Editor's Letter Summer 2009
My favorite time of the year is here once again. The ArtVoices July/August summer issue is out, and I’m either on the beach playing a game of chess or in my studio creating new work. Wherever I am, I’m having a great time and I wish you all a wonderful and productive summer.
Economy be damned, this summer is already a productive one here. I’ve been busy these last few weeks with new projects. One such project is the new clothing label I started called ART 101. This label will feature original t-shirt designs by Emerging Artists from around the nation. My main objective is to help artists sustain themselves by offering them 50% of the sales. Each shirt will come with the Art 101 manifesto, which will also be signed and numbered by the artists. My hope is that the artists will devote more time to their work than wasting their time in meaningless jobs to pay their bills. A percentage of the proceeds will also go to a charity of their choice. Please visit www.art101store.com to view and order our limited edition t-shirts. If you order two or more t-shirts from the site, you will receive a free one-year subscription to ArtVoices Magazine.
I’ve also completed the finishing touches on an art documentary titled New Orleans Contemporary Art: Post Katrina. This Art Doc is dedicated in loving memory of my friend Jeffrey Cook. It features the New Orleans Contemporary Art community’s biggest and brightest stars. We’re entering the documentary in film festivals worldwide, and screening at select museums nationwide. I will keep you informed on the upcoming screening dates.
Last but not least, I’ve launched the “New Orleans Art Tours” that will start Saturday June 27th with two tours at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., both lasting three hours and visiting over 20 galleries in all four art districts. The tour will take place on Saturdays only until October, when it kicks into full swing. I need you all to help me make this a success and book a tour. Don’t put it off — book it now for you and a friend and and go see all the Art that our diverse and growing community has to offer. Please visit www.neworleansarttours.com for booking and further information.
I want to thank a few of the great ones that have appeared in our magazine over the past year and a half. We’ve featured Dan Cameron, Marcel Wisznia, Kirsha Kaechele, Renee Stout, Jeffrey Cook, Dawn Dedeaux, Rebecca Rebouche, Generic Art Solutions, Blaine Capone, Sanford Biggers, Srdjan Loncar, Thelma Golden, Franklin Sirmans, Shantrelle Lewis, Jennifer Odem, Willie Birch, Andy Antippas, Robert Tannen, Christopher Porche West, Lee Meitzen Grue, David Furchgott, Robin Williams, Elizabeth Catlett, Ammar Eloueini, Matt Petersen, Carrie Villines, Lucien Smith, Julie Dermansky, John Sinclair, Paul Chan, Joy Glidden, Miranda Lash, Prisca Weems, Mel Chin, Tony Nozero, Albert Ledner, Welmon Sharlhorne, Frank Relle, Andrei Codrescu, Ernest Concepcion and Niyi Osundare to name a few — and thank you again for gracing us with your vision and presence. I will continue to celebrate and recognize certain individuals for their contribution to our great society. If you see something in ArtVoices that strikes a chord — or that initiates dialogue that gives you a sense of a higher purpose or a deeper meaning then put your politics, prejudices and hearsay aside and act on it. Don’t wait for the herd, trust your instincts. I’m working as hard as I can in order for you to become more proactive. I trust you to become more involved with all the Art that’s being created in your respective communities, and less dependent on gallerists and critics with agendas. They want to coerce you into their philosophy. I want to gain your trust page by page.
Best Regards,
Terrence Sanders, Editor & Publisher
