I could not be more pleased to let you know, PCA folks, that the 2026 Lynn Bartholome Eminent Scholar Recipient is the fabulous AMY HALE! She will be speaking on ‘Understanding This Golden Age of Magic’ about magic and art and popular culture and this moment in which we find ourselves. I am so delighted that her hard work is being recognised and that she is taking time out of her so-busy schedule — it probably helps that it’s in her backyard, so it’s less of an undertaking but I am dancing with happiness (well, I would be but some minor surgery yesterday is ow).

Most of you who know me will already know what a hand Amy has had in the wider recognition of the contributions of artist Ithell Colquhoun, who had a hand in both among the surrealists and a lot of occult communities. Yes, including the recent Tate exhibit. Amy has presented a lot of work on the history of magic and art intertwining, and I can’t wait to hear what she has to say in April. We’re also running a panel discussion on her game-changing essay for Burlington Contemporary, ‘Communist witches and cyborg magic: the emergence of queer, feminist, esoteric futurism’ which continues to influence the readings of magic in our culture in the midst of fascism and threatened ecological collapse.

PCA is always one of my favourite conferences: I’ve been going since early in grad school and see lots of people I don’t get to see elsewhere, like Miss Wendy of course. This year has been difficult: some folks have had to cancel for all kinds of reason from economic to fascist (I can’t say I recommend traveling to the US from abroad right now). Having Amy accept this opportunity cheers me considerably. I’m glad to support someone whose hard work is off the usual beaten track of academia (which we know is not always rewarded), and to bring such a talented speaker to my PCA colleagues. Win-win! Actually win-win-win as I get a chance to hang out with Amy.

If you haven’t had a chance to hear Amy speak, let me recommend a couple talks: