The Marian Nixon Scholarship Fund

Marian Nixon believed in artists. She believed in the quiet ones in the corner, the ones who almost didn't come, the ones who needed someone to pull up a chair and say you belong here. She was that person — at trade shows, in our Advice for Artists community, and here at The Smiley Manse, where she became part of our family.

Marian mailed boxes of art supplies to share with fellow artists she'd never met, because that's who she was. She was glue. She drew people out, made them feel seen, and left every room warmer than she found it.

Marian passed away on May 8, 2026, and her community is coming together to honor her the way she would have wanted — by making space for more artists to experience what she loved so much about The Smiley.

The Marian Nixon Scholarship Fund supports artists who dream of attending a retreat but need a little help getting here. It is a living tribute to a woman whose easy smile and generous heart touched everyone lucky enough to know her.

Make a Donation in Marian's Memory

is a for-profit organization. While 100% of these contributions will be used exclusively for the Marian Nixon Scholarship Fund to support student tuition and educational expenses, they are classified as personal gifts.

Important Note: These contributions are not tax-deductible for federal or state income tax purposes. We encourage all contributors to consult with their tax advisors regarding their specific situation. To ensure accountability, these funds are tracked in a restricted account separate from our general business operations.

Online:PayPal

By mail: Send a check made out to The Smiley Manse with Marian Nixon Scholarship in the memo line to:

The Smiley Manse
PO BOX 13
Springfield, Vermont
05156

Apply for a Scholarship

Apply for a Scholarship If you've dreamed of attending a retreat at The Smiley but need financial support to make it happen, we'd love to hear from you. All inquiries are handled with care and complete privacy.