Today's blog comes from Candace Weir, Central Library staff:

There are many reasons to love UPPERCASE, one of our newest magazine additions. Let’s name two for starters. The magazine is Calgary based with its head office two blocks away from the Central Library in Arts Central. It’s great to support local initiative while celebrating creativity on a global level which for me is reason number two. Contributors to UPPERCASE come from all parts of the globe.

Its mission statement calls it “a magazine for the creative and curious”. What a mission! They have produced 13 editions and to judge from the issue that I have in hand, it is mission accomplished.

I am reading issue 12 where the theme is the love of paper. The articles tend to be quick reads with web links so that you can further explore anything that catches your fancy. You may find, like me, that a great deal of the content does.

The layout is very catchy, with loads of pictures interspersed with text set with various types, from standard computer font to old fashioned typewriter font. Much of the content pays homage to the fast-vanishing world of print.

While it may surprise some people, I find that paper appears to be going nowhere fast. A world of paper worshippers exists. Institutions discard their print and artists make igloos, home decorations and sculpture out of it. Take a look at this link for a smattering of possibilities.

Pages 54 – 56 have a great little article by an urban-sketcher, Sigrid Albert, who lives in Vancouver. Interested? See my last blog on the Art of Urban Sketching for a great new book and website.

An ever-so-short article on the NYC Library is full of images and an impressionist snippet that ends, “Although we didn’t leave with any borrowed books, we left with an excess of inspiration.” I always feel this way about libraries. They have been a source of inspiration since I was a kid and that was a while ago.

This is not a magazine that circulates (yet), so have a look, make notes or get your own subscription. I probably will. While you decide, grab a chair and immerse yourself in a world of ideas.

-Candace

Jane's Two Cents: Don't you just love that fabulous pigeon on the cover? The UPPERCASE website makes a visit to the studio of the artist, Anne Smith, who drew the illustration.