Well, maybe just a little.

It’s kind of a Cinderella story. An underdog story. A power-of-the-people story. You may have read on CAN Blog right after it happened, but now that we have had some time to reflect on it, we are compelled also to put it in print: In June, at its annual All Ohio Excellence in Journalism Awards, the Press Club of Cleveland named CAN Journal its Best Magazine in Ohio.

We were proud to share the stage with runner-up Edible Cleveland, which is also beautiful and outstanding, and also proud to be chosen over third-place winner Cleveland Magazine, because recognition is sweeter when the competition is tough.

For this (still) upstart nonprofit art magazine to compete successfully against the established regional monthly (and magazines from all over Ohio) is an enormous accomplishment. That’s not bragging. We’re just telling the truth. Well, maybe we are bragging just a little.

While the judges did not offer any comments, we have a few ideas about what sets CAN apart. First, it is a magazine about art. Thanks to the region’s artists, we have a steady supply of gorgeous images that help us tell every story. And all the credit for showing that off with clean, sensible style goes to our designer, JoAnn Dickey.

Second, CAN counts among its contributors many of the most accomplished writers on art in the region, including our communications manager Brittany Mariel Hudak (who gathers dozens of events for the CAN Weekly e-newsletter), as well as Douglas Max Utter, CWRU Professor Henry Adams PhD, William Busta, Joseph Clark, Jeff Hagan, jimi izrael, Erin O’Brien, and many others. Our impeccable copy editing is done by Laura Fratus.

Even more important than that, though, we believe that CAN’s strength is in the volume of its content. Each issue brings you extensive news of what is coming up in Cleveland, thanks to our Members Report section. The word “robust” comes to mind. It underscores our core belief that we are stronger together.

This year we have continued to build on that idea, welcoming new members to diversify and more accurately than ever reflect the scope of art making in Cleveland.

As we go to press, the Sculpture Center has announced new leadership. After twelve years leading the organization, Ann Albano has stepped down. Grace Chin—who has extensive development experience at the American Symphony Orchestra, Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, and the Whitney Museum of American Art—will lead the organization forward.

As we look ahead to fall, we’re happy to report some great new developments. Herb Ascherman, Laura D’Allessandro, and Jim Szudy have launched Cleveland Photo Fest, which aims to be an annual series of exhibits and has the goal of strengthening appreciation of the role of photography as a medium. You’ll find Bruce Checefsky’s story on the effort later on these pages.

In addition to dozens of stories from our members, you’ll also find jimi izrael’s interview with cover artist Michelangelo Lovelace, whose paintings of urban street scenes have developed a national audience and are headed to Expo Chicago in September. Brittany Hudak discusses paintings of Dana Oldfather, who has a show opening at the McDonough Museum in Youngstown. Erin O’Brien investigates why the overwhelming majority of visual art organizations in Cleveland are led by women.

Speaking of women as leaders in the arts, on September 21, CAN’s benefit at Worthington Yards will celebrate women in top-level arts positions, from Artists Archives of the Western Reserve to moCa to Zygote Press. Our honored guests are George Gund Foundation Senior Program Officer for the Arts Jennifer Coleman and Cleveland Arts Prize-winner Kristen Cliffel. So please join us, and them. Your support helps us continue shining light on all the exhibits and events that make Cleveland a great place to experience art.

We look forward to seeing you.

Michael Gill

Editor / Publisher