A Letter From The Editors

Flashback to fall of 2020, when the pandemic was hitting hard and the cabin fever was high. A collective of Ottawa-based creatives who missed the arts and culture scene—the events as much as the conversations surrounding them—decided to meet weekly through Zoom calls and see what they could do about it. Some of us loved tarot culture while others created zines. Some of us were painters, illustrators, graphic designers, and creative writers. Some of us were anime watchers and D&D players. But none of us had a Zoom account, so our meetings never lasted more than 45 minutes.

Through our weekly meetings and countless Instagram DMs we’ve breathed life into an entity by creatives and for creatives: We’ve recounted conversations with varying creatives across a multitude of mediums, learning what inspires them and how they go about their respective practices; we’ve put a spotlight on fun and interesting events that have existed in the digital and physical planes of existence; we want to contribute to Ottawa’s cultural sphere and see it thrive. What you are reading now marks our takeoff in print publication! All this from a team of passionate people who have been brought closer together through a love of the arts, despite never having met as a team in real life. 

Why? Because throughout the countless waves of lockdowns, it only made sense to unite as a group of people who were sick and tired of losing IRL experiences, watching as our beloved community spaces were forced to close down forever. Because we are a group of people whose reaction to these strange and wearying times is a desire to rebuild and reconnect. It just felt right. 

Our lives are slowly returning to their usual tempo. Here we are, getting vaccinated and reuniting, not afraid to circulate print copies of our work… our only concern being that people might have forgotten how to hold a newspaper. As we bounce back from the pandemic, we’re reminded of how times of desperation, as awful as they can be, tend to bring people together. So don’t lose hope. Get vaccinated and get out there! Become inspired. Wear your mask, but also give yourself opportunities to be nosy, breathe in the fresh air, and smell the flowers.

Sincerely,

The Nosy Mag Team

Willem, Atticus, Sarah, Alexia, Megan, Spencer, Emily, and Hope