Born in Columbus, Georgia, Mary Fluornoy Passailaigue is an internationally recognized artist. She was born and raised in Columbus, Georgia, at Tranquilla. Though residing in Columbus for the duration of her life, her paintings represent her travels, capturing scenes in almost every part of the world. An accomplished still life and landscape painter, Passailaigue was an active member of the Columbus arts community and played an instrumental role in the establishment of the Columbus Museum. Among her many achievements, she was one of the first women to be inducted into the prestigious Salmagundi Club in New York City. "Painting to me is pure happiness - trying to catch and express the joy and ever changing beauty the world offers. It is an exciting and utterly consuming pursuit."