Freedom of Speech, Freedom of the Press

When one lives in a society where people can no longer rely on the institutions to tell them the truth,
the truth must come from culture and art. — Poet-activist John Trudell (1946-2015)

Both freedoms are threatened today. As are arts institutions, performing arts centers, museums, civil liberties. The list is long and growing. The JFK Library & Museum closure, however brief, was chilling and sent a wave of anxiety across the country. The devastation of The Kennedy Center and forced performance cancellations is outrageous. I’m hearing stories of frozen funding and utter confusion throughout New England. Everything the arts represents is under attack: community, empathy, tolerance, inclusivity, freedom of expression and intelligence. When we gather, we are at our strongest. When we are in community, we co-create. Gathering and creating are now targeted.

I’ve read enough Margaret Atwood, Timothy Snyder, George Orwell and Masha Gessen to know that this is very serious. There is no point in looking back and wondering how we got here. There is no point in pointing fingers. There is only time and energy for what can be done now to protect the arts and our freedoms of expression. Already we’re seeing certain members of the press barred from The White House. We may soon see only a chosen few allowed in The White House press pool. NPR and PBS are under investigation. My head explodes every day.

And here we are. A medium-sized regional art magazine that celebrated its 45th anniversary last year. Re-emerging amidst the pandemic was challenging, on so many levels, from the paper shortage to a reduced, remote staff, to the roller-coaster of openings and closings due to new variants. And yet we made it through. And I have every intention of Art New England surviving this arts assault as well. This is where we gather and find community. Writers are fighters and have so much to say. Artists, well, you are the key holders to the continuity and preservation of everything that makes us a civilized and vibrant society. We support you fully. And to my small and mighty staff, you rock. We have overcome our share of hurdles and hiccups together and now is no different. Yes, our production cycle has been choppy at times. Not every hurdle is easily met. Personally, I am a part-time barista (a pandemic pivot); I coach artists; I am a full-time caregiver at home and wear several hats at Art New England. I do all this because I love this magazine and believe in its impact and am devoted to the artists and arts organizations whose stories we tell.

In this, our annual Emerging Artists Issue, the stories are beautiful and compelling. The art is breathtaking. Our youngest Emerging Artist is just seventeen and wise beyond his years. This issue also reports on the first solo—and extraordinary—exhibition of Indigenous photographer and this issue’s cover artist, Cara Romero at the Hood by Michael Zhang; Wonders of Creation: Art, Science, and Innovation in the Islamic World at the McMullen by Susan Saccoccia; the fifth installment of Jennifer Mancuso’s passionate series, Aerosol, our dive into the region’s origins of graffiti; the re-opening of the Yale Center for British Art by Chris Volpe; a culinary Studio Visit with Chef Alex Crabb of Asta by Paige Farrell; a Profile on the intense and fascinating work of Tara Sellios and her new show at Fitchburg Art Museum by Frances Jakubek; amongst pages of Reviews and Exhibition Listings that will expand your mind and feed your soul. Art New England featured Sellios on a cover back in 2010, if memory serves, and I have followed the emergence, the evolution of her career, over the years. I remain haunted by that cover still.

In this moment when words fail to describe what is happening around us, we turn to art to say it for us. To ground us and yet also remind us of our inherent freedom. Our freedom to express, through any and all artistic mediums, who we are and what we believe in. Our hair is on fire, our heads are exploding, pick your preferred euphemism. Take that emotion, that energy instead to a gallery, a museum, a concert, a sculpture park, a poetry reading. Support your arts community. Gather, defy, create, repeat. And help Art New England stay strong. Buy a subscription or an ad for a friend. This platform is vital and must be the loudest it’s ever been.

In gratitude,

Rita A. Fucillo
Publisher

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