Editor's Letter March 2009
When I first arrived in New Orleans in 2005, eight months before Hurricane Katrina, I was a lost soul looking for a community to call home. I fell in love with New Orleans, its people, architecture, jazz and food. I drove a taxi to support myself and created art on my off time. I was broke and friendless, but I never gave up on my dreams. I ate ramen noodles everyday, wore the same striped shirt and created some of my most provocative work to date.
I moved into a storefront camelback space on Magazine Street in the Spring of 2005. I wanted to create an environment where artists could hang their work without the pressure of selling out, and start an open dialogue in hopes of nurturing the evolution of their process and aesthetic. I named the space Sanders Smith & Stokes Gallery, and for $875 a month I opened my first studio gallery. Over the next five years I opened four galleries and exhibited over 100 emerging artists.
I’m an artist who has filled a niche, and in the process enriched the lives of artists nationwide by documenting the underrepresented Contemporary Art Movements. Prior to Hurricane Katrina, the New Orleans art community was dominated by a handful of gallerists and their patrons. In the words of an old friend, “It’s wide open.” I took advantage of that opening, and the community responded by supporting me. For that, I am deeply grateful.
Dan Cameron once said to me, “You do your part and I’ll do mine.” Those words stayed with me and warmed my soul. If you’re reading this letter, I have a favor to ask of you--I want you to do your part, and I’ll do mine. I’ve done some soul searching over the last few months about the community in which I live, trying to ascertain what I can do to make it more harmonious. And I invite you to join me--to think about what you can do to enrich someone else’s life. If you have dinner and have leftovers, find a homeless person and give them some nourishment. If someone approaches you and asks you for money, give it to them and don’t ask any questions (or pass any judgment). If you know of a single parent who’s trying to make ends meet and you have some extra money, buy her some groceries. Become a big brother or sister and become an active member of your community. Artists are always on the front line of change and the world needs our support--now more than ever.
Best Regards,
Terrence Sanders, Editor & Publisher
