In mid April a new magazine, ionART, will hit the newsstands! The publication will help promote Northwest Arkansas as a major art center. Perhaps I should say, «To let everyone know we are a major art center, because we truly are.»

When completed Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville will bring major changes to the art landscape of the area and will have a huge impact on all aspects of the economy of NW Arkansas. IonART will strive to unite through print the area art communities so we can be ready for that exciting change.

The quarterly magazine will be published by Steve Schmidt and Dan Stiel. I will serve as the editor, a very scary but exciting challenge for me. Each issue will feature an artist profile, a gallery profile, a patron profile, event listings, and news of interest about the art scene in NW AR. The publication will have a circulation of fifty-thousand copies, and will have a «classy» look to it, similar to that of «Cityscapes» and «Celebrate» magazines.

Pubisher Dan Stiel of Abetica and Stiel Direct LLC has relocated his office to Eureka Springs. He is sharing the space with magazine co-publisher Steve Schmidt and the Eureka Springs Artist Registry. The space will also be used for receptions and exhibits of local art as well as serving as the headquarters for ionART.

An artist spends much time alone in the studio. Most of my days are spent that way. As editor of the publication my self-imposed solitude is no more. I have been out and about much more than usual. This past weekend I was in Rogers and Bentonville talking with artists and gallery owners. I am doing lengthy interviews and snapping photos. Because of the magazine work, I am granted the opportunity to REALLY get to know my peers.

I am meeting and talking with people that have a passion for art. I am working with a magazine staff that shares that passion and is focused on promoting the arts in our corner of the state. Focus and passion unites and motivates. We are taking a cue from Project Runway's Tim Gunn and we will «make it work!!!»

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