place to be seen. It gives people a reason to walk through the doors, discover something new, and perhaps see the world a little differently.”

When asked what she enjoys most about volunteering, her answer is simple: the people! She loves meeting artists, visitors, and fellow volunteers and hearing their stories. Being part of the Box gives her a sense that she’s contributing to something bigger than herself and helping keep creativity and community alive in St. Joseph.

Margaret Mary describes the Box as “a place where history meets imagination.” She loves that you can walk through the doors simply to look around and end up discovering an artist, a piece of art, or an experience that stays with you.

Creativity is a big part of how Margaret Mary sees the world. She loves storytelling, music, movies, history, and finding beauty everywhere. She describes her creative practice as “the way I look at the world”—always collecting ideas, stories, and little moments.

She also loves exploring, traveling, discovering interesting towns, listening to live music, browsing thrift and antique stores, and spending time outdoors. Most of all, she loves learning something new—and admits she can turn a simple outing into a grand adventure!

Something that might surprise people about Margaret Mary is that she grew up on the South Side of Chicago in a family of 12—with one working bathroom—and 114 kids on her block. As she describes it, it was basically a small, chaotic village where privacy was a luxury and there was always someone to play with, argue with, or learn something from.

“Growing up that way taught me to be resourceful, adaptable, and comfortable around all kinds of people. It also taught me that you don’t need much to have a rich life—you need people, imagination, a good sense of humor, and the ability to make an adventure out of whatever you’ve got.”

Looking back, Margaret Mary says that childhood shaped the curious, social person she is today. It also helps explain why community is so important to her.

“Community isn’t something you belong to—it’s something you create.”

We’re so glad Margaret Mary is helping create that community here at the Box Factory. ❤️ Thank you, Margaret Mary, for sharing your curiosity, enthusiasm, sense of adventure, and love of people with us!