Publisher's Letter - October 2026

By: Amelia Frazier Theobald

Dear Louisville Voices & Readers,

When words fail, and the world becomes unbearable, art gives the soul a place to rest and the mind a reason to endure. Art has always been, and will always be, a place for me to retreat to, and I believe so many others feel the same way. Art is not merely an expression of life; sometimes, it is the very thing that allows us to survive it.

To witness the Louisville Ballet is to experience generations of beauty, movement, endurance, perseverance, and strength passed from one artist to the next. From ballet’s earliest performances in France over 445 years ago (Le Ballet Comique de la Reine, first performed in 1581) to the modern stage, its legacy continues to inspire. I could not be more honored to celebrate the Louisville Ballet’s 75th anniversary and the extraordinary artistry that brings centuries of tradition to life.

As the Speed Art Museum approaches its 100th anniversary, I could not be more excited to bring these two extraordinary institutions together to bring our front cover to life and showcase what art brings to our everyday lives.

Thank you to our artists, Anna Ford and Elizabeth Pemberton, for being so open-minded when I mentioned that we were probably going to leave the Speed Art Museum completely soaking wet, and for trusting the creative process! You all are the best! 

I also want to thank the Louisville Ballet’s new Executive Director, Felicia Swoope, and the Speed Art Museum’s new Director, Kathleen Jameson, for allowing my team to come in and demonstrate that collaboration is not only key but essential to Louisville’s creative process.

I deeply look forward to getting to know you both better and cannot wait to see what future collaborations are in store for your organizations.

I believe it is more important now than ever for the arts to come together, inspire one another, and reach new heights. You both also have incredible teams that help make magic like this happen every day, so thank you to all as well. 

Now for this month's volume…. Please explore… and learn more about our artistic community.

To the Many Voices of Louisville, you have one.