The Falcon   |   Volume 81, Issue 26

Published 6/02/10   |   Log In

Lingua unveils latest journal to SPU

Students line up to purchase the art journals. A laptop stood close by with online payment set up.
Photo credit: PERRY AZEVEDO/The Falcon.

Publication offers medium for poets, artists on campus

By AMBER JIMENEZ, Features Writer

Published: May 26, 2010

Over 150 students, alumni and community members crowded into a packed SUB Collegium, occupying all available couches and chairs as others sat on the floor or stood attentively while student contributors of "Lingua: Journal of the Arts 2010" shared their poetry, stories and music alongside visual displays of artwork during the Lingua Journal Unveiling.

Bound with twine, dozens of freshly pressed copies of the journal debuted at the event. Writers, poets and musicians showcased live performances and readings from the journal and the music CD that came with it.

Before the unveiling party opened its doors, Lingua laid out several bundles of Journals and prepped the final decorations. Photo credit: PERRY AZEVEDO/The Falcon.

"We truly exist to promote, support and show the work of students while providing an outlet for students who are not art, music or English majors to still be involved in the arts if they so desire," said junior Alexie Hoffman, Lingua visual director.

The Lingua Journal presents SPU students from all disciplines the opportunity to showcase their work alongside their creative peers, said senior Thomas Castle, Lingua editor in chief.

"Lingua is not connected to a particular department; the journal allows students from all corners of campus to participate together in the arts," Castle said. "They can submit original short stories, poetry, photography and music for publication."

Junior Emily Lowenberg submitted a photo of the last piece in an instillation series she created. The photo "Be Still," which is featured in the journal, included 15 spray paintings hung from cords in front of a bed sheet illuminated by fluorescent lights. Although the submission was a part of a larger creative narrative, Lowenberg appreciated the opportunity to feature her work and was encouraged by the large turnout of the event, she said.

"Being published for the first time alongside my friends is awesome," Lowenberg said. "It's a good first step toward putting yourself and your work out there."

Sophomore Daniel Caldwell credits the journal with providing students with creative outlets that extend beyond musical expression, allowing other realms of creativity to be included, too.

"People should be aware and have access to what their peers are creating -- whether it is their poetry, music or artwork," Caldwell said. His six minute composition "What I Kept, I Lost," is featured on the Lingua music CD, alongside student bands Sea Fever, Friends and Family as well as student musicians including senior Luke Dietz and junior Brian Hibbard.

Senior Tyler Eide performs Wednesday for the Lingua Unveiling. Photo credit: PERRY AZEVEDO/The Falcon.

The journal did not restrict its entries to featuring only student submissions. Doug Thorpe, Lingua faculty adviser and professor of English, submitted and read aloud "Some Beauty," a poem he wrote following his 20-day visit to Jerusalem in December 2008.

While traveling abroad, Thorpe learned that back home, his brother had suffered a fatal stroke. Motivated by a series of reflections and musings from that period of his life, he composed the poem in February 2009 in memory of his brother.

After noticing the covers were printed on glossy paper, Lingua staff agreed to coat the journals with matte gel medium, Hoffman said.

"We couldn't stomach the idea of going down in Lingua history as the 'glossy cover kids,' so we decided to embark on the tedious process," Hoffman said.

Of the 130 journals that were printed and coated over, 56 were reserved for presale orders and about 30 were sold throughout the event.

"Selling over double the amount of journals than last year is a testament to the increased awareness and appreciation of Lingua this year," Castle said.

"I felt like the journal is more of a legitimate enterprise than last year since students are more aware of it as a resource," sophomore Nathan Knapp said. "It was publicized better, it looks like a quality publication and it is definitely a quality read."

Senior Marissa Maharaj not only served on the Visual Arts and Music Editorial Boards, but she also had her photography and music work included in the journal.

"I'm really jazzed about the increased availability students have to publish work that they're proud of," Maharaj said, adding that she is grateful to be a part of a network of students who are growing and exploring their art forms together.

"Because there are only three of us we are able to create a really cool dynamic under which Lingua functions," Castle said. The organization's unincorporated and do-it-yourself approach and attitude enable the success of their efforts on campus, he said.

Throughout the year, Lingua published a free, quarterly zine which featured student artwork, short stories and poems. They also included a free digital copy for download on their Web site (http://linguajournal.com).

"This year, we wanted Lingua to be more than just an arts journal that pops up at the end of the year," Castle said. "We wanted to be an art resource for all students throughout the year."

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