Hundreds of thousands of people head to North Carolina’s Brunswick Islands each year for fun along the coast. And anyone who regularly visits Holden Beach will tell you Mary’s Gone Wild is a can’t-miss, quirky little roadside folk art garden that anyone heading to Holden Beach should see. What’s more: the backstory behind this whimsical garden, and its artist, is inspiring.
Here is an abbreviated version: Mary Paulsen, the artist behind Mary's Gone Wild Folk Art, many years ago had a passion for dolls — not just any dolls, but old, broken dolls that she would repair and bring back to life.
A walk through Mary's garden doles out a colorful experience sure to bring both a smile and a look of awe to your face. From a bright flamboyance of plastic pink flamingos seeming to graze on the lawn to tiered flower gardens made from recycled wine bottles and more, you'll love this lively and colorful place.
It's a bit harmonious how the many items she's collected and/or adorned with her signature art all seem to fit together perfectly, even though the only thing they have in common is Mary's magical touch.
Structures, statues, quirky items donated by neighbors... you name it and Mary not only has it, but also has found a way to make it perfectly fit into the mix.
You may be wondering if Mary sells any of this gorgeous rubble.
The answer is yes, but not everything is for sale. Her famous old windows adorned with her colorful artwork are a sought after commodity, as are her paintings. You'll love the colorful names she gives to her works of art.
Whether you're seeking to add a piece of Mary's legendary art to your collection or are just super curious about the folk art village, Mary's is an inspiration that takes many forms.
Mary’s Gone Wild is located at 2431 Holden Beach Rd. SW, Supply, NC 28462. (As a mere point of reference, it’s 200 miles from Charlotte, 35 miles from Wilmington, and 75 miles from Topsail Beach.) It’s open 365 days a year, with no admission fee. Please observe the following hours of operation seven days a week: 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Learn more on Mary’s official website.
