Habitat Stories: An Artist Cottage in the Woods

An Artist Cottage in the Woods – with New Access through Habitat Repair

By Lisa Collins, Director of Development and Communications

 11/27/2024

You can find Stacy Dockery in the hills of Vincent, tucked away in a magical little cottage in the woods.  That’s where she spends her days painting, and she’d love to share those paintings with you.

Stacy is originally from Long Island, NY, where she first began oil painting. Following in the footsteps of her maternal grandfather, who was also an oil painter, she eventually studied at the Art Institute of Pittsburgh. There she met her husband, and they returned to his hometown of Vincent. They built their cottage in the woods themselves, where you are invited to see her art.

In 2013, Stacy was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, which affected her right-side functionality. Despite that, she continued to paint – she just switched hands. All artwork created in 2013 or after are created completely left-handed. Stacy proves to herself and others on a daily basis that her disability does not stop her creativity.

Because of her physical challenges, Stacy applied to Habitat for Humanity MOV Minor Repair Program to help with a ramp into her home. Of course, Ed, Jerry and the volunteer team showed up, immediately loved Stacy, and created a beautiful porch for the ramp to her cottage. 

This weekend, on the Friday and Saturday after Thanksgiving, Stacy will showcase her paintings on the porch. It will be a little chilly, so bundle up – and if you can’t make it, you can check out her work online, at www.sdockeryfineart.com.  (That’s also where you can find details on her show this weekend.) She will be exhibiting at the Barlow Library throughout the month of February, so you’ll have another chance to enjoy her paintings.

Happy Thanksgiving from Stacy, and the construction crew at Habitat – we’re thankful to become part of the lives of folks like her!