By Nina Johnson-Milewski, Miami Rail

Not long ago Phong Bui came to Miami with a friend who was exhibiting here and ended up giving the inaugural lecture at Lester’s. In his enthusiasm about the place he mentioned the notion of a “Miami Rail,” and there the idea was first planted. Was it possible though? In that moment it didn’t seem very likely. Little did any of us know that a few trips to New York later, and with the help of an extremely resourceful group of colleagues, it would be less than nine months to the birth of the Miami Rail. The idea was solidified when the news came in that Knight Foundation would fund our project.

Our first issue launches today, June 1’st, it is published by me, Nina Johnson-Milewski, and edited by Hunter Braithwaite. It contains a modest 12 pieces of critical writing, including an introductory letter by Bui and an essay by our first visiting writer, Patterson Sims. In addition there are reviews of art, music, and literature, one piece of poetry by Ariana Reines, along with a few essays by writers including Ruba Katrib, Gean Moreno, and P. Scott Cunningham. This issue was published on the dedication of the Miami Rail’s advisory committee, which is Matthew Abess, Phong Bui, Rose D’Amora, Christy Gast, Daniel Milewski, and Mylinh Trieu Nguyen our graphic designer, without them it’s suffice to say that Hunter and I would have made many embarrassing mistakes so we thank them in advance. Of course the Knight Foundation along with our parent organization, the Brooklyn Rail are also to be thanked, for gracing us with the kind of invested support that makes culture possible.

Please come by Lester’s tonight to pick up a hard copy, 2519 NW 2^nd Ave Miami FL 33127, 8 PM – Midnight.