Marcie Shrewsbury Lopez ’69: A Legacy of Art, Resilience, and Giving Back

Marcie Shrewsbury Lopez, a proud member of The Gill School Class of 1969, has built a remarkable life shaped by artistic excellence, intellectual depth, and profound personal resilience. Today, as an accomplished painter, educator, and author, she continues to honor her roots while creating work that inspires and gives back to the Gill St. Bernard’s School community that helped launch her journey.

Marcie’s path reflects a rare blend of visual and literary artistry. She earned her MFA in Painting from the New York Academy of Art which was founded by Andy Warhol and a degree in English from New York University, grounding her work in both technical mastery and narrative richness. She further refined her voice through study with renowned artists, including Reeve Schley, whose family is connected to the historic Far Hills Race, and the celebrated painter Wolf Kahn. These influences are evident in her ability to merge classical training with expressive, deeply personal themes.

Her career spans both creation and education. Marcie’s work has been featured in a one-woman show, three museum group exhibitions, and numerous galleries. She has also inspired generations of students as a professor of ancient art history and drawing at Brookdale Community College and Essex County College, sharing not only artistic technique but a lifelong passion for creative expression.

At the heart of Marcie’s story is a powerful narrative of love and renewal. Her 20-year marriage to Adrian B. Lopez, a publisher who was 46 years her senior, was a bond defined by unconditional love, mutual respect, and deep companionship. After his passing, Marcie faced profound grief but found healing through art. Painting became her way forward, transforming loss into purpose and allowing her to reengage with beauty and meaning.

She chronicles this journey in her memoir, A Place of Promise, offering a message of hope and resilience to anyone navigating loss. Today, living near the Jersey Shore, Marcie continues to find inspiration in nature, the rhythm of the ocean, and her enduring love of horses.

After Degas Racehorses: Art with Impact

A striking example of Marcie’s work and her connection to both artistic tradition and personal passion is her pastel, After Degas Racehorses. Priced at $5,000, the piece pays homage to Degas’ iconic equestrian studies while capturing the grace, movement, and vitality of horses through Marcie’s distinctive lens. It also reflects a meaningful link to the Far Hills equestrian heritage tied to her early artistic training.

More than a work of art, however, this pastel work represents an extraordinary act of generosity and legacy. Marcie is donating a percentage of the sale of her piece to Gill St. Bernard’s School in honor of her time at The Gill School and the teachers who first nurtured her creative spirit. This gift will directly support the Fine Arts program, helping ensure that future students have access to the same transformative experiences that shaped her life.

Through After Degas Racehorses, Marcie offers collectors not only a beautiful and significant work, but also the opportunity to be part of something larger, supporting arts education and sustaining a legacy of creativity at GSB.

Marcie Shrewsbury Lopez ’69 embodies the very best of the GSB spirit: artistry, resilience, and a deep commitment to giving back. Her life’s work stands as a testament to the enduring power of creativity and to the profound impact one artist can have on generations to come.

Three of Marcie's works of art are featured in the Alumni Art Exhibition and will remain on display in the Performing Arts and Community Center through mid-August. If you are interested in purchasing After Degas Racehorses or any of Marcie's work, please contact the Alumni Office: alumni@gsbschool.org. Prices for each piece are negotiable.