The special media launch at the Hotel Tower told the story - there were two media persons until a lone cameraman turned up, then another newspaperman near the end. The irony was not lost to the founding editor Ameena Gafoor, who pointed out that the media has a crucial role in the society, given the power to shape and influence public opinion that it enjoys. She recalled that the journal had its origins in the recognition that despite their import, arts and culture have not taken their place in society.

She noted the country's literary heritage as well as its artwork and said the failure to critically analyse and appreciate them would be a great loss. Added to that, she also hoped that the journal would encourage the people of the country to stop seeing themselves through the lens of a dominant culture that perpetuates stereotypes. "I am convinced that the nation needs to be awakened to a sense of itself," she said.

Gafoor noted the first three issues have been well received and the journal has been recognised as a project to fill a cultural void. To build on its success, she revealed plans for lectures and workshops as well as other activities to broaden the scope of the forum's work and interest in the arts. She mentioned plans for a lecture on a writer she described as neglected and little-known.

The fourth issue of the journal is guest-edited by Dr Gemma Robinson and features new work by Wilson Harris, Fred D'Aguiar, Vahni Capildeo and David Dabydeen. Additionally, it includes research into, among other things, publishing by Dr Anne Walmsley, and the emergence of a literary voice in the region by Dr Robinson herself. There is also a discussion on the art of Aubrey Williams, by Dr. Leon Wainwright. The cover for this issue features the work of local artist George Simon.

The next issue is to mark the 200th anniversary of the abolition of the slave trade.

Minister within the Ministry of Education Dr. Desrey Fox commended the members of the editorial board for the continuing initiative in light of the need to record the people's history and experience and to understand their identity. However, in general, she lamented the treatment of the country's literary tradition, and she said local writers and artists do not get the respect and honour that they deserve for their work.

At the same time, Dr. Fox made it clear that the focus in education is changing and in this regard she said greater emphasis is to be placed on local resources. She mentioned storytelling tents and interfacing between artists and students.

Also present at the small ceremony were University of Guyana lecturer and Dean of the Faculty of Education and Humanities, Tota Mangar as well as senior lecturers Alim Hosein and Bernadette Persaud, all of whom are members of the journal's editorial board.

The journal is printed in a limited edition. However, the Arts Forum says the journal reaches out to a target audience of students, researchers and scholars both locally and internationally. Additionally, its subscriptions include the main libraries of universities as well as a number of public libraries and private collections in Guyana, the West Indies, Canada, the USA, and the UK. It has also been circulated in India and Australia. The Forum is also looking to publish the journal online, in order to make it more accessible.

The journal is committed to writing that is lucid and free of linguistic jargon, and its accessible language has broadened its appeal to a general readership.

Added to that, it receives a steady flow of submissions, both critical and creative, from writers and scholars anxious for an avenue to publish their work.

"What is perhaps unique about this journal is that it brings fresh perspectives to our literary, artistic and cultural heritage…" it says. "It illuminates the novels we produce, the art we create, our inherent culture, and sets them in the context of our continuing post-colonial condition."