As summer winds down and we move into the fall, I find myself reflecting on the past month, specifically, the incredible time we had at last month’s meeting and the recent TAOM convention.
First and foremost, I want to extend a sincere thank-you to Andrew DeRuiter for his outstanding lecture last month. His insights, passion, and generosity made for a truly memorable and educational evening. Events like these remind us of the value of shared learning within our community.
A Smaller TAOM, But a Meaningful One
This year’s Texas Association of Magicians (TAOM) convention was notably smaller than years past. It was “the few, the proud, and the willing,” as someone aptly put it. While attendance may have been down, the spirit of camaraderie and the love for the art of magic were as strong as ever.
The weekend was filled with laughter, late-night sessions, shared meals, and of course—plenty of magic. And sometimes, smaller gatherings make for deeper connections. The intimacy of this year’s convention allowed for more personal interactions and meaningful conversations that might get lost in a larger crowd.
Teaching the Next Generation
One of the highlights of my weekend was being asked by Doc Grimes to teach a special Card College workshop for college students attending the convention. The session took place midday Saturday, and I was thrilled to take part.
I dove into the preparation with enthusiasm, developing structured notes to guide the students through both foundational techniques and performance insights. Doc provided each participant with a trick deck, a regular deck, a close-up mat, and several instructional books to support their learning.
It was one of the most rewarding teaching experiences I’ve had in a long time. Several students approached me afterward to share how much they enjoyed the session and how it reignited—or deepened—their passion for magic. It was a reminder of how impactful even a single workshop can be for someone early in their magical journey.
The Challenge and Opportunity of Mentorship
That experience also underscored something I’ve been thinking about for a while: there are so many individuals out there who love magic but lack access to a supportive community.
Some are isolated by geography, others by circumstance. But they all share a desire to connect with something larger—to learn, to grow, to be inspired. And that’s where we come in.
If you know someone—whether a young person, a curious adult, or even a lapsed magician—who shows interest in the craft, I urge you: reach out. Offer guidance, resources, or simply a welcoming hand. Become a mentor if you’re able, or connect them with someone who can support their growth.
Mentorship doesn’t require mastery. It just requires time, empathy, and a willingness to share what you’ve learned. In doing so, you not only help someone else—you also strengthen your own understanding and connection to the art.
Preserving the Art—and Evolving With It
One of the quiet challenges our community faces is the generational divide in magic. Many conventions and clubs, including our own, are aging. While there’s great wisdom in our senior members, there’s also a risk: if we don’t actively invest in the next generation, much of that knowledge, history, and craft may be lost.
Equally important, we risk becoming disconnected from the evolving landscape of performance. Styles are changing. Technology is reshaping how magic is shared and consumed. Cultural tastes and audience expectations are shifting. The youth not only bring energy and enthusiasm—they bring fresh perspectives that can keep magic vibrant and relevant.
As seasoned performers, we must resist the temptation to hold on too tightly to the way things used to be. Instead, let’s strive to bridge the gap—sharing our experience while remaining open to learning from those newer to the art.
A Call to Action
To those reading this: consider what you can do to foster growth and connection within our magical community. Attend conventions. Bring a guest to a meeting. Offer to mentor someone. Volunteer to teach a class. Reach out to a younger magician and ask how you can support them.
The future of magic doesn’t lie in preserving it in a glass case—it lies in passing it on, evolving it, and keeping it alive through human connection.
Let’s be the kind of community that welcomes, mentors, and inspires.
Because when we do, the art of magic—and all of us within it—can only grow stronger.
