Seeing in the Dark
Letter from the Editor as published in the June 2025 issue
As I prepared this issue, I couldn’t help but notice that both our featured artist and photographer independently chose to include owls in their work. Two creators, working separately, drawn to the same powerful symbol. In a magazine built on recognizing meaningful patterns and authentic voices, this felt less like coincidence and more like a message.
Owls are creatures of transition, masters of navigating the space between what was and what will be. They see clearly in darkness where others stumble, trust their instincts without hesitation, and move forward with quiet confidence. As we gear up to enter our tenth year of publication, I find myself thinking about how perfectly this symbolism speaks to where Blank Spaces stands today.
Nearly a decade ago, I recognized something that felt urgent: Canadian creatives needed a platform that valued heart over credentials, authenticity over pedigree. I stepped into what felt like darkness then—building something that industry wisdom suggested wouldn’t work. But like those owls, I learned to see in uncertain territory. I discovered that quality doesn’t require qualification, that meaningful community can grow from the smallest seeds, and that sometimes the most important work happens in the spaces others overlook.
Now, as we move toward a monumental anniversary, I feel that same sense of transition the owls embody. I’ve spent nine years learning what Blank Spaces can become when given room to grow authentically. I’ve watched writers publish their first pieces in our pages and go on to win national awards. I’ve seen artists find their voices through our community. We’ve built something that serves not just as a magazine, but as a home for creative spirits across this vast country.
The owls appearing in this issue feel like confirmation of what I’ve been sensing: it’s time to trust my instincts even more deeply. This fall, you’ll begin to see measurable steps rolling out—strategic changes that will help us plot toward some ambitious goals I have for our anniversary year. These aren’t changes born from fear or pressure, but from the kind of patient wisdom owls represent. I’ve observed, I’ve learned, and now I’m ready to move forward with purpose.
Owls are fiercely protective of what matters most to them. As I realign my own focus to give more time and energy to Blank Spaces, I’m reminded that this protective instinct isn’t just about preserving what we’ve built—it’s about nurturing what we can become. Every decision made over the next year will be filtered through one question: does this help us serve Canadian creatives in the most meaningful way possible?
The liminal space between day and night, between what was and what will be, can feel uncertain. But owls don’t fear this darkness—they thrive in it. They understand that transition isn’t about abandoning what worked; it’s about using hard-won wisdom to see new possibilities.
As you explore this issue, I invite you to consider what the owls might be saying to you as well. What transitions are you navigating? What instincts have you been too afraid to trust? Sometimes the universe places exactly the right symbols in front of us when we need them most.
Thank you for being part of this journey. The best is yet to come.
.
Alanna Rusnak
Editor in Chief, Blank Spaces
