Mary Schuytema was born in Monmouth, Illinois. She works predominantly in the medium of clay but also uses metal, fibers, and paint in her work. Schuytema completed an MFA with distinction at Miami University of Ohio in 1990, and has had solo shows in Cincinnati, Ohio, Galesburg, Illinois, and was a participant in Six Women, Six Words and Media Mix at the Buchanan Center for the Arts.
Schuytema has owned and operated Chickenscratch Pottery since 1993, taught Art History at Hill Correctional Center, was an Education Developer for a large art supply company, and was an arts educator.