Words from the Wiser...
The first volume, “Florida’s Water: The Risks, the Rewards, the Reality,” hit some speed bumps along its production, getting snagged in the last stages of page design. For this issue, we resolved to pick up our pens and start afresh. While our writers fiendishly hunted for snappy stories, our art staff rallied together to mastermind the creative angles. In our humble opinion, the finished product’s never looked better.
So what’s new with Orange & Blue?
This time around, we explored every artistic angle Florida is famous (and not-so famous) for. We went backstage at the Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind (Ray Charles’ alma mater) to see the dazzling musical talents that landed them a plum spot during the 2005 Super Bowl halftime show. We take you inside Sarasota’s Sailor Circus School, which was nearly extinct just a few months ago. Our reporters tracked down unknown artists in fruit groves and by the seashore. We also confront the issues, stretching from art funding to censorship. Moreover, we show you the movers and the shakers of Florida’s art world.
But as always, O&B’s goal was to provide a first-class read mixed with some high-quality art. Was it a challenge? You bet. Were there countless hours of editing? So many it almost hurts to think about it. Was it worth it? Well, we think so…and we have a hunch you’ll think it’s a success too.
Diana Middleton & Lauren Simo
Editors-in-Chief