26 MAY 2026 By Rachael Bouley ineteen-year-old Mia Lovell was once a flourishing junior skateboarder – and although she hasn’t put the board away just yet, she’s fallen in love with another four-wheeled adventure: auto racing. More specifically, Nascar-style auto racing. Mia said she was drawn to the excitement, risk, and thrill of both. After watching her dad run laps at a track when she was 13, she took a turn behind the wheel and couldn’t resist. Making the switch between sports has introduced her to a whole new world of technical and strategic planning. “That mental challenge is really what makes me tick. I’ve always been driven to put 100 percent of my effort into whatever I’m doing – whether that’s in racing, skateboarding, school, or family – because I always strive to be my best,” Mia said. “The worst feeling is knowing that you’ve left something on the table. I never want to feel like I should’ve trained harder, or studied more races, or just be outright lazy or complacent.” Mia currently competes in the ARCA Menards West Series, a NASCAR-sanctioned event about three tiers down from her ultimate goal, the NASCAR Cup. There are 13 races across the West Coast, including Arizona and California, and her team, Nitro Motorsports, provides transportation, maintenance, setup, and engineering for her car. Skateboarding helped her develop hand-eye coordination from an early age, and now she finds laser precision and mental demand the keys to success when she’s on the track. “You fight your mental limitations and doubts as much, or more, than the physical ones, so keeping a strong mind is critical,” she said. Last year, Mia earned multiple podiums in the Trans Am 2 West Series and is now turning her focus to oval racing. “My biggest goal is to learn and gain as much experience as possible, as I am late getting into the sport relative to most of my competitors who have been racing since they were five years old,” Mia explained. “I only got into the sport when I was 13, and didn’t start pro racing until I was 16. Of course, the goal is always to collect wins and championships, but that only comes as you learn and gain experience.” While Mia sets her sights on racing glory, she’s also juggling her college education. Being proactive about school work and planning absences ahead of time has helped balance these endeavors. Her biggest challenge so far has been finding the correct mindset. “As a competitor, I was so focused on winning that I would put unnecessary pressure on myself and expect myself to obtain wins right away. That’s not how the sport works,” Mia said. “You have to put in your time, refine your craft, and then become a champion. Shifting my focus from results to execution has been the biggest game changer to progression and happiness.” Mia said she is honored to inspire other young competitors and show that seemingly impossible dreams can become real possibilities. “The greatest advice I can give an ambitious athlete is to not be so fixated on the end result. It’s much more productive to focus on the process, execution, and learning, which will equip you to win those championships,” Mia shared. “Plus, you’ll find yourself being more content with the hard days and have better longevity in the sport.” Over the years, Mia’s sporting ambitions have not only earned her spots on the podium but also on the big screen. She had a role in the film The Map of Tiny Perfect Things , as well as two seasons of the Woodward Skateboarding show on YouTube. She’s also been in several commercials, including Nike, Arizona Department of Health, and Arizona Coyotes Hockey. Her parents and siblings are her biggest fans. “When your kids find their passion and enjoy doing something they love, you want to support them in every aspect,” mom Stacy Lovell said. “It is stressful to watch Mia go over 140 miles an hour while cars rub paint with her. I actually cover my eyes and hold my breath sometimes while she is racing.” Despite the dramatic, nerve-racking races, the Lovell family is thrilled Mia has found her true passion. She hopes to eventually race in the NASCAR Cup Series and earn the respect of competitors and fans. mialovell.com Arcadia teen takes her talents to the racetrack Mia became a professional auto racing driver after watching her dad drive laps. Now, she’s competing in a NASCAR-sanctioned series. PHOTO COURTESY OF STACY LOVELL

27 MAY 2026 By Michael P. Murphy It’s a very pleasing atmosphere. A clear, springtime day in Arcadia. The grass is bright green and easy on the feet, soft jazz notes are floating from the strings of an electric guitar, happy people are chatting with artists and appreciating their work. Tinker Bell is painting the faces of children and adults…everywhere you look there is color-color-color! In April, Shemer Art Center held its annual Art in the Garden and Sparkling Tea event, where 20 selected artists displayed and sold their art, which includes oil paintings, glass, mosaics and more. On Saturday, in another part of the property, guests enjoyed a fellowship and tea in a creative environment, making for a nice day in a colorful setting. “All of our events are designed to draw a specific audience,” President and Executive Director Shonna James said. “We created our first spring event because we had so many people walking by that had never been in before.” These events have become so popular that one would think they’ve been around forever. Well, not quite. When Shonna began her tenure as president in 2016, the event was called Fine Art in the Garden. She was told that it began back in the 1970s, and there were already at least two other neighborhood events bearing the name Art in the Garden. Those events eventually faded, and the name became synonymous with Shemer, where supporting Arizona artists is their mission. There is a process to select which artists can display and sell their art. It begins with a call out to see who may want to participate. “We have a juror who comes in and helps us. It’s never just me,” Shonna said. “They will look at the event artists based on different kinds of mediums. This year we initially selected 24 artists, and 20 were able to join us during the weekend.” The Sparkling Tea event was added in 2019. It’s a welcoming social occasion where guests enjoy a sparkling beverage and catering provided by Arcadia Farms. Guests enjoyed presentations by professional painters and live music provided by Rivera Strings, all under a canopy of colorful umbrellas. Best of all was the artistic hat competition, and the theme of this year’s winning hat was “Easter at Shemer.” These events raise funds for summer camps. The artists pay to participate and each one contributes a work of art for a silent auction. Spring is always a busy time, kicking off with the May 20-July 9 exhibit Let’s Play , featuring artwork evoking playfulness and joy. Later events will include an exhibit of Emma Florence paintings and Inside Perspectives , showcasing art by instructors, students and team members. And in November they will host the Arizona Arts Festival. Art in the Garden and Sparkling Tea wonderfully embodies what defines Shemer Art Center, creating and nurturing a community of artists, young and old, and sharing their art in the best of ways. shemerartcenter.org An event rooted in community, creativity and lots of color Now through May 14, two exhibitions include Parallel Ground, featuring 63 works by 16 Arizona-based Japanese artists across diverse media rooted in Eastern aesthetics, and A Legacy of Spirit, Tamara Poff’s 14-painting series exploring women’s resilience, empowerment, and intergenerational strength themes. NOW ON DISPLAY Artists showcased paintings, glasswork and mosaics, and kids even got in on the action with coloring stations and face painting. The Sparkling Tea, held under colorful umbrellas, had a competitive element this year as attendees vied for the title of ‘Best Artistic Hat.’ Art in the Garden and Sparkling Tea wonderfully embodies what defines Shemer Art Center.