Publication tends to bring good artists to the fore.
It shines light on a previously hidden figures. It points to a source of intrigue and enchantment we would not find on our own. And, for the artist, publication is the biggest sign that they are going places and opens the door for an acclaimed future.
This will be the case when the Quilt publishes its annual literary and arts journal, due out at the end of April. Over 100 pages of poetry, short stories, pictures and dramatic works are expected to be in the journal. Last year, over 65 entries were featured.
“There are two parts to the Quilt: the publication and the organization,” says Secretary of the Quilt Heather Goode. “Our first priority is publishing the magazine.”
The cover of this year’s journal will feature another piece from Christa Kreimendahl.
Last year, her cover art was an oil painting titled “La Cubana.” This year her piece is called “On Top.”
The journal cover is given to the winner of the Art and Photography division of the Quilt fine arts competition.
Goode explained the process of how the journal is put together.
“The publication is entirely student-run and the content is generated by students at UT,” she said. “Decisions about the final product are made by the students.”
The Quilt began at UT in 1978. Its first editor was Brad Black and that year, it published its first literary magazine. A record of every Quilt magazine is kept in the Quilt office on the second floor of the Vaughn Center. Goode took time to reflect on the current state of the Quilt.
“The [Quilt] organization plans and hosts events that focus on creativity, such as Open Mics and writing workshops,” she said. “Coffeehouse weekend is our biggest event of the year. Each year we invite a different author or poet to give a reading of his or her work and this is also part of the Writers at the University Series.”
Adrienne Nadeau, a member of the organization for two years, talked about the presence of the Quilt as a group on campus.
“Quilt is the main overtly artistic journal on campus,” she said. “It features all artistic work. It is diverse and there is a lot they do. All the people there at Quilt are my friends.”
Nadeau, the former secretary and assistant editor of Quilt, went on to say the organization has branched out its publicity efforts to include flyers on campus and a Facebook group.
Goode was quick to agree on the level of cooperation that exists at Quilt.
“I’m friends with the members,” she said. “We have the same interests and the same creative minds. Art appreciation is a really important value for me.”
Goode wanted to make one final comment. “Quilt is not just for people who want to be writers,” she said. “Any one who appreciates creativity can get involved. It is more a social network, a community. It’s like a support group for people to meet people who are into fine arts.”
Interested persons can contact Goode at hgoode@ut.edu or Editor-in-Chief Chris Janus at cjanus@ut.edu.