Two Pikes Peak Region arts publications fold

Sad news in my inbox today:

Springs Magazine ceases publication after 27 years of serving arts community.

Colorado Springs-Sunrise Publishing, Inc., publishers of the Springs Magazine and Bon Vivant announced today that both magazines ceased publication effective March 31, 2009.

According to publisher Michael Gardner, "It was a wrenching decision. In our 27 years of publication we've been through a number of lo cal and national downturns but this most recent recession has been different in many ways. As much as associate publisher Sharon Friedman and I wanted to continue serving the region's arts community the economics of doing so just weren't there."

"I know there are other venues for our advertising customers but I still feel bad about not being there for them," said Friedman, who is also Director of Advertising. "I've worked with many of our clients so long that they are like family and I'm going to miss them terribly. I feel so grateful and honored to have been able to have served them for so long."

Springs Magazine was the region's oldest and largest monthly magazine devoted to championing the arts. It would have been 28 years old this May. Bon Vivant, its sister publication, was a high-end four-color slick stock direct mailed publication also focused on local art and artists.

"I know everyone is saying print journalism is an artifact of another century, that the Internet is the future. We considered transitioning to an online platform, like many papers are doing, but frankly there are still too few successful models. The Internet may be publishing's future but it's not here yet," said Gardner.

"It's been an incredible ride," said Gardner. "I'm very proud of the stories we've done along the way, the message we've helped to deliver, that the arts are a vital foundation for a successful community."

"It's hard to imagine doing anything else," said Friedman, a sentiment echoed by Gardner. "I believe we still have ink running in our veins. Even though we won't be publishing news about the arts we still plan to actively support those who are making it," said Gardner.