Margaret Arthur was born in Derry, Northern Ireland of Donegal parents. She studied Fine Art in Belfast, did a post-graduate year at Brighton College of Art and completed a teaching degree at the Ulster College of Art and Design.

In 1981, she co-founded Seacourt Print Workshop in Bangor and she is now one of the Trustees. She continues to work as a full-time artist and tutor in printmaking.

Since 1966, Margaret has had several solo exhibitions in Belfast, Dublin, Europe and America. She exhibits regularly at the Royal Hiberian Academy, Dublin and the Royal Ulster Academy