Mary Anne Gunter dives passionately into everything she does. The former psychiatric nurse, now pursuing a doctorate in psychology, is intent on exposing children and adults to a wide range of cultural endeavors, from conducting etiquette classes to sharing art and literature through volunteering for Little Rock’s Arkansas Literary Festival and the Ozark Film Festival.

Mary Anne’s passion for antique lace runs just as deep. She acquired her first piece of lace, a doily, at the tender age of 10. At 19, she saved up enough babysitting money to purchase her first antique dresser, where she still displays her collection more than 30 years later. And for her daughter Vanessa’s wedding, she hand-sewed a handkerchief—sewing is another passion—using remnants of lace from her first doily, her own wedding gown and that of her great grandmother. “It was Vanessa’s ‘something old,’” she says. “I made a satin ivory bow, with a loop holding her baby ring, and sewed on pearls from an antique necklace.”

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