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Note from the Atelier Hi There Reader... Happy Spring. There’s something about this time of year that makes everything feel a little lighter, a little more possible, a little more exciting. One thing that's exciting for me is the change we just made to Artful Traveler to make it easier and more flexible for you to explore along with us. You can now take a peek behind the curtain without embarking on the full journey. You can also explore a single destination (or many destinations) when the mood strikes. Full flexibility for you to journey along at your own pace. Moving forward, I will also be shifting to a new newsletter cadence: smaller bites, shared more frequently. The goal is simple: easier to read, easier to enjoy and easier to stay connected without feeling like you need to carve out a big block of time. I’m still finding my rhythm, so I’d love your input.

When would you like to receive the Artful Insights newsletter? Saturday morning Sunday morning Monday morning

One more thing. I've learned (tho it has taken me far too long!) that you'll never get what you want unless you ask for it. So here I am, asking. If you’re enjoying this, would you share it with someone who might also enjoy it? It’s the simplest way to help this grow, and it means more than you might think. Just forward this email to your friend (And don't worry, I have no visibility into their email - if they're interested, it's up to them to sign up.) And if you received this email from a friend (welcome!) and would like to receive it regularly (free!), you can sign up below. And feel free to forward it to someone else who might enjoy it. Sign up for the FREE Artful Insights newsletter It's just like the old shampoo commercial from back in the day... if you tell two friends, and they tell two friends, and then they tell two friends... I'm grateful for everyone's support! Cheers,

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Artful Traveler, Reimagined

Explore on Your Own Terms

Over the past couple of months, I’ve made a shift in how Artful Traveler is delivered, with one goal in mind: to make this easier, more flexible and more enjoyable for you. You can now explore destinations based on what draws you in, whether that’s a place you’ve been, somewhere on your list or simply a moment of inspiration. Follow one destination or many, revisit your favorites and move at your own pace.

You can follow along for free and still be part of the journey, seeing new destinations, updates and what’s happening inside the Atelier. If you’d like to go deeper, you can step inside as an Atelier Insider for $3 per month (for a limited time only). That gives you full access to all Académie lessons, along with downloads, tips, techniques and behind the scenes content. Whether you’re exploring one destination at a time or moving through them as a true globe trotter, it’s all designed to give you more access, more freedom and a more relaxed way to stay connected to your creativity.

Explore the new Artful Traveler by clicking the button below:

Explore now

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Your Time is the Most Valuable Thing You Can Give

April is National Volunteer Month, which got me thinking about how we choose to spend our time. Not just how we fill it, but where we intentionally give it. Time is the one thing we can’t get back, which is exactly what makes it so meaningful when we offer it to something we actually care about.

I’m starting that process myself this year with the Grand Rapids Art Museum. My volunteer training started last week and my docent training begins in August, and I’m genuinely looking forward to being in that environment in a different way. Not just visiting, but learning more deeply and sharing that experience with others. It feels like a natural extension of something I already love.

It’s easy to assume volunteering has to be a big commitment or tied to a cause that feels heavy. But it can also be as simple as stepping closer to something that already interests you. Art, travel, history, community, research, even politics. Whatever that thing is for you. If you’re going to give your time, it might as well be toward something that gives something back.

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Don't Miss Art Exhibitions in April

Marcel Duchamp Museum of Modern Art, NYC Marcel Duchamp is a landmark retrospective, the first of its kind in North America in more than 50 years, and brings together nearly 300 works that span six decades of the artist’s provocative and genre-defying career. The exhibition traces Duchamp’s evolution across painting, sculpture, film and his revolutionary “readymades,” inviting visitors to reconsider one of art’s most enduring questions: what is art? Runs April 12 thru August 22, 2026.

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Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit (MOCAD) Re-opening The re-opening of MOCAD marks a major milestone as it celebrates its 20th anniversary following a months-long closure for renovations. The spring season highlights Detroit’s rich cultural legacy through exhibitions focused on Black creative histories and textile traditions, reinforcing MOCAD’s role as a dynamic, community-centered hub for contemporary art. Re-opens April 26, 2026

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Derrick Adams: View Master Institute of Contemporary Art, Boston Derrick Adams: View Master celebrates the joy, complexity and everyday experiences of Black life through bold color and layered imagery. Drawing inspiration from the nostalgic View-Master toy, Derrick Adams creates vibrant works that invite viewers to look closely at scenes of leisure, identity and community. The exhibition offers a dynamic, uplifting perspective while also prompting reflection on how we see ourselves and others. Runs April 16 through September 7, 2026

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New Humans: Memories of the Future New Museum, New York City Newly opened, the New Museum on the Bowery reemerges after a multi-year closure. Its ambitious inaugural exhibition, New Humans: Memories of the Future, brings together an international group of artists exploring how technology and culture are reshaping what it means to be human. Spanning immersive installations, digital media and speculative works, the exhibition invites viewers to consider a near future where boundaries between physical and virtual life continue to blur, raising timely questions about agency, connection and the evolving human experience. Ongoing exhibition.

