ART PAPERS delays hiring an editor, runs with series of guest editors

It’s been five months since the board of Atlanta-based international contemporary art publication ART PAPERS announced the departure of editor/executive director of eight years Sylvie Fortin. (Full disclosure: I interned at the Little Five Points-based pub a decade ago.) The subtext of the personnel shift was that the board was looking to nurture a stronger rapport with the local art community. Former CL contributor and ART PAPERS board member Cinque Hicks was immediately appointed interim editor. While the magazine got a new executive director (the board split up the dual position with Fortin’s departure) this summer in Saskia Benjamin, previously of the Atlanta Contemporary Art Center, it finds itself again without an editor now that Hicks’ contract has run out.

In his place, Skowhegan co-director Sarah Workneh will be stepping in as guest editor, picking up with the November/December issue. She’ll be assuming duties, however, from out of town and will be the first in a series of three guest editors. I spoke with Benjamin this morning about the board’s decision to delay the hire (the goal is to have someone in place within six months) and new directions for the magazine.