From PowerShot to Power Moves: Mara Magyarosi-Laytner and the Reimagination of Detroit’s Creative Pulse
Detroit’s creative scene has never been short on talent—but few embody its pulse like Mara Magyarosi-Laytner. Artist, educator, curator, and cultural strategist, Mara doesn’t just create art—she builds ecosystems where others can thrive, too. Her journey—from suburban Michigan to museum exhibitions and international collaborations—proves that art is less about perfection and more about persistence. Whether she’s crafting immersive works on anxiety or curating Detroit’s most forward-thinking photo and film festival, Nova 24, Mara’s impact is felt across generations. In this exclusive Plann Magazine interview, she opens up about healing through storytelling, honoring her roots, and why Detroit doesn’t need validation—it needs vision.
April 17th . Written by Ryan Packer | Editor and Chief for Plann MagazineFrom Westland to the Darkroom: An Artist Is Born
Mara’s creative origin story isn’t one of instant clarity—it’s one of discovery, resistance, and quiet rebellion. Growing up in Westland, Michigan, she was surrounded by creativity long before she recognized it as her calling. Her father, a designer for automotive and aerospace companies, and her mother, a self-taught interior stylist, unknowingly laid the groundwork for Mara’s visual language. But it wasn’t until a friend asked her to model for a photography class that something clicked. With help from her dad, she bought a Canon PowerShot and started photographing everything—from leaves and gravel to her younger brother.
“Nothing of worth,” she laughs now, but it was the start of something real. Despite getting C’s and D’s in her first photography class, Mara refused to give up. “I was pissed,” she admits. “So I went back. Again and again.” That hunger to improve fueled her creative life. From Oakland Community College to Wayne State, and eventually the College for Creative Studies, she double-majored in Photography and Art Education—learning that while talent opens doors, persistence keeps them open.
This Is Not a Side Hustle — It’s a Life
There’s no such thing as a “side project” in Mara Magyarosi-Laytner’s world. Whether she’s developing lesson plans or hanging prints for a gallery, she’s all in. Being an artist, educator, and curator isn’t about juggling roles—it’s about honoring each one as a different way to channel purpose. “Without being an artist first, the rest feels hollow,” she tells Plann Magazine.
Her presence in Detroit’s art ecosystem feels both intentional and inevitable. She doesn’t just take up space—she builds it. From snapping gravel on a Canon PowerShot to shaping one of Detroit’s most dynamic creative festivals, Mara’s evolution is proof that legacy begins wherever you decide to start.
Artist First, Educator Forever
Mara doesn’t teach to maintain a paycheck—she teaches because art transformed her life, and she knows it can do the same for others. Reflecting on students like Ray and Mecca, it’s clear her classroom isn’t just where skills are sharpened—it’s where identities are shaped.
“I try not to teach from above,” she says. “I teach beside them.” It’s that humility that forges deep connections. Her alumni don’t disappear after graduation—they collaborate, reconnect, and evolve. For many, Mara isn’t just a former teacher—she’s a lifelong creative partner who believes your success is her legacy.
Curating Before the Title
Long before Mara claimed the label “curator,” she was already doing the work. “Educators are curators every day,” she laughs. “We just don’t get the credit.” From student showcases to formal exhibitions, her eye for cohesion has always stood out.
But it’s more than taste—it’s vision. Her curatorial style isn’t about simply selecting works, it’s about creating dialogue. When she updated her business card to include the title “curator,” opportunities came knocking. Detroit already knew her eye shaped culture—now, the world is catching on. And Mara’s just getting started.
The Vulnerability Blueprint
Mara doesn’t make art for applause—she makes it to make sense of things. After being diagnosed with anxiety disorder, she couldn’t create for a year. Her return was raw and intentional: a body of work exploring the anatomy of a panic attack through immersive photography and sensory manipulation.
Projects like “The Transition” and “The Subtle Body of Living Things” are layered with film, projection, and distortion. “I want peace,” she says, “but sometimes, even joy becomes something to fear.” Her work doesn’t hide the struggle—it transforms it into something sacred. These aren’t just exhibitions; they’re brave blueprints for healing, mental health awareness, and lived experience turned into visual poetry.
Not Just Detroit — A Detroit Built Different
Nova 24 didn’t happen by accident. It happened because Mara and co-founder Raymar were tired of Detroit’s creatives being excluded from the global photo and film conversation. So, they built something that made it impossible to ignore them.
Now in its second year, Nova 24 is growing louder—outdoor galleries, billboards, panels, and portfolio reviews are all in motion. The mission is simple: amplify Detroit’s talent, invite global voices, and make it known—you don’t need to leave the city to make it big. Detroit’s creativity doesn’t need discovery. It needs investment.
The Artist's Guide to Not Playing Small
Mara doesn’t hand out tired advice. She gives strategy. Study your idols’ careers. Read their CVs. Find out where they showed early on—and then apply. “If you paid for that degree, make it count,” she says. “You don’t need a gatekeeper when you’ve already got keys.”
Her Instagram is filled with call-for-entry posts—not because she’s chasing clout, but because she wants others to win. “If you beat me to the show, you earned it. That’s not competition—that’s community.”
Mara isn’t just making space—she’s building blueprints. And with her torch lit, there’s no excuse not to follow the path she’s carving.
In a city known for reinvention, Mara Magyarosi-Laytner is setting the tone for a new kind of legacy—one that’s vulnerable, collaborative, and unapologetically local. From her earliest snapshots in Westland to her visionary work across galleries, classrooms, and festivals, she’s never wavered in her belief that art is both a mirror and a megaphone. With Nova 24 expanding, former students thriving, and new projects always in motion, one thing is clear: Mara isn’t just shaping Detroit’s creative future—she’s making sure it includes everyone.
Thank you, Mara, for the opportunity to share your journey with Plann Magazine—and for reminding us that real power comes from lifting others as you rise.