This spring has brought some strong and cold weather, but also freshness to the city of New Orleans: blossoming flowers and burgeoning trees have erupted across the sidewalks, the slow of winter on much of the city’s life has begun to thaw, and the latest edition of UMBRA has been published.
Romantically for the season, this release has seen massive changes in how UMBRA works— and what could be seen as a new identity for the magazine has emerged. Along with a launch party, this issue of UMBRA brought with it the chance to sell shirts and tote bags, a feat which the magazine could only dream of before. Our production of pins has also been rerouted in-house, meaning that truly everything we have put forth this release has been the fruits of our hands, labor, and love.
Ultimately, with this edition, we have strengthened the integration of live performances into our releases and presence. UMBRA has become a collection no longer limited to a digital format, but has cultivated its most fulfilling form as a combination of physical and digital release: it has been allowed to fully bloom.
But just as new things blossom, some old things pass on. This release will be the last of some of the oldest members of the team, two senior editors who got the chance to start early in their sophomore year. We would like to address you, the reader, in our final letter, and say thank you: thank you for reading UMBRA, thank you for giving us the opportunity to have this magazine, to be a part of something creative, unique, and totally empowering. From our first, early start, days on the editorial team, we have felt nothing but pride and happiness in getting to provide to our readers something like UMBRA, and appreciate the chance you have given us to do so.
