“I do define attractive differently now. I think of attractive not in the conventional sense of beauty of body or face but more in the sense of enthusiasm for life in whatever form it takes.”
Maggie is a connector. In everything she does, she strives to bring people together from all walks of life and points of view. Enamored with the complex concept of color and the role it plays in every aspect of life, Maggie does not view matters in black and white, but tries to see all angles of an issue or topic. Coming from a strong matriarchal line of firstborns, Maggie is the firstborn of three sisters and four brothers. With this inner sense of duty and leadership, Maggie enrolled in ROTC in her freshman year while attending Drexel University for a BS in Interior Design. This was the first year ROTC was open to women and the opportunity to serve changed the trajectory of her life. She met her husband, entered the army, and served for seven years before being accepted into a graduate program for architecture at Syracuse University. Maggie ended her military service as a captain in the Medical Service Corps, assigned to the Army Surgeon General’s office at the Pentagon. Maggie credits her parents and her Army experience for her inclusive and non-judgmental perspective on life.
Curiosity about Color has been the driving force at every stage in Maggie’s life. From working with color, to exploring color in all media, to teaching color to artists and designers worldwide, to indulging in many books on color, color is a constant presence in her life. Now retired, Maggie is busier than ever with her greatest challenge – The Colour Literacy Project. Maggie is leading an international team in a long-term effort to transform how color is taught in the world. Starting with foundational concepts in art and science, the project aims to inspire a sense of wonder about the beauty and power of the colors around us.
Maggie also treasures her extended family and close friends as a constant source of comfort and deeply felt joy. A piece of advice to her 20-something self is to have learned to play bridge sooner, so she could have played the game her parents loved during cherished visits with them over the years.
Maggie can be found online at maggiemaggio.com
You can learn more about the Colour Literacy Project at https://colourliteracy.org/
