Marylou Lazos had always valued connection: The connections between the past and the present, the art and the observer, and the person to their loved ones. 

Lazos specializes in figure drawing and assemblage. Both offer different levels of connection for Lazos, whether it be the relationship between her and her model or the history housed in the objects she arranges. Lazo has spent the past 30 years working in museums, and physical historical pieces have always been her favorite for this reason. 

“You still find resonances (of the past) in the actual pieces,” she explained. “And as an artist, it’s all about connection. With art, it touches a different part of you.”

Lazos was always the artist of the family growing up but it wasn’t until college that she received recognition for her skills. During her brief attendance at University of Notre Dame, Lazo met Professor Jean Nelson, who encouraged her to pursue an art career in Boston. 

“I credit her with helping me carry on because I didn’t have encouragement any other way,” said Lazos. “Your parents don't want you to be an artist when you grow up.”

Lazo moved to Boston to attend Massachusetts College of Art and later University of New Hampshire. Her academic career had shifted to focus on art conservation and history. Lazos eventually obtained a master’s degree in art history at SUNY Binghamton.

The Manchester, New Hampshire native spent many years working at Manchester Historical Association. Its Millyard Museum holds special significance for Lazos. During the early 20th century, both sides of her family immigrated from Lebanon to work in the mills and Lazos was able to track her relatives through the mill’s old employment archives. 

“It’s like Ellis Island.”

At the museum, Lazos also collected some leftover circuit boards that have become mainstays of her assemblages. Using the circuit boards as a backdrop, Lazos will build off the piece by adding wires, beads, or other collected items. She’s also included Lebanese jewelry pieces she no longer wears. Despite this, Lazos explained that her Lebanese heritage is not a major focus of her work. 

“I haven’t figured out a way to put (Lebanese culture) in my art, except that it's a reflection of me. I think that ties it to the culture.”

An unexpected result for Lazos is that her focus on circuit boards has made her work very popular with people in the tech industry. Recently, she was approached by a woman who bought a piece for her computer-savvy husband. 

“I get thrilled when someone wants to buy my art because I've made a connection on the back end,” said Lazos. She further explained it's exciting to know her work is being gifted to someone who will be thrilled to receive it. 

In addition to prioritizing sustainability through reusing items, Lazos also tries to create art that is long-lasting. She’s seen what time does to art during her museum days and hopes to reduce wear as much as possible. This includes attaching her assemblage pieces with hardware instead of glue or using higher-quality paper that is less prone to fading.

Lazos plans to keep focusing on her art now that she is retired. She and husband Harry currently split their time between Manchester and their home on Ocean Point. Lazos recently joined Boothbay Region Art Foundation, and her work is now on display.