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Robert Therrien: Ordinary Objects, Extraordinary Scale

There’s something endlessly fascinating about seeing the familiar made unfamiliar. Robert Therrien built an entire body of work around that idea, transforming everyday objects into monumental sculptures that shift our sense of scale and perspective. His exhibition, Robert Therrien: This is a Story, at The Broad, closes on April 5, and while I missed it, the premise alone feels right up my alley. Chairs that tower over you, tables that feel architectural, objects that quietly ask you to reconsider your place in the room.

Robert Therrien/Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York. Photo: Monica Almeida/The New York Times

Robert Therrien/Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York. Photo: Monica Almeida/The New York Times

By Ardfern - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=19157423

I’ve always had a thing for oversized objects. In high school, I created a 10 foot soft sculpture of a bunch of carrots, complete with a twist tie. They were on exhibit at the Muskegon Museum of Art and even traveled throughout Michigan as part of Artrain. That fascination never really left me. Today, it shows up in quieter but still very present ways: an oversized place setting of silverware hanging on my dining room wall, a six foot number 2 pencil in my studio, an eight foot paintbrush leaning nearby.

Maybe that’s why Therrien’s work resonates so much. It’s not just about scale for the sake of spectacle. It’s about how scale changes experience. When something ordinary becomes enormous, you don’t just see it differently, you feel differently around it. It slows you down, makes you look again and reminds you that even the most everyday objects can hold a kind of quiet wonder when you shift your perspective.

(While I would love to share a photo of my carrots with you, I inadvertently left them in the attic of my first home when I moved out over 25 years ago. And of course, no one thought to take a picture of them in 1979.)

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I’m introducing a new component in the newsletter called Atelier Reads. I'm a big reader, so it's only natural for me to have a space to share books that have caught my attention and stayed with me. Most will likely have a tie to art or travel in some way, but I can’t promise I won’t occasionally include a book that’s simply too good not to share. Think of it as a curated shelf of meaningful reads that pair well with a cup of coffee and a little creative time. The first official book is My Friends by Fredrik Backman. At its core, it’s a story about connection, belonging and the quiet ways people shape each other’s lives. It weaves together friendship, memory and art in a way that feels both familiar and deeply human.

I loved this book not only for its art references, but for its message. Family isn’t always blood. Family is who you choose. It’s a reminder that the people we surround ourselves with, the ones who see us and stay, often become the most important part of our story.

If you have been around for awhile, you may remember I included book reviews/recommendations in the December Artful Insights for the following books:

• The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt
• All the Beauty in the World by Patrick Bringley
• The Art Thief by Michael Finkel
• Painting with a Fresh Eye by Alfred C. Chadbourn

Take me to the December Book Reviews

If you have some good book recommendations, I'd love for you to reply to this email and let me know!

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April's Best Destinations

Amsterdam, Netherlands Spring in Bloom April is one of the most magical times to visit Amsterdam, when the city awakens with longer days, mild temperatures and vibrant bursts of color. Tulips and other spring flowers are in full bloom, nearby gardens like Keukenhof are at their peak and the canals feel especially lively as locals and visitors spill outdoors, offering an authentic Dutch charm.

Washington, DC Cherry Blossom Season April is one of the most iconic times to visit Washington, D.C., when the city is transformed by soft pink and white blooms. Mild spring weather makes it ideal for walking the National Mall, exploring monuments and spending time along the Tidal Basin at peak bloom. DC in April provides a perfect blend of natural beauty, history and seasonal celebration.

Atlanta, Georgia Dogwoods, Azaleas, Southern Charm April is a beautiful time to visit Atlanta, when the city comes alive with blooming dogwoods, azaleas and lush greenery. Comfortable temperatures make it ideal for strolling through parks like Piedmont Park, the Botanical Garden or exploring outdoor attractions and neighborhoods. With a full calendar of festivals, outdoor dining in full swing and a vibrant arts and music scene, April offers a relaxed yet energetic way to experience Atlanta at its best.

Rome, Italy Ancient Streets, Spring Light April is one of the most enchanting times to visit Rome, when warm sunshine and blooming gardens bring new life to the city’s ancient landmarks. Comfortable temperatures make it ideal for wandering through historic sites like the Colosseum and Roman Forum, lingering in piazzas and enjoying long, relaxed meals outdoors. With fewer crowds than peak summer and a vibrant, lived-in energy, April offers a perfect balance of history, beauty and everyday Roman life.

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The Artful Traveler journey continues with new destinations, lessons and creative explorations. You can follow along for free, join as an Atelier Insider, or join for full access to everything inside the Atelier.

Explore here