_The Oxford American is delighted to announce that its 124^th issue will center on the theme of Southern Art. Inspired by the artisans, folk artists, and world-famous creators from our region, this edition explores painting, photography, textiles, and ceramics—multiple pathways of visual expression—and their practitioners. The issue also delves into altars, flowers, rugs: functional art of the everyday that would not typically be found on the walls of a museum. The editors imagine this issue as an art object in and of itself, a tangible archive to display and return to again and again.

Oxford American has long been recognized for its unique and powerful visual elements. In 2023, the magazine was awarded the Whiting Literary Magazine Prize. The judges’ citation highlighted the visual works in our pages, stating: “Oxford American is our most adventurous and authoritative window on the South…. Drawn in by eye-catching art direction and dazzling editorial letters, readers stay to savor the unique weave of the journalistic with habit-forming fiction and vivid travel writing… Oxford American is a spring of innovation, honoring tradition while forging something new.” In addition, the Southern Art Issue continues and celebrates the OA’s Windgate Foundation-supported art coverage.

OA Art Editor, Alyssa Ortega Coppelman has worked closely with Editor Danielle Amir Jackson to curate the work in this issue. “While it’s an impossible feat to present a comprehensive take on art from and about the South, our hope is to present a broad overview of both well-known and lesser-known artists making work about the region, from a broad range of voices. Somewhat obscure subjects combine with familiar histories; we hope our readers get much from these pages,” says Coppelman.

With new work from award-winning author and contributing editor Wendy Brenner and a feature that considers the notion of “folk artists” from frequent OA contributor Holly Haworth, the issue will convey the range of Southern art and artists. 

Features will also include work by Marcus Dunn that explores the horror and complexity of Native American boarding school stories and a selection of images from Dawoud Bey that contemplate the harrowing journeys and human realities of the Virginia slave trail, Louisiana plantations, and Ohio’s Underground Railroad. As always, the work in our pages will contemplate new and old artwork and artists, as well as the emotions fueling both.

The Spring Southern Art Issue is available now for pre-order at OxfordAmericanGoods.org. It will be on select newsstands on March 19, 2024. Or, become a subscriber by visiting OxfordAmerican.org/subscribe. For wholesale and bulk orders, contact info@oxfordamerican.org or 501-374-0000. For more information, to schedule an interview with our editors, or to request a review copy, contact Kelsey White at press@oxfordamerican.org.