Every newspaper makes mistakes, but how many newspapers make the same mistake - twice - including once in 3-D?

We did.

For the last two years the Weekly Volcano named Tacoma artist Jerry Managan "Best Visual Artist" in our Best of Tacoma issues, the last Best of Tacoma, of course, in spectacular 3-D. The only problem is Tacoma artist Jerry Managan doesn't exist. We meant to print "Tacoma artist Jeremy Mangan," a man of extraordinary talent who is well-deserving of the award.

Embarrassing, to say the least.

Weekly Volcano Editor Matt Driscoll recently had an email dialogue with M.a.n.g.a.n. to, once again, express our sincere apologies and to discover what's on the artist's easel.

WEEKLY VOLCANO: First of all, who is this Jerry Managan character I keep hearing about? He seems sketchy. But he's also won a lot of awards. ...

JEREMY MANGAN: I'm not sure myself. I thought he went away last year, then he came back.  Hopefully this is the last of him.  But if I do see him around I'm going to make fun of his hair.

VOLCANO: Seriously, though, we're really sorry we did that. We were high. And we're actually caged monkeys. Can you ever forgive us?

MANGAN: I can, for a large bag of cash. Or a good-natured correction in the next issue. Either one. 

VOLCANO: What's new since the very successful and much talked about Build to Suit show at Fulcrum? It garnered rave reviews around town. Were you pleased?

MANGAN: My show at Fulcrum was fantastic. A big thanks to Oliver (Doriss) for his professionalism and easy-going personality. The next thing for me is a solo show at Linda Hodges Gallery in Seattle in January.

VOLCANO: The previous question can no doubt lead us into some in-depth analysis of artist-hood in Tacoma. Avoiding the usual pratfalls, what do you have to say about this place when other artists ask? As an artist, do you feel fostered here? Does it matter?

MANGAN: Of course every place has its pros and cons. For me, right now, it's about the space and the time to make the work, and then the opportunities to get it out there. Does Tacoma offer those things? Absolutely. I've been fortunate, also, in that I've met a lot of great people in the Tacoma art scene who have been more than willing to help me out however they could. I'm very grateful for that. So yes, I do feel fostered, and I also like to think I've worked really hard to get here. I think both of those things are vital.

VOLCANO: In the past you've mentioned the influence early American West building practices have had on your work - can you expound on that a little? Is it a subconscious influence, or is it a direction you've gone purposefully? How do you explain the appeal?

MANGAN: Both. I grew up fairly rural and spent a good amount of time in old barns and such.  Plus my dad is a homebuilder, so there's something about building and the implications of inner spaces based on outer appearances. I like how these old weathered structures were built with no real aesthetic considerations, yet they're beautiful anyway. To me they possess a definite charm and dignity, but also a haunting mysteriousness and a bit of melancholy. It's a great starting point.

VOLCANO: Oliver Doriss has said you're going places. Where might you be going? What are you expecting from the journey?

MANGAN: Hopefully somewhere with health insurance.  Apart from that, it's been a good run and I hope it continues. So for the foreseeable future I'll be in my studio in Fife doing everything I can to keep it rolling.

VOLCANO: Thanks again, Jeremy. And sorry, again. I promise we'll spell your name correctly this time around.

LINK: Jeremy Mangan's website