from potter to gallerist

teaching, creating & curating

Nancy Margolis (b. 1930) began her career as a ceramicist in 1966 while raising four children in Auburn, ME. Seeking a creative path, she studied pottery at the University of New Hampshire and began exhibiting her work at craft fairs across New England.

In 1971, she founded the Ceramics Department at Bates College, teaching for a decade while curating annual exhibitions for her students and local artists. This experience deepened her connection to the art world and set the stage for her future as a gallerist.

the first gallery

In 1974, Margolis opened her first gallery — originally Maple Hill Pottery Craft Gallery — in Perkins Cove, Ogunquit, ME. The seasonal venue showcased her own ceramics alongside works by other craft and fiber artists.

At the time, the American Crafts movement was thriving — bursting with innovation, discovery, and creative energy. Margolis embraced this momentum, providing a dedicated space for her artists to gain exposure and exhibit their work.

project engine house

building a year-round gallery

While continuing to run her Ogunquit space, Margolis purchased an historic 1879 fire station in Auburn, ME, transforming its second floor into her first year-round gallery. The Engine House swiftly became a cultural hub, fostering a dynamic intersection of art, community, and curated exhibitions throughout all seasons.

the fore street years

growing portland’s arts scene

Always seeking growth, Margolis expanded operations to 367 Fore Street in Portland, ME, broadening the Gallery’s scope to include fine jewelry, glass, and woodwork. During this period, NMG launched solo exhibitions, further establishing its reputation as a leading craft dealer while solidifying its role in Portland’s vibrant arts scene.

251 west 21 street

1992-1999

New York had always been Margolis’s aspiration. In 1992, she made it a reality, operating NMG from her Chelsea brownstone on West 21st Street. There, she continued her commitment to ceramics and textile art, showcasing influential artists like longtime gallery fiber sculptor Ferne Jacobs.

By this time, NMG had expanded internationally, representing artists from the Netherlands, Switzerland, Japan, Belgium, and Germany — solidifying its presence in the global art scene.

560 broadway

1999–2002

To enhance its visibility, NMG moved to SoHo in 1999, then the center of New York’s art world. That same year, Margolis closed the Portland, ME location, shifting her full focus to establishing the Gallery’s presence in New York.

523 west 25 street

2002–2020

As attention to the craft movement began to subside, the spotlight turned to contemporary painting. Always prepared to adapt, Margolis shifted the focus of her Gallery from craft to painting, maintaining several sculptors in her stable of artists.

NMG would remain in this beloved location for nearly two decades, hosting more than 100 exhibitions for emerging and mid-career artists.

launching careers

five decades of support

Margolis was passionate about discovering emerging artists and providing them with the support they needed to succeed. More than just a gallerist, she was a mentor — guiding young artists through the complexities of the art world, from pricing and selling their work to gaining wider exposure and securing placements in major public collections. Over five decades, her unwavering support helped shape and propel countless careers.

art without borders

the online era

In March 2020, forced to close its physical doors at the onset of the pandemic, NMG pivoted to a digital space. Lilian Day Thorpe — associate director from 2017 and director during NMG’s online years — guided the Gallery through its final evolution. Thorpe embraced the possibilities of a non-physical platform, curating nearly 30 online exhibitions, while also organizing in-person pop-up shows in Maine and New York City. The new realm offered flexibility beyond the bounds of previous spaces, making NMG immediately accessible to art-lovers around the world.