In 1973, with all the exuberance of a 23 year old, Marian bought a gallery she found listed in a classified ad. Operating out of a 490 square foot store so small it didn’t have room for both a storeroom and a bathroom, Marian learned by doing. In the beginning, she mostly sold prints, ready-made frames and knickknacks. All of her custom frame moldings fitted onto on 4 x 8 foot panel.

 

As she gained experience and wisdom, the gallery expanded around her. Customers came back again and again; Marian and her staff developed expertise in art, framing, and interior design.

 

In 1981, the gallery moved into the Columbia Mall store. Ron, the young 14-year old who used to help out on his way home from school, now worked fulltime. In 1987, Gallery 44 got custody of Bill, when the Asian art dealer for whom he worked folded.

 

In 1986, Gallery 44 moved to a 1500 square foot store in the Bethany 40 Center in Ellicott City. Then in January of 2000, Marian and company moved to the current location in the Valley Mede Center and doubled their showroom size.

 

That 4 x 8 foot panel of the original store has been replaced by more than 3,000 moldings. Marian is now recognized as an industry leader, with her expertise sought by Art World News, and featured in Better Homes & Gardens.