Welcome to a new episode of Art & Cocktails. I’m your host, Ekaterina Popova, and today we're celebrating a significant milestone—our eight-year anniversary of running an indie artist-run magazine and platform, Create! Magazine. In this episode, I'll take you behind the scenes and share the journey, challenges, and triumphs of running an indie magazine dedicated to supporting contemporary emerging and established artists. We'll explore the logistical and creative aspects of producing each issue, from the initial concept and call for art to the final layout and distribution. Highlights: Introduction: Celebrating the eight-year anniversary of Create Magazine and reflecting on the journey from its inception as Fresh Paint to its rebranding and growth. Challenges: Discussing the challenges of running a print magazine in a digital age, including fluctuating paper prices, adapting to new technologies, and navigating the impacts of COVID-19. Sustainability: How we’ve managed to create a sustainable pace by balancing creative passion with practical business strategies, and why it’s essential to avoid comparing ourselves to larger, well-funded organizations. Curating and Publishing: The process of curating artists' work, collaborating with guest curators, and the meticulous steps involved in editing, designing, and promoting each issue. Community Support: The importance of community support, both from our team and from the artists and readers who make it possible to continue this work. Celebrating the connections and opportunities created through our platform, including artists being discovered by curators and gaining solo shows. Financial Insights: Lessons learned about managing finances, investing wisely, and the significance of community-driven growth over flashy investments. Call for Art: Announcing the open call for our special anniversary issue, inviting all artists to submit their work by July 30, 2024. This issue will be curated by our team, including myself, Alicia, and Christina. Key Takeaways: Building an indie magazine requires passion, resilience, and a strong support system. Sustainable growth comes from balancing creative projects with practical business strategies. Community and collaboration are at the heart of creating meaningful opportunities for artists. Financial management is crucial for maintaining and growing an independent platform. Links & Resources: Submit Your Work for the Anniversary Issue Follow Ekaterina Popova on Instagram Create Magazine Support & Reviews: If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review on iTunes and share it with your friends. Your support helps us reach more artists and continue providing valuable content. Thank you for being part of our journey. We appreciate your support and look forward to many more years of celebrating art and creativity together!

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