Created by artists to support the arts. Created for artists and supporters of the arts.
VIA Noke Magazine is the brainchild of two graphic designers (Emily & Chelsea) who share a mutual love for publication design and the arts. Although we recognize the advantages of modern technology, we passionately believe that the impact of print media is too valuable to become obsolete. The main features of our magazine will focus on the visual work of artists in our community and seeks to expose the connective thread of these artists at different stages in the progression of their creative processes.
The Name VIA is an acronym for “Visually Inspired Art” and also refers to how we want to be a source of information and communication between members of the creative community and those who are searching for avenues in which to become more involved. “Noke” is a slang nickname for our beloved city and is commonly used among the millennial generation throughout the region. In essence, we aspire to be a designated source for discovering visual art in Roanoke through this medium.
Each issue will feature local artists, from high school students all the way up to professional working artists. We don't want VIA Noke to just be another magazine full of dates and events, but instead serve as a voice for the artists and a way for the community to get to know them. We want to share the artists' ideas, processes, and inspiration. Readers should close the last page with more knowledge about the art community around them and the urge to either become a part of it or support it like never before.
How will VIA Noke be any different than the magazines that already exist in the Roanoke area? Why create another one?
The way we see it, VIA Noke will not compete with any other local publications when it comes to content. We have many magazines in our region that cater to different demographics and contain different types of content. Currently, there is no publication in the Roanoke Valley that features the work of local artists and in-depth interviews with those artists. Our feature articles will serve to directly expose the communtiy to the thoughts and processes of artists instead of just listing a date, time, and location for an event where they are being featured. Each local publication has their own niche; we feel that we will be filling a void in our community by providing VIA Noke.
How will VIA Noke benefit the community?
We really want VIA Noke to be a reflection of our local art community, but also of our community as a whole. We want to tear down the boundaries that people have created and bring the arts to people of all walks of life. The arts should be available to everyone, and by bringing VIA Noke to life we are putting the arts directly into peoples' hands and giving them a new opportunity to connect with the creative community. We also want to open up communication between different types of artists so that they can learn more about each other and begin collaborating. We want to be both a source of information and a source of education.
How much will VIA Noke cost?
It will be free! Like many other free publications in the area, you will be able to pick up a free copy at many locations throughout the city and county. We will compile a list of distribution locations soon!
What will VIA Noke look like?
VIA Noke will be the size of an iPad (7.5"x9.5"), the perfect size to pick up and throw in your purse or backpack when you're on the go. Our pages will be printed on high quality 80lb matte paper with high quality inks; everything should look stunning! Also, with our goal of using local businesses in mind, VIA Noke will be printed locally.
What kinds of things will Issue 1 feature?
We don't want to give away too much! But so far, we have a great featured artist lined up and our other artist spotlights (adults and students) are looking great! It's a good mix of mediums so far, and we like it that way. Have any suggestions for articles or content? It's not too late to send us an email!
Can anyone be featured?
Possibly! While we want to carefully select the work that we feature in the magazine, the only way to find out the talents of our community is to discover their work! We have been finding artists in various ways, from word of mouth and/or the internet to seeing their work hanging somewhere and writing down their name. Please send us any suggestions if you know someone (or are someone) that we should check out! Don't be intimidated! We're really nice, and excited to meet you!
How can I get involved?
Have a great idea we should know about? Are you a great writer? Take fantastic photographs? Want to write a letter to the editor with ideas or critiques? Please, please, please contact us! We really want VIA Noke to be a community-driven publication, and we cannot do that without input from the community! Tell us what you want to see! You never know what we haven't thought of yet.
Will you expand to feature other areas other than Roanoke?
That's the goal! There are so many wonderful, creative communities in our region! Hopefully as we get off the ground and begin bringing in steady advertising revenue we can expand to Floyd, Blacksburg, and towards Smith Mountain Lake! Baby steps for now. Hopefully we will have a strong enough base to expand later in the year.
How do you plan to fund this long-term?
Advertising. As with any publication, advertising pays for the costs of printing and operating, especially when the publication is free. Hopefully local companies and organizations will see the benefit of advertising to our target audience and will jump on board to support us in the near future!
