Criticism is for lovers

Hello people!

Martha Daghlian and I have started a magazine! Of art criticism! For Portland of all places! As we wrote for our gr*nt applications:

Initial is a magazine of art criticism focused on Portland galleries, artists, and venues, publishing a website and quarterly print issue. Stewarded by co-editors Jaydra Johnson and Martha Daghlian, Initial is a space for in-depth and experimental arts writing, supporting the creative development of new critics as well as experienced writers wishing to expand their practices beyond the scope of our current local media landscape. Our goal is to grow and connect the community while providing experience, by-lines, and income. We are a space for less-conventional art criticism—critical personal essays, in-depth trend reports, intimate interviews, ekphrastic prose-poetry, and other hybrid or experimental forms. Our stylistic ethos is one of felt impression and thoughtful analysis over jargon or soundbites.

Please come to the launch party if you are in town! If you can’t make it, we’re planning to have the website go live the day after. We’ll also sell issues in as many local shops as will carry us.

If you’d like to write or submit art for the next issue, please email me at jaydranicole at gmail. See you there!