Persona, UA’s undergraduate magazine of art and literature, is releasing this year’s publication Thursday, April 21st at the Poetry Center. The publication, which includes poetry, fiction, nonfiction, interviews, and 2 and 3 dimensional artwork, has been selected by more than 50 staff members, which is possibly the largest number Persona has ever had.
Editor-in-Chief, Alexandra Leever, a business management and creative writing senior, gives us the scoop on the upcoming release. She said Tthe 33rd issue marks a special year for Persona. ” In honor of the Poetry Center’s 50th anniversary, we have included pieces from Hattie Lockett winners and the Poetry Joeys. ” Leever said. The Hattie Lockett Award is a scholarship given through the Poetry center to seniors to honor the poet Hattie Greene Lockett, a former president of the Arizona League of American Pen Women. Each of the three winners has one poem published in this year’s issue. Two students from the Poetry Joey’s, a reading and writing activity group for 4-12 year olds, have short stories published as well. It is a tradition they hope to keep and expand on in years to follow. “Additionally, we’ve published a few interviews from artists and authors. I think this allows for an even more intimate reading experience,” Leever explains.
As for the content of this year’s publication, the talent is going to blow you away. Leever said, the pieces published in the issue are not only solid pieces of writing, but so unique that it would be difficult to choose one as a favorite. And that’s just coming from a literary standpoint, she added. ” The art selections published this year are possibly the best Personahas ever seen.”
The release, happening this Thursday, is an exciting experience, where the undergraduate community can come together to celebrate their peers by hearing artists talk about their work and listening to author’s read their pieces. The public event starts and 8 p.m., the artists, authors and their friends and family are asked to be there at 7p.m.
Those who attend the event, have the option to purchase a copy for $8. Additional copies will be sold for $10 either on campus the week of April 25th, either on the mall, in front of Modern Languages, or in the art quad. Or you can always purchase a copy from the English Undergraduate Office (ML 450) until the end of the semester.
With a very diverse staff, readers can expect a wide variety of work. “We always like pieces that push the norm,” Leever says. “Yet at the same time, we have a definite respect for the traditional.”
This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Arizona chapter.