Meet a Blount County Artist and Her New Gallery

Artist Pinkie Mistry adds a splash of color with her new art gallery in Maryville.

By Kelly Rogers on January 2, 2024

Nathan Lambrecht

There’s a new art gallery in Maryville: Pinkie Mistry Gallery and Studio. The featured artist and owner is Pinkie Mistry, a local talent whose artistic endeavors have included graphic design, book illustrations and mural projects. 

These days, Pinkie focuses on her oil paintings, which can be seen on display at her new gallery located above Neighborly Books on Broadway Avenue in Maryville. The space is also where she paints. Mistry speaks about her experience as an artist in Blount County. 

What was it like growing up in East Tennessee and why have you stayed? 
I enjoyed growing up here. We went to the river in the national park and picnicked at Cades Cove and Douglas Lake a bunch. It was a pretty fun childhood. Being a minority and culturally different was a small challenge but the people are so nice here. We traveled a lot, and it was always nice to come back home to our mountains and the Southern hospitality. 

What was the journey like to open your own art gallery in Maryville? 
It was surprisingly fast. I had a dream to open an art gallery/studio since I moved to Maryville six years ago – but I didn’t think it would happen this quickly. I did a couple of art showings at Sky View, one for an Uncorked VIP event and another during Summer on Broadway, where I met Laurie (Meier) with Neighborly Books. I reached out to her about the upstairs space, and sure enough, here I am. My husband Jeremy helped me transition my home studio to the gallery. We did a few DIY projects to give it a cool vibe. We also had some help from some dear friends through the process. Overall, it turned out exactly the way I wanted it. 

What medium do you work with and what do you love about it? 
Oil paints is my preferred medium. I love how the colors blend so easily and I also love the thick textures I get from using a palette knife. 

What has most surprised you as your business has grown? 
I think the fact that I’ve always had a project going on. Since opening the gallery last October, I have sold paintings off the walls and also had a few commissioned pieces to work on. I have had such a great response from the community with my gallery. It’s a little overwhelming but I’m so grateful. 

What advice do you have for aspiring artists in the area? 
Network. Most of us artists are total introverts, so this is a challenge, but it’s worth it. Make friends, make connections. Dream big and don’t stop doing what you love.