Issue link: http://papercitymagazine.uberflip.com/i/880229
letter editor STEVEN VISNEAU, SISTERBROTHER MGMT. 16 I write this month's note late on the eve of our October issue deadline, having just returned from the 2018 Nasher Prize Laureate Announcement, during which Chicago-based artist Theaster Gates was revealed as the Prize's third annual hon- oree. When describing Gates' work — and his larger social impact, commitment to community development, and his democratic vision — Nasher director Jeremy Strick needed say no more than a quote from the artist himself: "I believe beauty is a basic service." When I reflect on this month, and what went on behind the scenes of producing this issue, Gates' words take on poignant meaning. It is barely a month since Hurricane Harvey swept into Houston, leaving its tragic mark on the place and the people so many of us love. But as I am one who looks for silver linings, I'm quick to seek beauty in tragedy, and despite all the tears and heartbreak, there was beauty — and it appeared in its simplest form. People helped people; resilience and love combined. In our world of covering beautiful interiors, parties, artistic works, people, and fashion, it is often easy to get caught up in the bright, shininess of materialistic things. But this month, I take pause to re- member that true beauty is, as Theaster Gates says, a basic service. It is far more than the beautiful stories and images you'll see on these pages. Beauty, after all, is rooted in humanity: It is our natural tendency toward kindness in crisis; it is our willingness to help in times of need; it is our ability to be of service for those whose pain is greater than our own. And at PaperCity, there is much beauty in the privilege of creating a place of momentary escape, where all the chaos of the world can quiet for a moment and you lose yourself in a beautiful image or an inspiring story. This month, especially, is for you. Christina Geyer Dallas Editor in Chief christina@papercitymag.com