Mary Dunnigan, a recreational artist, and former NBT Bank employee, began her career at NBT Bank of Sidney in 1984 as a customer service representative. She retired as a branch manager in 2014 and passed away in 2022. Her artwork is now on public display at the bank's main headquaters. (Submitted photo)

NORWICH – NBT Bank’s Wall of Art is honored to feature the work of the late Mary Dunnigan.

A recreational artist, Dunnigan was also a valued NBT Bank employee. She began her career at NBT Bank of Sidney in 1984 as a customer service representative. During her career, she advanced to the positions of assistant branch manager and then branch manager. She retired from NBT in 2014 and passed away last year.

Retail Market Manager Brian Burton had the pleasure of working with Mary at NBT. “I had no idea what a talented artist Mary was,” he said. “It’s very meaningful and special to feature Mary’s work on our Wall of Art. When I first saw the display, just like Mary, her paintings brought a smile to my face.”

As in her artwork, Mary’s energy and creativity came through in her banking career, too. Some of her career highlights include a successful baseball-themed product promotion that helped expand the bank’s customer base. She also played a key role on the integration team for multiple bank mergers that grew NBT’s footprint from Plattsburgh to Pennsylvania. When Mary wasn’t working or creating her own artwork, she was mentoring local artists of all ages at the Artist’s Palette and serving on the organization’s board.

Mary’s son, Richie Dunnigan, set up his mother’s artwork installation and shared just how special her creativity was. “Growing up, I was always in awe of how my mom could magically transform an empty canvas into a space or landscape that seemingly transported you there,” he said. “Her artistry evokes emotion and inspiration, which is what art is supposed to do. Every stroke, every detail, every piece, has meaning and hers was a natural talent.”

Mary’s featured artwork, which will be on display through the end of February, includes a selection of acrylic oil and gel paintings. NBT’s Wall of Art is made possible through the bank’s partnership with the Chenango Arts Council.

“We are so proud to help display Mary's work,” said Chenango Arts Council Executive Director Alecia O’Neill. “She was such an important part of the community and such a talent.”

The mission of the Chenango Arts Council is to connect the arts to our communities to enrich quality of life. Art is one of the most powerful and useful tools for communicating, expressing, as well as connecting other people to one another or to a central message that seeks to be expressed. Chenango Arts Council strives to help those who seek venues to perform, spaces to exhibit, room to create, and people to share the passion of the Fine Arts.

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NBT Bank offers personal banking, business banking and wealth management services from locations in seven states, including New York, Pennsylvania, Vermont, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Maine and Connecticut. The bank and its parent company, NBT Bancorp., are headquartered in Norwich, NY. NBT Bancorp had assets of $11.64 billion as of September 30, 2022, and is traded on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol NBTB. More information about NBT is available online at www.nbtbank.com. Member FDIC.

– Information from NBT