No one goes into the free publication business without a serious sense of commitment, and that’s what has sustained E.P.I.C. magazine for two years.

The title is an acronym for “Empowering People, Inspiring Community.”

Publishers Lisa Byrne and Laurie Gambacorta arrived in Durango from the East Coast several years ago and saw an immediate void in the small town.

“We said ‘where is there a place for the conscious community?” Byrne said Thursday while preparing for E.P.I.C.’s second birthday party tonight at Lost Dog Bar & Lounge. The party also includes a group show of the artists who donated their works for the magazine’s bimonthly covers with music by Big Sky.

The exhibit, which serves as the monthly Lost Dog Art Spectacle, includes originals and giclees of the cover art as well as additional works by each artist. The artists are Sabrina Motta, Cheryl Foley, Jan Salerno, D.J. Webb, Alison Goss, Bradley Kachnowicz, Tim Kapustka and E.P.I.C.’s graphic designer, Amanda Ackley.

“I think if there’s one thing in common it’s that we all have a connection with the Earth,” said Kachnowicz of his fellow artists. “Except for him,” he joked, indicating a piece by his friend and graphic designer Kapustka.

E.P.I.C. serves as a clearing house for those who “work to raise the consciousness of humanity,” in the words of Byrne and Gambacorta. What does that mean, exactly? Articles in the current issue, each submitted voluntarily by equally dedicated authors, include titles such as “Are Animals Conscious?”, “Pilates: Returning to Life,” “Good Karma/Community Solutions” and “Connecting with the Divine Masculine.” Other subjects expound on recipes, nonprofit organizations, art, healing and music. The magazine exists on paid advertising but differs from many publications in that ad dollars don’t dictate content.

“It’s intellectually different because our focus is educating versus advertising,” Byrne said. “You don’t have to run an ad with us to be published. If you write an article that resonates with someone, they’ll come to you.”

ted@durangoherald.com

If you go

E.P.I.C. magazine will hold its second anniversary “We’ve Got You Covered” Art Show at 7 p.m. today with music by Big Sky at the Lost Dog Bar & Lounge, 1150 Main Ave. The show will remain on display through May. For more information, visit www.epicmag.org.