In January of 2011 I made one of the best decisions I’d ever made. Seeing the need for a platform to show the work of emerging photographers, along with a desire to be here on the farm to caretake my mother, I founded South x Southeast magazine. Our first online and in-print issue launched July 1st of that year.
Over the course of these last fourteen years, I’ve published approximately 100 issues of the magazine. We’ve showcased upwards of 800 artists, books, workshops, interviews, videos, and exhibitions. A few years in, I launched South x Southeast Workshops, and South x Southeast Gallery in both bricks-and-mortar and online form, where even more photographers learned, exhibited, taught, and shared their creativity and art.
It was not always easy – nothing worthwhile is, I’ve learned – and there were plenty of times I felt like throwing in the towel. But I’m glad I didn’t.
Because these days, these precious days we’re living in, require us to respond with our art, our creativity, our souls, and our goodness. Not only are photographers creating more – I can prove it with this issue – it seems we’re on a mission to publish that book, make that workshop, edit those years of images, produce that exhibition, and get it out there. We’re also addressing social and political issues with stark documentary work. Along with beautiful, eye-opening, head-turning reminders of what we have to lose. Life has thrown down the gauntlet. And we’ve picked it up and run with it. Bravo to you all.
Please enjoy this issue. Read the photographer’s words that go with their amazing images. Listen to what they and their images have to teach us. I hope to see your work, soon.
And, as always, thank you for being here. We couldn’t do it without you.
Happy Anniversary!
