A native Nevadan, Louise Curran was born in Mina, a small mining community southeast of Hawthorne. Her husband, Jack, a civil engineer and surveyor, was born in Virginia City. His employment with the State Highway Department resulted in their living in most towns, small and large, throughout Nevada.
Curran managed the Gold Hill Gallery in the old Bank of California building. That was followed by 16 years as Director of St. Mary's Art Gallery on the lower floor of St. Mary's in the Mountains Catholic Church in Virginia City. She was also curator of St. Paul's Art Gallery in the spacious Parish Hall of St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Virginia City.
Her most significant success, however, was the establishment of St. Mary's Art Center in the St. Mary Louise Hospital, founded in Virginia City's halcyon day by John Mackey, one of the "bonanza kings," and named for his wife.
Curran spent winters corresponding with instructors to set up varied programs for the summer seasons. She was director of the board of St. Mary's Art Center for over 20 years. In all that time, hers was a true labor of love...she never requested or received a salary.