I know what you’re thinking right now: “Hey, didn’t that guy leave?” The answer might surprise you. Well, kinda. Maybe. 

Much like Frosty the Snowman, I was destined to return next year. I stepped down as editor-in-chief and assisted where needed for the last two issues. Meanwhile Julia Trupp, my handpicked heir, totally killed it. So much so that when it came time for me to step up and take over again, I kept her onboard. Think of us like the mid-90s Dallas Cowboys. She’s Jimmy Johnson and I’m Jerry Jones, only I look far less like a Sith Lord.

It feels good to be back. Things won’t be changing all that much. We’ll still be covering all you love about the arts in Arkansas and I’ll still be wearing weird hats. And oh yeah, the Black Apple Awards are coming back—November 15 at the new TheatreSquared in Fayetteville. This is gonna be the best yet, so stay tuned for more to come.

A special thanks to Arkansas Arts & Fashion Forum for serving as the parent organization for The Idle Class over the last year. I appreciate all that Robin and Suzannah did for us. And a big freaking thank you to our editor-in-chief Julia Trupp for being someone I can trust to get the job done. 

Y’all get ready. Good things are coming.

Kody Ford

Founder & Publisher