Lola, the quarterly, Toronto-based visual-arts magazine, is ceasing publication after seven years, it was announced yesterday.
Although popular with readers, Lola never developed a strong advertising base. "Indie publishing is a tough but lovable business,'' said co-founder and editor Catherine Osborne, "and you can find yourself moving toward an extended, low-grade burnout over the years, which I think is what I've been feeling for the past two.''
Saying goodbye is pretty hard, said co-founder and art director Sally McKay. "But seven years feels like enough."
"It's been a great couple of years for me, and it's sad to let it go," said publisher Sharon Salson Gregg. "Sustaining [our]momentum would have required much greater financial resources, more than we had. We thought it preferable to end on a high note."
Founded in 1997, Lola showcased the work of more than 1,000 artists and writers in the 16 issues it published. Staff