Maggie Argiro, Renaissance Woman
The broad 15th century Italian concept of a Renaissance Man is one who “can do all things if he will” and who is “limitless when it comes to capacity for development and obliged to further these talents and gifts as fully as possible.” Maggie Argiro is definitely a 21st century Renaissance woman.
Maggie earned her undergraduate degree at Western Washington University in Bellingham, WA and her M.A. at MIU. She was hired after completing her M.A to work for Vital Images alongside her (future) husband, Vincent Argiro, as director of marketing communications. In May 2005, the Argiros started traveling to Western Canada regularly. They bought property in the Gulf Islands and built their stunning home in August 2008. Vincent and Maggie became Canadian citizens in 2015.
I recently spoke with Maggie at her home on Salt Spring Island. We quickly shared our mutual appreciation of Western Canada, where Maggie and Vincent continue their community involvement and generosity ‘up north’. Maggie is active in organizations and projects supporting the island’s clean/green energy development and self-sufficiency. “It’s the right thing to do, to move this technology along,” she explains. Salt Spring Island, population 10,000, currently boasts sixty electric vehicles and several charge stations. The couple navigate British Columbia in zero-emission Teslas. Maggie drives ”Pearl,” a P85 Dual Motor Model S with autopilot.
When we get to the topic of Maggie’s art/photographic work, she shares her development as an artist with me. “I like to work with my hands,” she says, “I‘ve been drawing since I was small.” Her development as an adult artist was delayed a bit as she followed advice to choose a more practical track for her college education (the B.A. in nutrition and M.A. in professional writing). When Maggie’s position at Vital Images ended, she started her own PR company, but retired from that 4 years later when the Argiros moved to Minneapolis, MN. “I found myself with the luxury of time and no need to be practical,” she says, “so I signed up for Art 101 at the University of Minnesota.” As a first year art student, Maggie also felt drawn to a fifth year life drawing class. She was allowed to join on a trial basis. She quickly displayed her skill and ‘aced’ the course.
On Salt Spring, Maggie is a member of the Salt Spring Island Painter’s Guild. “I love paper and pastels,” she says. “It’s a fragile medium; you have to take care of it. It’s not going to be around forever. Also, you can’t easily change pastel. With acrylic, you can just paint over it, but that can leave a texture. Pastel is much more exacting.” She continues, “I need time in my studio, bumping around. It takes time for me to begin to create. I can’t just turn it on and turn off on a schedule. I create for myself, not for anyone else. It has to come from that place inside that bubbles up. It’s not about me.”
Maggie’s 3-D design and artistic aspirations were fulfilled while building and decorating the Argiro’s green Vastu home using local materials and craftsmen. She’s also an emerging photographer. As a member of the SaltSpring Photo Club, Maggie is “learning as I go along,” with the feedback and informal mentoring provided by the club’s monthly photo reviews. Travel is a big part of the Argiros’ life, and Maggie is enjoying her role as photojournalist of these trips. “I’ve discovered that the better pastel artist I’ve become,” she says, “the better photographer I’ve become and vice versa. As a photographer, I experience it, and after the image is tweaked and printed, I like to put it out there and if it resonates, great. If not . . . that’s okay, too.”
You can find out more about what Maggie is exploring and sharing with our neighbors up north at her online photo gallery.
Mo Ellis is inspired by art, issues, and progressive ideas. Mo Ellis’ online and print contributions as a writer, editor, website & mobile app project manager, PR and online media director have appeared at: "O" magazine, The Huffington Post, The New York Times, The Des Moines Register, Surface Design Journal, The Iowa Source, KRUU-FM, Iowa Public Radio, Dr. Mercola and Dr. Oz.