JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The coronavirus pandemic is threatening the local arts and cultural publication, Void Magazine.
The magazine prints about 30,000 copies a month, according to Void Editor and Chief Matt Shaw.
He tells News4Jax that the COVID-19 crisis is impacting the magazine’s ability to publish stories for the community.
“Basically over night we had all of businesses that support us to make the magazine free unable to purchase advertisement,” Shaw said.
The magazine highlights the arts and culture scene of Jacksonville, including artists like Jennifer Lail. Her work was featured in Void Magazine this year.
“It is also the cultural glue for Northeast Florida. It really helps tie us all together,” Lail said.
Lail is one of many people featured in Void Magazine who supports the publication.
The owner of the Five Points coffee shop, Brew, has also been featured in Void Magazine. Calli Marie said she was saddened to see Folio Weekly, another local magazine dissolve due to COVID 19.
“Yeah, I don’t want to see the same thing happen to Void,” Marie said.
Though Void Magazine has done well online with viewers, they don’t currently have the revenue to continue printed publications.
They are asking the public to donate money to help them get out their July issue printed.
So far, the magazine has raised 40% of its $30,000 goal.
You can donate to the Void Indiegogo campaign through this link.