About Us
The concept of BorderSenses started in the Fall of 2000 with a simple idea: We wanted to provide a platform to aspiring writers and artists from El Paso and the adjoining areas to express themselves and have them share their voices and images with the local community.
All through the preparation of our inaugural issues, most of October and November of that year, we wondered at the possibilities. Jonathan Gonzalez worked tirelessly to make a layout worthy of real recognition. Joseph Martinez and Amit Ghosh coordinated with the writers, did legwork in locating a printer that fit their limited budget, and also publicity work for the reading. It was an adventure into the world of publishing and promotion that was unfamiliar to all of them.
On a bone-chilling, cold December 1st, 2000 the editors/publishers were all amazed to have about 90 people (only 56 chairs were there!) show up to the inaugural launch of the magazine at The Bridge Center in downtown El Paso. The founders immediately knew that they were on to something.
Here are a few notable events in the life of BorderSenses that has grown substantially in a period of two years.
The Spring 2001 issue saw BorderSenses become a perfect-bound issue from its humble beginnings of being a saddle-stitched product. We add more pages and represented more artists than before.
For the expanded Fall 2001 issue, we were fortunate to have a few talented and dedicated folks work with us to make the magazine even better than before. This issue of the magazine has an expanded art section besides the usual poetry/ fiction section. For the first time, we were fortunate to have received submissions from some established artists along with fresh, new talent. UTEP MFA student, Carmen Seda and some students of the non-profit AVANCE (thanks to supporter Antonio Garza) helped us with the layout of the magazine. UTEP graphic artist, Pepe Contreras designed the cover of our enduring magazine. UTEP Webmaster Tony Barrio created a website for the magazine. UTEP friends, Judith Fourzan and Nancy Wilson helped the magazine with correspondence and publicity.
Spring 2002 saw Rubi Orozco join us with her creativity. She has become a major force in our endeavor to making BorderSenses even better than before. She is our editor for the Fall 2002 issue.
The El Paso Community Foundation has kindly recognized our community work by giving us two grants to help defray the cost of printing the third and the fourth issue. We owe a debt of gratitude to them for all their support.
BorderSenses continues to grow and a growing child needs a lot of love from a host of uncles and aunts. So we invite you all join us as and the artists and read from our cherished magazine. More importantly, pass the magazine on to a friend and family and let us all come together around the creative energy we have around us.
If you have any questions about this event or the magazine, please call Amit K. Ghosh at (915) 533-2295 or by email at info@bordersenses.com. |
