Resilience

As I have shared with the readership in recent Publisher Letters, I became a part-time barista during the pandemic, as we were re-launching Art New England. This allowed me to restore my health insurance and also help a few ends meet. And anything that helps me accomplish those issues, helps me keep Art New England going. Recently, a guest came into the coffee establishment and ordered a brewed coffee. When it wasn’t immediately ready, he became agitated. A colleague explained it would just be a moment and yet he was unappeased. It was a mere coffee, after all, and should take two minutes. My colleague explained it was an extremely busy moment and it would be made as quickly as possible. The guest became enraged and yelled “you should all get real jobs” and walked out. This left me wondering, “What is a real job?” and “Is this one fake?”

I learned a lot from that exchange. Mainly, that there is always far more going on in any given situation than we can see on the surface. And that we should never underestimate how challenging or demanding another’s job is. Many of us made major life alterations during the pandemic and since—out of necessity. I could have walked away from this magazine and chose not to. I balance being a publisher and a barista and, as of the last few years, as I have also shared, a caregiver. Is this a challenging balance? Yes. Is the art world coping with its own major challenges and financial setbacks? Yes. The arts—and free speech and freedom of the press—are under attack. Are we all exhausted, working to sustain our roles and our resources for the privilege of making, exhibiting, and writing about art? Oh, yes. The arts and arts budgets are being hit hard. This has a ripple effect. Please understand that if your “coffee” or “magazine issue” is late, there is a valid reason. It is not intentional. We are doing the best we can because we believe in what we do.

My schedule over the past few years has been tight, to say the least. A recent move has allowed me more proximity to art events and it’s been a joy to venture out. I juried the Exhibit New England 2025 show at North Shore Arts Association (NSAA) and the work was stunning; a fascinating mix of mediums, genres and perspectives. NSAA is also home to the Belleroche & The John Singer Sargent Connection opening July 11. You can read more about this intense relationship in this issue. Our second feature, Summer of Joy, is always dedicated to the joyous expressions of art during the fleeting summer months. Several writers share their thoughts on engaging exhibitions and performances throughout the region. I write about Boston Dance Theater—a new discovery for me—and their performance of two new works which took place at the Crane Estate in Ipswich, MA. Their work is powerful and passionate and I encourage you all to seek out one of their performances this season. In the spirit of dance and movement, Paige Farrell visits Sarah Slifer Swift of MAGMA (Movement Arts Gloucester MA); Cynthia Close explores artist homes and studios where inspiration meets sanctuary; Frances Jakubek profiles Yorgos Efthymiadis, one of the recipients of the ICA/Boston’s 2025 James and Audrey Foster Prize; Michael Zhang continues his coverage of the Boston Public Art Triennial; Alix Woodford continues her conversation with Fermín Castro, the Cuban-born, self-taught artist whose sculptures captivated Art New England several months ago when Castro was selected as an Art New England Emerging Artist. And, yes, there is more. We highlight Maine as an art-filled destination and share reviews, previews and Exhibition Listings offering intellectual stimulation as well as a respite from the news and challenges of the moment. Art is magical in that regard. I hope you’ll experience as much as possible this summer. Buy a piece of art on your summer vacation. Catch a dance or theatrical performance while you’re at it. Walk the grounds of New England Botanic at Tower Hill, home to the mesmerizing sculptures of George Sherwood and his Art in Motion exhibition. Wave Cloud is comprised of seven thousand stainless steel “sails” which work together to move the piece. That’s a lot of moving parts. I appreciate this metaphor and hope you all do as well. We must all work together to keep the arts moving forward. There will be kinks in the “sails” and some days you may wait a little longer for your “coffee” yet it’s worth it all in my book.

In gratitude,

Rita A. Fucillo
Publisher

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