Interview with Cornelia Seckel, Publisher of Art Times Journal

Conducted by Renée Phillips

Cornelia Seckel, Publisher, ART TIMES.

Editor's note: It has been an honor to have known Corneila Seckel since she started ART TIMES. She is one of the most dedicated individuals in the art world. It also gives me pleasure to congratulate her on her 25th Anniversary of ART TIMES.

ART TIMES celebrates 25 YEARS of providing commentary and resources for the fine and performing arts. Each month copies are distributed in the Northeast Corridor of the US, concentrating in the Metropolitan New York and Hudson Valley Regions. Copies are also sent across the US as well as to Europe and Asia.

Cornelia, what inspired you (and your husband Raymond Steiner) to start ATJ?
I was at a point in my life when I wanted more of a work challenge having spent 12 years as an eduator and career counselor.

What is your mission and how has it changed over the years, if at all?
My mission was and continues to be to provide a resource for the creative community one that crosses county and state lines providing practical and intellectual stimulus. What has changed is that for the past 5 years I can reach even more people through the internet where we have a very strong presence. With the beginning of our 26th year we will begin publishing in print every other month and much more frequently the website. I expect to have reviews of cultural events sent in by readers and to have a running blog from Raymond with his thoughts, critiques and reviews as well as my own of where I've been, what I've seen.

What do you consider to be your major achievement(s) since you started?
The major achievement is to still be publishing after 25 years. We rely on advertising and have never received any other financial support.

What are the most major changes you have seen in the arts since your inception?
I don't see any major changes except for the Internet which is a whole new way of getting information out to the world. Galleries open, they close, there are more cooperative ventures among arts communities and I think that is encouraged by funding sources.

Any thoughts/observations about the arts and the economy?
Art has always been a difficult way to make a living and I don't think it is the true artist who has that expectation. I see some artists doing different work that is more saleable but somehow to be a true artist they still have to do their work.

What guides your editorial focus? How do you generally decide what art shows and artists to cover for each issue?
Raymond makes decisions on who he wants to write about based on having seen the artist's work over the years. He must believe that there is something for all of us to learn about from that artist or exhibit. He has never been driven by who advertises with us.

Sometimes the logistics of: where something is, when it is, can he get there, has he been to that gallery in the recent past, affects whether he sees a show or not.

Our Editorial focus has always been the same: to present essays about the various art forms by people who love that work and are experts in their fields (eg music, dance, theatre, film etc). My column is newsy, current and what's happening in our region and beyond. I include what comes across my desk and more importantly where I can get to.

In the near future we will have a forum on our website for readers to write about cultural events they have attended and to post a picture or link to a youtube.

I have met Raymond and he is an extraordinary, bright and talented man -- an author, writer and artist. What's a benefit of being married and partnering with Raymond on ATJ?
I like that we have built this business and we get to spend a lot of time together. We also do very different things for ART TIMES and so there is little conflict. I don't tell him who or what to write about and he doesn't tell me how to run the business. Not to say we don't ask advice from one another.

In recent years we have witnessed a decline in print circulation and an increased focus on the website of many publications. Do you anticipate going paperless? Why or why not?
I just don't see a paperless office or a paperless world. Even by publishing in print every two months and developing an even greater presence online I think people will continue to want to have a resource in their hands. It may be that they are downloading and printing ART TIMES (which they can do now from our website homepage).

How will you be celebrating your 25th Anniversary?
It's Party Time!!! Not sure where or when but I'll let you know.

For more information visit www.arttimesjournal.com
info@arttimesjournal.com
Telephone and Fax: 845-246-6944
PO Box 730, Mt. Marion, NY 12456
Street Address: 16 Fite Road, Saugerties, NY 12477

Renée Phillips is the Director of Manhattan Arts International at www.ManhattanArts.com. Known as "The Artrepreneur Coach", she counsels artists worldwide. She is the author of Presentation Power Tools For Fine Artists, and Success Now! For Artists: A Motivational Guide For The Artrepreneur.

Read more articles by Renée Phillips on this website.

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