Happy Summer!
Welcome to this month’s issue of Smartermarx Magazine. Learning is one of the few pursuits that never has a finish line. No matter where we are in life, there is always another skill to develop, another perspective to consider, or another experience waiting to teach us something new. ÀNI Art Academies describes Lifelong Learning as “inspiring a love of learning and a commitment to personal and intellectual growth throughout one’s life,” and this month’s issue celebrates that idea from several different angles.
As someone who began at ÀNI Art Academies later in life, I was especially eager to read Anthony’s Too Late to Learn? His article offers an encouraging reminder that growth is always possible, albeit in an evolving way, for those willing to keep learning.
That same spirit carries through the rest of this issue. Anya, as an avid traveler and creative, shares a wonderful perspective on travel in Best Souvenirs. Her outlook offers a wise approach to lifelong learning through meaningful experiences. We are also delighted to welcome guest author Debra Keirce, an award-winning artist, longtime participant in Anthony’s annual Diagnostic Painter workshop, and a friend of the Smartermarx community. Her insights are funny, thoughtful, and inspiring. Mitchell Bagnas shares his experiences returning from teaching at ÀNI Art Academies in the Dominican Republic in Three Weeks, reflecting on the lessons learned from sharing art, meeting new people, and experiencing another culture firsthand.
Whether we learn in a studio, while traveling, through a good book, or simply by trying something new, every experience has the potential to change us. We hope this issue encourages you to stay curious, keep asking questions, and remember that it is never too late to learn something that enriches your life. As always, thank you for reading, and thank you for being part of the Smartermarx community.
With excitement and gratitude,
Ava Ash-Waichulis
Editor, Smartermarx Magazine
