By Hannah Doolin
Chances are, you’ve seen a small, black book with an art piece on the cover, titled The Review laying around campus. But, what is it? The Review is a collection of artistic expression ranging from poetry, art, photography, prose, and fiction that is annually published by Southern Virginia University.
This year’s newest edition (Volume III, Issue 2) has not been as scattered across campus as previous editions. The reason for this is that you already have it! If you grab your iPad and go to the Apple Books app, you will see The Review!
Interview with Benjamin Simpson, editor and contributor
Why was The Review published on Apple Books this year?
“It was Professor Hufford’s decision to publish it in Apple Books, but it was partially because we decided to make fewer paper copies. We wanted to make it more accessible to all, and so publishing it straight to the iPads was a great choice in making it easy for students to access once they heard about it. We want more of our students to read it and become interested in what their fellow students are doing art-wise, and maybe be more motivated to get involved themselves!”
What was your experience like as an editor?
“As far as my own experience as editor goes, it was definitely a joy to work with Professor Hufford. She is always so invested in the success of her students, and very encouraging for those who are trying to hone their craft. She’s patient and kind, and always ready to help. SVU is lucky to have her.”
“My favorite part of being an editor for The Review was actually encouraging individual students to submit for publication! Some students were hesitant to share their talents, and worried they weren’t good enough, but everyone I talked to was glad they submitted something! I actually had a lot of fun being involved in the Creative Writing program as a whole, though I’m a Political Science major. That’s been one of the unique things about SVU, I think, that I’ve been able to work on many different creative pursuits while still focusing on my own major. Getting the chance to share my own work with SVU has been a great experience, and I wanted to help others get more confidence in their abilities.”
Interview with Whitney John, senior, multi-contributor & first place winner of the art and photography section
Why did you choose to submit your work?
“I submitted my art because I’m proud of my work and I want to share it with others, but also because I enjoy being part of the creative campus community. I think The Review offers a great opportunity to student artists to see and showcase their work in what may be the first professional setting they’ve had available to them. Having artwork published alongside poetry and creative writing is such a unique and unifying experience for creative people on campus, The Review offers an incredibly important collaboration of the arts at Southern Virginia.”
What does it mean to you to win first place?
“To me, being accepted in The Review means that I’ve been able to participate in a community project with other amazing and talented creatives, and it’s exciting to know that my work was chosen and published next to theirs. Being awarded with first place is such an honor, and most of all it reassures me that the emotion of my piece was something that people could feel and relate to.”
What was your inspiration for ‘Lost’?
“The inspiration for ‘Lost’ is actually my mother — a while ago I had a small glimpse into something really difficult that she was going through, and the emotions she was feeling and sharing really struck me, to the point where I began creating art about it in order to process and understand them better. The pieces I’ve made about her have been shared with her permission of course. ‘Lost’ for me is one of the first pieces I’ve ever made with the intent of processing difficult emotions, and I think that really opened a lot of doors for what I can do with my art. “
Make sure to check out The Review and support your peers!
Literary Magazine: The Review was originally published in The Herald on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.