OLY ARTS announces the departure of long-term managing editor Christian “Carv” Carvajal, who served as the publication’s founding editor. Carvajal leaves a healthy, vibrant and well-regarded publication for a full-time position in communications management.
Publisher Ned Hayes stated: “OLY ARTS readership will miss Carv’s insightful editorial skill, and I will miss my right-hand man who executed brilliantly on a shared vision of a megaphone for the arts in the South Sound. Carv goes to his next role with all our best wishes and with our sincere gratitude.”
For his part, Carvajal indicated he relished his time as managing editor. “I truly enjoyed working with the staff and freelancers, and profoundly appreciate the opportunity to bring such an amazing publication to birth. I wish you continued success in the future.”
As the founding editor of the South Sound’s premiere arts and culture publication, Carvajal began in early 2016 by creating a first-draft template. He subsequently created both the content plan for each issue and personally edited every article that appeared online and in print. He also served as OLY ARTS‘ resident podcast editor and managed a capable team of freelance writers and distributors. Carv also sold the initial advertising for the publication and brought into the fold a number of writers who still contribute work for the publication.
Under his supervision, OLY ARTS produced eight print issues for over 120,000 printed copies readers across the South Sound. Articles edited by Carvajal garnered over 70,000 online readers for OlyArts.com. OLY ARTS also produced a daily podcast with an audience of thousands per month. Each podcast episode was edited by Carvajal.
Hayes compares the editor’s work to a jack-of-all-trades: “Carv was the general contractor, the bulldozer and the carpenter who built this building. OLY ARTS stands here today because of Carv’s hard work, and I’m glad he has this legacy to build upon in his future endeavors.”
OLY ARTS is now the most successful semi-monthly arts magazine in Washington state, with plans to continue to publish new print issues six times a year. It will also publish new content, calendar events, podcasts and mobile stories on its successful and well-trafficked websites.
Carvajal will remain on the publication’s masthead as “editor emeritus” and will be engaged for special projects for the publication he helped found. His byline will continue to be seen regularly in both the print and online editions.
The publication plans to have Hayes temporarily fill the role of managing editor and delegate other tasks to freelance copyeditors and content editors. Hayes can be reached at editor@olyarts.com as well as publisher@olyarts.com beginning with OLY ARTS‘ holiday edition.