This is my first issue as editor of NAWA NOW Magazine. I have been a coeditor for three years, and now that I am editor I know how much work it is. So, first, big Shout Out to Sandra Bertrand, whose vision and passion brought us this far. We have gone from a newsletter to a full- fledged virtual magazine in that time. My own contribution was to become proudly virtual, adding links to articles and other websites and embedding videos so our readers can choose how deeply they want to explore our subject matter.

My vision of NAWA Now is that it is for our members, by our members and about our members. I invite you to contribute stories, articles and events that you think will be relevant to our membership. We will be setting up a submissions committee to review your entries and decide where to place them. I noticed that when I came on board I had an idea that I wanted to write a column on underrepresented women artists I admired. I wrote a few, and then it became too time consuming to continue. (So many.)

Linh Vivace writes a column on places in America she visits where women are making a difference through their art practices. She likes to roam.

I wonder if you have art projects and activities you want to write about or interests you want to share with us in an article or two? I invite you to submit. We will help you with editing and proofreading and figuring out how to add images to your text.

I want to thank our volunteers who came to proofread and stayed to write, edit, review, interview and brainstorm. They are: Susan Rostand, Lolly Owens, T”Alyne, Loretta Kaufman, Patrice Boyes, and Robin Okun.

This issue would not have come out without you. I look forward to seeing how you grow here and what your participation brings to us.

With this issue, Patrice Boyes comes on board as our new co-editor. She has terrific experience and I know she can contribute so much to our magazine. Personally, I’m very glad to have another mind and set of eyes to share our vision.

Thanks you, Janet Indick for supplying the image for our cover.

“My clay sculpture Trees expresses the decay and destruction of trees caused on this planet by climate change: fires, floods, drought, earthquakes, tornadoes, volcanoes, buildings collapsing, property demolished, animal species extinction, and
homelessness.” Janet Indick

Thanks Jill Barrata and Christie Devereaux and Charlene Ko for your support, contributions and attention. It helped us a lot to know you wanted to keep NAWA Now going.

I hope you enjoy this issue. We had hoped to have it out in Winter, but it took us a little more time to adjust to our new situation and welcome our new contributors.

Warm thoughts and Best Wishes,

Sarah Katz
Editor, NAWA Now Magazine

I am pleased to be working with Sarah and Mimi on producing a digital magazine that will serve current and future members. We hope to bring to you an array of timely articles that prompt your creativity, curiosity and interest in NAWA’s goal of promoting women artists. As time has shown, if we don’t do it, who will?

In addition to meeting such interesting, accomplished artists, and making new friends, I am drawn to this volunteer work for NAWA because I was a working journalist in my 20s. I have a master’s degree in journalism from the University of Michigan, worked as Political Editor of a major Florida daily, and enjoyed a stint as a Florida-based stringer for the New York Times during law school. Any opportunity to write in service to a worthy cause is restorative and welcome.

Patrice Boyes
Co-Editor, NAWA Now Magazine