Transitional Thoughts
We’re in transition after having ceased publication of canvas Magazine. The transition has been bitter sweet. We put our hearts and souls into the magazine, worked with and met many great people, tried and retired a lot of different ways to help the publication grow. Bringing something like canvas to closure is hard for any business. You birthed it, nurtured it, invested in it and probably spoiled it a little too. You helped some along the way and you hurt some too, just like life.
For us there came a point of realization that regardless of how much passion, how much time and energy we invested there weren’t enough people in the market willing to invest their dollars to speak to those who read our publication. And read they did, we had people who would call our office asking for this issue or that because they didn’t get one before they ran out or it was rabbit eared from use. There were high school students who told us they had covers of canvas hanging on the wall. Rarely did we hear a harsh word, mostly sounds of praise. We even won two awards for our efforts.
We heard the same words over and over. Authenticity, professional, aesthetically pleasing, engaging, informative, non-bias, integrity. For us we felt honored and humbled at the same time. Our efforts beyond the pages of the magazine including Open Mic, Green Drinks, LIFT Dinners and others were also met with the same praise. Although these events earned us praise they earned us little else, since our focus was on those who came first, and us making money second.
What did it all mean?
Well as my business partner Matt said last week, “For almost three years we had the coolest magazine on Long Island.” He is right. We attracted people young and old, educated and not, rich and poor. We met artists, business leaders, as well as others who told us over and over how much they loved the magazine.
It meant that our ideals; mine, Matt and the others we worked with like our Editor Diana Murphy and VP of Office Affairs Katie Wallace were high. These ideals in the end may have cost us, but we are better people for it.
It meant as small business owners, who were not funded by someone else and wouldn’t sell the words we wrote for a buck, we had to scratch, claw and scramble for every dollar we took in.
It meant we had to learn to adapt, to deal with heartache and hardship, to be in awkward conversations that every business owner hates.
It meant canvas helped us become who we are now, who we will be tomorrow and that’s where the sweet part comes in.
I’m excited for the next chapter in the Footprint journey! We’re already debating how quickly can we grow, what systems are needed to be in place, why can’t we move faster, how do I keep us away from the pie in the sky conversations for the moment, and a whole host of other things.
I hope our old friends will join our new friends as we embark on this journey as we dive into the Green Palate and Social Media Management.
Tom Pellicane – former Publisher canvas Magazine
9 comments
Very nice writing, Tom. You captured our 3 year experience very well in so few words! I agree the canvas experience was very much like life, with all its beauty, drama, pain, and pleasure. Not only will canvas continue to live with us, it will live with all those whose lives it affected, and in that way canvas will be with us in our LI community and beyond for many years to come. canvas expanded minds, opened hearts, and brought awareness to a geographic location that sorely needed it. Others have picked up the baton and run with it, hopefully they will have high ideals and aim to help the evolution of the LI community. I know that we will continue to do that.
It’s funny, money didn’t come first…
I would have joined, become a member or
supported more $ if the thought of it
coming to a premature end was imminent.
I enjoyed the publication, art work, poems,
and stories. I tried to attend almost all of
the open mics which where great…
Thank you for your dedication and hard
work, and never surrender…
Namaste’,
Kathleen
Not the first great idea killed by a bad economy, and certainly not the last. You and Matt can hold your heads high with the knowledge that you delivered an excellent editorial product and educated and supported a your community. Looking forward to what’s to come with Green Palate!
Chris
Thanks for your kind words and we too are looking forward to sharing the Green Palate with you!
Kathleen
Thank you for inspirational words, maybe at some point we will venture down this lane in a different vehicle.
Thank you for your thoughtful presentations on life and its crucial needs; your efforts towards keeping us involved helped us all in our evolvement. Your footprint was definitely part of the walk we all need to take to help this planet. Keep on heeding the path.
Though I’m sorry to see canvas go in its present form, I look forward to the transformation. And maybe the great artwork will continue?
All Best ~ Rev Leslie
Rev Leslie
Thanks for your kine words, we look for to the transformation as well and hope art will be part of our footprint in the future.
Regards
Tom
I am sorry to hear that Canvas has stopped publishing..It was a breath of fresh air here on the island….I am the chef at Wild Honey in Oyster Bay & Wild Harvest in Glen Cove and always loved your food related columns…..I was just gonna advertise with you guys as well….I am leaving the restaurants at the end of August and starting my new biz called Cooking Zen, a personal chef service focused on “mindfull” eating, organic cooking and education…..I certainly wish you luck in the future and thanks for all the great articles in Canvas…Chef Zane Smith
Zane,
Thanks for your kind words, our intent is for the Green Palate to fill the void left by the closure of canvas. Our focus on Food was one of the most sought content areas and is all archived on this site.
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