Editor’s Note: Christian Usera covered the arts for The Ann Arbor Independent. He is the Editor-in-Chief at U Magazine.

by Christian Usera

In a Post- Covid -19 world, individuals are contemplating their place in society. What are our responsibilities to others and ourselves? What kind of changes can institutions make to their systems so we can have a more egalitarian world? Ecologically, during 2020 we saw what the absence of humans did to the ecosystem, showcasing our impact on the planet we call home. Inspired by this mindset of self-reflection, a small art magazine was born, “U Magazine.”

U Magazine was founded by Christian Usera, an Ypsilanti-based artist and writer. Usera said his vision was to offer the viewing public access to more diverse voices.

“Galleries and art venues have a tendency to place more importance on a resume than an artist’s portfolio. U Magazine’s aim is to change this dynamic by putting more emphasis on the artist’s work and individual story,” said Usera.

The magazine reserves 60 percent of its content for artists of color and other marginalized groups, while the remaining 40 percent of content is open to artists of any background (Including the aforementioned groups). The premier issue featured artists from Canada, the Republic of Georgia and across the U.S. The incoming Spring/Summer edition will feature artists from Argentina, Austria and South Africa.

Usera said, “The international scope of the publication is a testament to its mission to give a spotlight to underrepresented voices.”

But why start a print magazine in a dying industry?

“There’s something about the texture of pages, the glossy illustrations and even the smell of books,” said Usera.

U Magazine is a hybrid publication with half of the artists’ work printed, while the other half is presented digitally. The illustrations are presented without filtering or watering down the work. Each issue features five artists total and in the corner of each of their illustrations, there is a link to U Magazine’s digital platform featuring the artists’ portfolios.

“Art in its most basic form is a reflection on physical reality and a statement by a species cognizant of their own mortality. Art is a universal form in which the human spirit can be manifested without words. As such every individual should at least get a shot at having their story told and an audience to listen,” explained Usera. “We’ve lived in a time where information is being processed at ever increasing rates, however we need to recognize that sometimes lesser known voices are drown out. American society has always been extolled as a beacon of personal liberty, but simultaneously the U.S., at times, ignores its responsibilities to the collective good. This publication is a small step towards reconciling this discrepancy and presenting a more complete artist’s stage.”