Welcome to jeffersoncountyartguild.org!

Mary Elizabeth Bhat was born Mary Elizabeth Miller in Jefferson City, Missouri, in 1946.

She often recounted stories of her childhood, remembering beloved pets, playing in her grandmother's apple orchard, and marching in JFK's inaugural parade in Washington, D.C., with her high school band.

After graduating high school, Mary went to SLU Nursing School. There she met Janardhan (Jana) Bhat, who was an international student attending SLU Graduate School. They fell in love and married, and had three children, settling in St. Louis.

Jana was tragically killed in an airplane crash in 1977, and Mary decided to move the family to Crystal City. She built her house and was a resident of Crystal City for almost 50 years.

During her time in Crystal City, Mary explored many different careers and her creative impulses. She was a natural storyteller and could engage anyone in conversation and make them feel at ease. She was an orator, spending several years in Toastmasters improving her public speaking skills. She helped raise her grandchildren and was a very generous and kind neighbor and friend.

In Mary's later years, she greatly enjoyed her yard and trees, and spending time walking in the neighborhood.

But Mary's greatest love was art and writing. She was a dreamer and a creative who saw beauty in glass, beads, wire, and painting. She was very proud of being a self-taught artist who was constantly evolving and improving. She was the epitome of a lifelong learner, always interested and eager to hear about, discuss, listen to, or read new ideas, new techniques, or explore her creative endeavors.

Mary was fiercely independent and loved her freedom. In her last days she expressed that she loved being able and being able to work on her art as much as she liked.

Mary passed away on June 6, 2026, after a sudden brief illness. She leaves behind her children, grandchildren, cousins, and countless friends who will greatly miss her kindness, humor, her enthusiasm, her energy, and her animated conversation. Her generosity of spirit endures.

Mary's art is on display at Under the Tree on Festus Main Street, the Festus Library, and the Enterprise Bank and Trust in Festus.