“Nineteenth and Valencia” is a rumination in a hip café about what an utter loser I’d become – which essentially means that it’s the story of at least one seventh of my adult life. It takes place in the wake of graduate school, at a time when I’m really struggling not to be a pile of shit. But seriously, it’s a really funny piece, I adore it, and you should read it. More importantly, the magazine, “Perceptions,” is worthy of purchase regardless of my presence. Not only is my story featured alongside the work of some genuinely talented authors and artists, the book itself is an art piece – hands down the most beautiful periodical that I’ve been printed in. Issues are $15 a copy. Checks can be written out to Perceptions, and sent to the following address:
Mt. Hood Community College
Humanities Division c\o Megan Jones
26000 SE Stark St, Gresham, OR 97080.
Ask for the 2011-2012 issue.
Perceptions: A Magazine of the Arts has appeared annually since 1969. The magazine is produced by students who register for WR247, The Literary Publication, a three term class.
In the fall, students solicit submissions from the campus community and the outside community. After submissions are received, students read and choose which works would best reflect their chosen vision of the magazine. Working with a student from the graphic design program and the printing technology program, the design, paper and over-all look of the magazine is decided. The students continue to work as a team for the next two terms. During the winter term students work with the printing technology class who take the graphic designer’s plans and implement them. The contributors are contacted and invited to read their works at a reception that the students plan for early spring term. Awards are given for the best poem, best prose and best artwork, and the students choose these award winning works.
Although the staff is small, Perceptions reaches other programs on campus, involving other students not inclined to literature and the arts, to be exposed and participate in literary publication. The graphic design student is given first hand experience in working as part of a team to produce a design for the magazine. Printing technology has always used Perceptions as a project as part of the second year of the program.
benleib 