Linda Mullen - Grace & Diggs

Until her father’s second marriage brought step sisters, Linda Mullen was an only child who spent every weekend, year-round, at the family cottage (just outside her hometown of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada).  As such, she had to entertain herself and took up all sorts of arts and crafts at an early age. 

Linda’s formal art studies began as prerequisite classes for entry into San Diego’s Newschool of Architecture & Design.  She graduated in 2004 with a Master’s Degree in Architecture and, along with partner Ted Dingley, founded a business providing design, drafting, and artistic services for urban design charrettes and placemaking workshops.  During this time she taught design and sketching at her alma mater until moving to Massachusetts in 2009.

Following 15 years in architecture, Linda launched Grace & Diggs in 2016.  This departure from architecture was a way of exploring art that could be made from recycled materials, and also a way to participate in Salem’s love of costumes and dressing up.  

Grace & Diggs began as a shop on Salem’s Artist’ Row where Linda sold hats made out of paper bags and provided photo backdrops made out of recycled materials. She credits that experience for helping her set down roots in Salem, grow as an artist, and expand her work into the area of public art. She is involved in multiple committees and advisory groups including Salem Main Streets Steering Committee and Culture House Advisory Board.

Grace & Diggs has since moved to Mills 58 in Peabody, and continues to evolve in scope and practice.  Linda is currently leading the Salem Arts Festival Community Art Project, entitled, “Lifelines,” and is working diligently at getting her new studio space ready to open to the public and to host workshops.

Linda has loved Salem and it has been good to her.  Along with meeting great colleagues, friends, and neighbors, Linda met her husband, Rod, here.  They don’t have kids or pets but have managed to keep a houseplant alive for a year now.  You can usually find them out and about, making their rounds of favorite eating and watering holes around Salem.