Local creatives meld tradition and modernity with independent magazine

With their most up-to-date situation incredibly hot off the presses — released this July — local magazine Iconica is set to go on on in their celebration of fashion, arts and lifestyle. The magazine strives to mix contemporary artwork with the regional lifestyle of New Mexico even though working to hook up artists throughout the point out with their subsequent major chance.

“My vision for Iconica is to be a hallmark of what it usually means to be New Mexican in a sense of, I assume we’re seriously regarded for older traditions, and I would like it to be a equilibrium of bringing that modern-day expertise in with our record and it just getting a focal level for all of the wonderful expertise we have here in a pretty high-conclude way,” Natassja Santistevan, innovative director for Iconica, reported.

So far, the crew has launched two concerns, marketing around 50 for their initially problem and providing out their 2nd situation, nearly tripling the to start with issue’s numbers, according to Santistevan. The journal, which prides alone on its inclusivity and its capability to support new artists expand, normally takes treatment in giving equal attention to all submissions, in accordance to Cameron Ward, editor and communications innovative supervisor for Iconica.

“Our mission statement is that it’s open up for all ages … all races, all sexualities, orientations. We required to not just be a platform for people today to exhibit their artwork, but we’re starting to even have it be a social networking system for, not just artists here in Albuquerque, but we’re broadening up toward Santa Fe and Taos,” Ward stated.

The magazine accepts a wide variety of submissions, together with images, created is effective across a plethora of kinds and open up media, among the some others.

In their 3rd concern, envisioned to be out this slide, visitors can anticipate an even bigger magazine with a a lot more edgy, punk course and a target on style, according to Ward. Santistevan is also hopeful that the high quality will only boost with coming problems and is anticipating the following challenge to be a “showstopper.”

The duo has been achieving out to Indigenous designers and artists for their upcoming concern — Ward hopes that with each issue, the sprawling, loaded Indigenous tradition and lifestyle in New Mexico is represented.

“We’ve been achieving out to designers in Albuquerque … we’re achieving out to native designers from Santa Fe and exhibiting our individuals who this land is for, you know. Form of reaching back again to our ancestors. I’m from Isleta, so I surely wanna generally stick to my roots about whose land we stole,” Ward mentioned.

Ward first established her sights on building the magazine her junior 12 months at UNM via her get the job done at the Daily Lobo and a sequence of photography lessons which ignited her interest in composing about and photographing trend and arts. She then achieved Santistevan at a bakery where by they were working as an event coordinator. Bonding over their shared really like of model, Ward approached Santistevan about collaborating on Iconica immediately after speaking only a handful of occasions.

“We ended up pretty significantly strangers, but I considered Natassja was possibly a excellent match we’re equally incredibly arranged and go-getters,” Ward stated.

Transferring forward, Santistevan hopes to further shape the journal in the course of other substantial-close publications that they are impressed by, this kind of as BRICKS and Pop journals, to additional provide chopping-edge art and trend to New Mexico. Each Santistevan and Ward hope to broaden their magazine to grow to be a place for networking involving area artists, versions, contributors and prospective employers. Previously, they have started off connecting venues and galleries with contributors.

“Our target is just to really broaden Iconica. We want it to not just be open to our nearby scene, but get related with our elders and get connected with our local mentors, and so we want it to be a system where by we assistance every single other … just constructing every other up and building every single other’s portfolio we all wanna be recognised for one thing,” Ward claimed.

The third edition of Iconica journal is now readily available for pre-purchase people fascinated can retain up with them on Instagram @iconica.magazine and inquire about publishing performs at [email protected].

Zara Roy is the copy main at the Daily Lobo. She can be contacted at [email protected] or on Twitter @zarazzledazzle