Cameron Ward, standing, and Natassja Santistevan are the creators of Iconica Magazine, a new publication that focuses on New Mexican lifestyle and art. (Courtesy of ICONICA Magazine)
New Mexico culture is an iconic brand unto itself, aptly exemplified through the struggles, perseverance, and eclectic minds of creatives.
Cameron Ward and Natassja Santistevan aim to promote cultural innovation in the state through their new magazine, Iconica.
Ward said, “Our goal for the magazine is not only to be a platform for people to showcase their work, but also a platform to expand their connections.”
The publication focuses on modern lifestyles, presenting the imperceptible world of fashion, the perspective of artists and photographers, and the underground cadence of local musicians.
Even wordmakers can share their poetry, and Ward and Santistevan are open to expanding the art forms that can be featured.
Said Santistevan, “We’re talking to spray painters, we’re talking to tattoo artists, we’re talking to DJs who have been here a long time, because that’s the architecture of Albuquerque.”
They have also been exploring cities beyond Albuquerque to uncover more representations of the state’s niche lifestyle, including Native American influence.
Ward added, “We’ve been traveling to Santa Fe a lot, and that’s where we’re getting…a lot of culture.”
Creating Iconica
Ward grew up in Isleta and shared that her grandmother was a fashion designer in a more traditional sense. She discovered a deep admiration for the arts and crafts, from her own creations to writing about other artists, which ultimately integrated her into the Albuquerque scene.
Through his network he met Santistevan, and the desire to start a magazine was mutual and almost immediate. The two decided to start their journey in a competitive and unapologetic industry.
Cameron Ward, left, and Natassja Santistevan are open to most artistic submissions for their new publication, Iconica Magazine. (Courtesy of ICONICA Magazine)
Ward said, “We were like, no expectations, let’s go in blind, and it was actually really good.”
They were both hardened and motivated by their past experiences. Santistevan received a similar grandmotherly influence and was placed in sewing classes when she was a child. However, Santistevan was removed from the office by her colleagues.
“I stopped sewing after I was bullied,” explained Santistevan. “I was wearing what I was doing in school…so after that, I just stopped, but I kept using fashion to express myself.”
Santistevan began curating events while in college and building a network, eventually colliding with Ward’s path.
Iconica was formed, going from a brainstorm to a warm copy of the printer, grasped by the hands of the creators. Each possesses their own strengths, allowing their partnership to be balanced, and their correlative passion for culture and crafts helps drive the publication forward.
Ward said, “We have to push each other… pushing each other is a very important role that you have to play.”
Santistevan added: “We are like our own bosses, but also the bosses of others.”
the art community
The two boasted about the inspiration they receive from the art community, expressing their gratitude to the various sponsors they have partnered with and mentors who are already established in the medium. From graphic designers to social media gurus, photographers, makeup artists and models.
Santistevan said, “Having those people that we can ask questions and support each other is definitely something that, for any artist, is very important.”
His willingness to learn has been evident in his coverage. Iconica features the local fashion scene highlighted by seasonal style, expressive art galleries and photos, profiles of musicians gracing venues across the state, and poetry destined to stay on readers’ minds.
Iconica offers a behind-the-scenes look at modern lifestyle and culture, influencing audiences and inspiring other creators at the same time.
However, the development of the magazine remains a constant learning process. Ward and Santistevan admitted that they had difficulty understanding the variables of the production, from the navigation software to the design format and sponsor management.
However, Ward and Santistevan are becoming increasingly comfortable with all aspects of the operation.
Ward said of the process: “It’s like building the brand as you go. Like the people of Albuquerque, we are always evolving and growing.”
You have already seen the development in the early years of the magazine’s life. The release of each issue is complemented by an event, where they can not only build their brand, but also connect artists with each other.
From the first launch party to the second, attendance nearly tripled, according to Ward and Santistevan. They are already preparing to reserve an even bigger spot for the third launch.
Showing the brand
Iconica is a quarterly publication and its next issue will be released in November. The events and themes will deliberately stray from the standard, offering a new experience as there is a huge world of emerging artists ready for the exhibition.
“We want to showcase these people because it requires a lot of commitment,” Santistevan said.
Cameron Ward, left on the ground, photographs a model wearing Vintage Avengers. (Courtesy of ICONICA Magazine)
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Iconica not only showcases the talent of local creators, but also fosters camaraderie in the art community.
“We can’t really just use each other as ladders and then move on,” Ward said. “We grow together.”
The Iconica expansion is a goal for Ward and Santistevan. They plan to continue building the magazine, eventually bringing attention to New Mexico in larger markets.
“What’s really important is that we want it to continue to be about New Mexico,” Santistevan said. “We’re just trying to get eyes on this place.”
New Mexico is as unique as the artists who express the style and creativity of the culture, whether through fashion, photography, music, or art. It is a brand earned through hard work. It’s iconic.
Source: www.abqjournal.com