Plug Into New ‘Outlet’

Non-Profit, Quarterly Arts Journal Launches in Savannah

One of the great things about Savannah—this big small town (or, depending on your perspective, small big city) on the Georgia coast that I’ve called home for 20 months—is its robust, ever-expanding arts scene, generating a palpable creative energy suitable for invoking the muse.

Despite this burgeoning arts community, and even with a fairly respectable assortment of local print publications, Savannah lacked an “offline” magazine dedicated solely and specifically to this community, its creative creatures and their admirers. I, for one, thought it obvious that such an arts journal could not only survive but thrive here. Luckily, I wasn’t alone.

Last month, the creative electricity pulsing through Savannah’s normally humid air finally landed on the page—46 of them, to be precise—and then newsstands, thanks to Britt Scott (graphic designer) and Laura Clark (writer/editor).

Sparked by the desire to offer “a venue through which to publish and view local art of all kinds,” the duo developed and eventually launched Outlet. The quarterly, not-for-profit journal exclusively features submitted content. The editors welcome art of every variety, as long as it can be reproduced or represented in print, including graphic design, photography, fashion design, fibers, painting, sculpture, creative writing, industrial design, architecture, and illustration.

That diversity was on full display in Outlet’s premier issue, presenting an eclectic mix of pen-and-ink drawing, sequential illustration, varied styles of photography, poetry, flash fiction, digital collage, fashion and jewelry design, and, of course, painting. From Casey O’Connell’s acrylic and oil stain paintings on wood panels to Jessica Leigh Lebos’s clarion call, “To the Artist Who Shoulders the Yoke,” Outlet bursts with creative stimulation and inspiration, re-justifying its existence with every flip of the page.

A Gallery In Print

The magazine, a work of art itself, feels as if a superbly curated gallery is unfolding before you, in your hands—all for a mere $3.95. Along with its design and layout, Outlet’s sections enhance this aura: “Showcase” features works from individual artists under a uniting theme; with “Juxtaposition,” the magazine’s editors place two independently created pieces by two artists side-by-side to evoke new creative meaning; “Exhibition” displays cohesive bodies of work by individual artists (three to six pieces each, along with an artist’s statement); Outlet brings together several artists working in a variety of mediums in “Collaboration” to produce one body of work original to the magazine; and “Sketchbook” offers a peek at the creative process of a local artist.

As one of its already 300-plus Facebook fans posted, “I love this magazine! My only disappointment was getting to the last page.” Outlet does, however, seemed poised for growth. As more Savannahians become aware of the publication, hopefully increases in support (e-mail Outlet to learn more about sponsorship opportunities) will follow, allowing the journal to endure and expand.

“Britt and I have been really thrilled by the local response to Outlet thus far,” Clark wrote in a recent e-mail exchange .

“Not only have we been embraced by an art community that appears to have been waiting for such an ‘outlet,’ but Savannah’s business community has been incredibly supportive and generous in sponsoring our initiative,” she said. “Today, we’re just excited to be granted the opportunity to continue to develop the concept and get as many locals involved as possible!”

One of the fun, innovative ways Outlet is getting locals involved is by offering a homework assignment for Savannahians each issue. The first such assignment, featured on the last page of the current winter issue, is to take the blank Post-It note provided (or one of your own) and “make art on it or with it.” But you better hurry; the deadline is only a few days away. Submissions must be postmarked or e-mailed by Monday, January 25. All visual mediums and multiple submissions accepted. Mail your work, along with your name, phone number and e-mail address to Outlet Magazine, P.O. Box 9032, Savannah, GA 31412. You can also e-mail (outletmagazine [at] gmail [dot] com) a low-res jpeg scan of your Post-It art, along with aforementioned information, by the deadline. We look forward to viewing the creative results in the second issue of Outlet in early spring.

Pick up your copy today at any of the following locations:
Primary Art Supply, Gallery Espresso, JW Salon, Leoci’s Trattoria, Civvies New and Recycled Clothing, and Smitten Salon.