What are the qualities of a great art magazine? For us, the answer is simple: In each and every issue, the reader is inspired by new creative talent that s/he wasn't aware of before. Rather than simply reinforce the canon of "expected" (and most often, overexposed) art stars, a great art magazine takes risks and showcases artists who have yet to be recognized by the art establishment--and may never be.

The one publication that truly delivers on this promise is Juxtapoz Art & Culture Magazine. Based in San Francisco, Juxtapoz was founded in 1994 by a group of artists and collectors that included the legendary cartoonist Robert Williams. By remaining fiercely independent for over fifteen years, Juxtapoz has become one of the most influential and widely read art publications in America. And the way they've achieved this is by evolving with the times, but at the same time remaining true to their core mission of celebrating underground art that you're not likely to find in any museum or commercial art gallery. At Juxtapoz, an artist doesn't have to be famous or "recognized" before they make it into the magazine.

It was in the pages of Juxtapoz that we were first introduced to the genre of "Pop Surrealism" and many of our now favorite artists including Mark Ryden, Gary Baseman, Ron English, Todd Schorr, and Camille Rose Garcia. Today, Juxtapoz is exposing a new generation of art fans to a whole new group of artists that truly represent the "next wave" of the urban contemporary art movement: Blu, Os Gemeos, Faile, David Choe, and many others.

At a time when magazine are folding every day, we're rooting for Juxtapoz to not only survive, but to flourish.

For being a true partner to thousands of artists who would have otherwise never had had the exposure to truly succeed, we're thrilled to call Juxtapoz Character Approved.

[Image: Juxtapoz]