By Sarrah Peters
News Editors
Gadsden State Community College students have been hard at work putting together The Cardinal Arts Journal, or CAJ.
The journal was an idea of Dr. Leslie Worthington, Gadsden State’s Dean of Academic Programs and Services. She mentioned the idea of a publication when she hired Tabitha Bozeman.
Bozeman made the idea of a journal a reality by making it a part of her creative writing class.
“I think it is a good learning experience,” said Bozeman.
Students were put in charge of writing public service announcements to get the word out about submitting works, selecting artwork and pieces, editing and layout.
To inspire the students, Bozeman invited writers Irene Latham, William Thornton and Alicia Clavell to speak to her students. The speakers spoke not only about writing, but also about putting together online and print publication and self-publishing.
Between the fall and spring semester creative writing classes, about 20 students worked to make the journal a success.
The first issue will be available at the end of May in Bevill Hall and the Cardinal Writing Center in Meadows Library on the Gadsden State Community College campus.
The Cardinal Arts Journal features artwork, photography, creative non-fiction, fiction and poetry. About 50 people submitted art and writing, some submitting several pieces. Faculty, students and members of the community submitted to the journal.
As a requirement of the class, students had to submit their work to a publication, to learn how easy it can be to submit.
The journals are themed, and the issue that is set to be released features the theme “home.” Next year’s publication theme will be “listen.” The students also choose a winner to be honored in the issue and invited to read or explain their submission at the Cardinal Arts Journal breakout reading.
“People should submit because all of the voices in our community and school deserve to be heard,” said Bozeman.
To submit to the Cardinal Arts Journal or for more information, email cardinalartsjournal@gadsdenstate.edu.