ANNA WEBBER
Staff Writer
Pepperdine’s ‘Expressionists’ magazine is searching for creative students to submit work for publication. Deadline for submissions is Jan. 31.
“We encourage both amateurs and refined writers and artists to submit their work,” editor Katrian Spencer said. “It is our intention, as with any acclaimed publication, to put all submissions through a competitive process of review that involves both students and faculty. Only works that survive the reviewing process will appear in the final edition of this year’s ‘Expressionists’ magazine,” senior ‘Expressionists’ editor Katrina Spencer said.
Spencer said all artwork should be adaptable to black and white.
‘Expressionists’ is a literary magazine dedicated to publishing poetry, short fiction, essays and visual art (photography, word art, digital images, etc.) from students, faculty, staff and other members of the Pepperdine community.
According to Spencer, the magazine is in its 30th year of publication and the staff is glad to have the ‘Expressionists’ up and running again. For that reason, the coming issue will be a dual edition with cover art that commemorates much of what has happened in our world between Fall 2004 and Spring 2006.
The theme, specifically for the cover, is “East Meets West” in remembrance of the tsunamis overseas and the domestic hurricanes.
Submissions are not restricted to artwork, written or visual, that is in anyway related to either world event.
According to creative writing professor Courtenay Stallings, ‘Expressionists’ advisor, there have been some obstacles in the publication of “Expressionists”.
The creative writing major officially moved to the Humanities Division, and Dr. Michael Collings, head of the creative writing major for more than 20 years, retired this year. Dr. Collings served as faculty advisor for the ‘Expressionists’ alongside Dr. Michael Ditmore of the English department for many years.
Collings was an excellent poet in his own right and a very prolific published writer, Stallings said.
“The magazine is also going to be dedicated to Dr. Collings for his leadership of ‘Expressionists’ and the Creative Writing major for over two decades,” Stallings said. “Many students were affected by Dr. Collings’ retirement. He was a timeless mentor and tremendous supporter of writers and ‘Expressionists.’”
One of the largest obstacles that prevented the publication is student involvement.
“With more student participation, we can more readily guarantee a second coffeehouse poetry reading for the month of February,” Spencer said.
The coffeehouse event allows students to showcase their own poetry, and to hear the work of their peers read aloud. Last November, the coffeehouse was held in the HAWC. Participants read poetry by candlelight and gave out prizes for the best works and performances.
For events like these, ‘Expressionists’ is also looking for students who can work audio, students who can decorate and set the ambiance and shoppers for all the free treats and gift certificates given out through the night.
Students can either volunteer to help or enroll for academic credit by taking a JOUR 251 or JOUR 351 course, headed by Stallings.
Staff and students are planning to hold the “Expressionists” culminating gala in the Weisman museum at the end of the year.
“Poetry, fiction and art are all forms of media that celebrate God; invoke spirituality; demand academic excellence; and pursue truth relentlessly,” Stallings said.
Those interested in competing to have their original design featured as the cover should send their work as an attachment to Expressionists056@yahoo.com.
If there are students who would like to become involved in the publication or coffeehouse, they are encouraged to contact Stallings at Courtenay.Stallings@pepperdine.edu or ext. 6006.
01-26-2006