Two students examine the new PEEL literary arts magazine during the release party Thursday evening in the Solarium of Plemmons Student Union. Photo by Holt Menzies

by EDWARD SZTUKOWSKI
News Reporter

Nearly 150 students, faculty and staff appeared for the PEEL Literary Arts Magazine release party Thursday night in the Summit Trail Solarium of Plemmons Student Union.

Featuring live music from Due Euphoria, the release party displayed great enthusiasm regarding the literary arts magazine, which is only in its second year of release.

“Our theme this year was bigger, better and brighter,” Amy C. Saltmarsh, senior sociology major and editor-in-chief of the PEEL said. “We’ve grown exponentially—we had 350 art submissions, 330 poetry submissions and 60 prose submissions.”

Overall, 37 total submissions made it into the PEEL.

Saltmarsh founded the PEEL after realizing Appalachian State University did not have a literary arts magazine.

“Coming to Appalachian, it was amazing we didn’t have a venue for [artists]. We were the only state university in North Carolina that didn’t have this,” Saltmarsh said. “In our first meeting, we had four people, by our third we had 35. The staff have worked their butts off and I couldn’t be more thankful.”

Qaitlin B. Peterson, sophomore anthropology major and editorial assistant for The PEEL, was excited to see her hard work materialized.

“It was an experience going to events that sometimes didn’t work out,” Peterson said. “This is something that truly makes our hearts full of happiness. Literary arts are truly important for everyone in the world, and the PEEL is providing this to Appalachian State.”

Cindy A. Wallace, vice chancellor for Student Development, was glad to see so many students attend the release party in support of the PEEL.

“Our goal in student development is to find that unique place for every student to find their passion,” Wallace said. “A literary arts magazine is the nexus of creativity for students that may not be found elsewhere.”

Wallace said she is convinced finding a creative outlet for students is critical, which the PEEL is attempting to provide.

Chelsea C. Lundquist-Wentz, junior English major and assistant editor of the PEEL, echoed sentiments many print artists feel when faced with new technology.

“I feel like a lot of written work has been going online, but its great to see a roomful of people who want to read a book by their peers,” Lundquist-Wentz said.

She referred to the PEEL as Saltmarsh’s “baby,” but the time had come for the baby to fly away from her.

TrackBack URI for this entry

Comments (0)

Show/Hide comments