Article by Ann Oppenhimer
To those of you who have not read the last few “Messages from the Executive Director,” I will repeat the news that this issue #116 of the Folk Art Messenger is the last one. The Folk Art Society is not taking any new members or membership renewals, but those who renewed late or sent in recent memberships will still receive three issues of the Messenger in 2025. I also reiterate that the FASA website will continue with News and the Calendar and will welcome orders of back issues of the Folk Art Messenger.
I wish to acknowledge the following contributors to the Folk Art Messenger:
First: my husband, William “Boo” Oppenhimer, who has been the constant and faithful editor, contributor, photographer, writer, advisor, and encouragement for the past 38 years. I couldn’t have done it without him.
Second: The important contributor, John Hoar, who has designed all the Folk Art Messengers since the first color issue – #38, Vol. 10, No. 2, Winter 1997. I believe that his unique, creative and expressive designs have been the reason that the Folk Art Messenger has won so many awards from the Virginia Professional Communicators and the National Federation of Press Women, including the recent First Place National Award for Folk Art Messenger #115.
Next: I have a deep and abiding appreciation for the many writers and photographers without whom the Folk Art Messenger could never have existed. I first tried to list the names of those important people, but the list was too long for anyone to read. Those writers whose articles are reprinted on the FASA website can be found there under “Articles by Writers” – but there are many, many more!
Last but not least: Katharine Gates, who continues to design and maintain the FASA website. She is appreciated and commended for her years of work on this project.
It’s a time of farewells and thanksgiving for all those who helped with a publication that has been a labor of love for Boo and me. It’s a blessing that began in 1987 and will come to an end in 2025. We would like to express our gratitude and appreciation for all those who helped make the Folk Art Messenger a joy and a warm memory.
ANN OPPENHIMER is the Executive Director of the Folk Art Society of America
As seen in the Folk Art Messenger: