Driftless is a ad-free, independent magazine about food, art, and adventuring in the Midwest. From 2014 through 2020, we’ve introduced our readers to the creative and awe-inspiring wonders the Midwest has to offer by way of stories, illustrations, photos, interviews, and recipes. Our 100-page, full color, perfect-bound print magazine was printed biannually and still to this day provides tangible proof that the Midwest is more than merely flyover territory. Read more about each of our magazines in our online shop!

Our interests lie in exploring the world around us, cooking with fresh, wholesome ingredients, slowing down to fully take in our surroundings and spending time with those who mean the most to us. We love trying new things, eating locally, sharing the wonders of our own backyards and keeping family traditions alive in new and interesting ways. We are hardworking, kind, resourceful and down-to-earth. We are always inspired by the Great Lakes. We are a cultural crossroads — we are the Midwest.

Driftless is created by two dedicated women with backgrounds in photography, fine art, graphic design, and journalism. Leah is a freelance photographer and assistant working in Chicago's commercial photography industry. Anna is a photographer and filmmaker in Bloomington, Indiana. We strive to deliver the most aesthetically pleasing and visually intriguing work based on our love for simple design and beautiful imagery. We have a tendency to favor a minimalist approach and believe that print publications are works of art in themselves. We aim to create timeless objects that deserve to be held onto for years after their time.

With a love for all things food, art, and adventure related, the two of us continue to showcase what the Midwest has to offer throughout the pages of each issue. Please continue following along with us on this journey. We would not be where we are today without the incredible support of our readers. And this magazine would have never come into existence if it wasn’t for Shelly Westerhausen, who had the idea to start Driftless in the first place.

As seen in:
Reader's Radar
WFIU Podcast Interview
Limestone Post
Foxtail + Moss: 5 Favorite Magazines

SPONSORS

We would like to extend our sincerest thanks and gratitude to the following people, for without whose contributions and donations to Driftless, this would not be possible.

Eleanor Hartley
Elizabeth Bockstiegel
Emily Fithian
Emily Knies
Gabrielle Gonzalez
George Fry
Glen Furr
Hannah Carlen
Hannah Thompson
Ian K Breidenbach
Jan Davis
Janet Latchford
Jason Cooper
Jason Lukas
Jennifer Caputo
Jessica H Newlin
Jill Schaffer
Joan Pike
John Fithian
Jordyn Kleemann
Joseph Cogswell
Julia Fetahagic
Katie Sowder
Kelly E Dwyer
Kristen Cattel

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