Mary Engelbriet’s artistic abilities surfaced early. By age 11 she was already producing works of art.
Her high school guidance counselor at Visitation Academy encouraged her to attend college and become a teacher, but Englebreit had other plans. She skipped both college and design school and soon had what the Wall Street Journal dubbed “her vast empire of cuteness.”
That art empire became highly recognizable and profitable.
Englebreit lived in Webster Groves for many years and was honored with that city’s 2019 Lifetime Achievement in the Arts Award. She’s currently a resident of Ladue.
This post was contributed by Ross Malone. A historian and a retired school teacher, Ross has authored many books about Missouri’s history, weird facts, and folk tales. He has also written children’s historical fiction. Visit his website, and buy his books in the Missouri Life store.
Photo credit: Daria Tumanova, Unsplash
Related Posts
Tornado Outbreak in St. Louis
On September 29, 1927, a tornado in St. Louis killed 85, injured as many as 1,500, and destroyed much of the area from Webster Groves to the Central West End and eastward to the Mississippi.
June 5, 1822
On this date Samuel T. Hawken arrived in St. Louis to begin making his famous Hawken's Rifles—the favorite of mountain men and pioneers.
June 8, 1923
The national dance marathon was narrowing down at the St. Louis Coliseum. Eighteen-year-old Hilda Johnson dropped out after 147 hours. She got a world record and $700. Three men were still dancing.