Clark instructor earns Guggenheim

Orlando, Florida, June 12, 2016 is one of a series of paintings from Stephen Hayes’ project In the Hour Before, for which he received a 2018 Guggenheim Fellowship. Image courtesy of Stephen Hayes/Elizabeth Leach Gallery.

Clark College is proud to announce that adjunct art instructor Stephen Hayes has been named a 2018 Guggenheim Fellow in Fine Arts. Hayes is one of 175 scholars, artists, and scientists from the U.S. and Canada to receive this honor from the John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation.

“As one of the few community colleges in the state to offer an Associate in Fine Arts degree, Clark College takes pride in the high level of quality of the faculty members who teach in our studio arts programs,” said Professor Lisa Conway, chair of the college’s art department. “We are thrilled, though in no way surprised, by Stephen’s latest accomplishment.”

Hayes has taught classes including drawing, color design, and two-dimensional design at Clark since 2012, shortly after he presented a lecture during the college’s popular Clark Art Talks series. Besides Clark, his teaching experience includes Oregon State University and Yarmouk University. As an artist, Hayes has held over 35 solo exhibitions in the U.S. and abroad, and his works are housed in the collections of the New York Public Library, the Frans Masereel Centrum voor Grafiek in Kasterlee, Belgium, The Portland Art Museum, The Hallie Ford Museum, The Gates Foundation, Lewis and Clark College and more than 100 private and public collections in the United States, Europe, and Japan.

Hayes, who lives in Portland, will use the fellowship’s funding to pursue a project titled In The Hour Before, in which he uses Google Earth to view places that have been affected by gun violence and paints them as they would be seen in the hour before the violent event took place.

“It is both exciting and humbling to be awarded this fellowship,” said Hayes. “So many artists are as deserving of this kind of recognition. I have worked with focus for a long time and have gotten a few breaks over the years with exhibitions, grants, and awards. This one feels as if it can not only be a recognition for past efforts, but also can open doors to new possibilities.

More information about Stephen Hayes is available at www.gf.org/fellows/all-fellows/stephen-hayes/ and at his website, www.stephenhayes.net.

 




Jim Archer, 1942-2017

Photo of Jim Archer in front of Archer Gallery

Long-time art faculty member and gallery director James “Jim” Archer passed away on Tuesday, November 28. He was 75 years old.

Archer grew up in Vancouver and received his Associate of Arts degree from Clark College before going on to earn his Bachelor of Arts in graphic design from Portland State University and his Master of Fine Arts from Washington State University. Afterward he returned to Clark College to teach. In addition to serving as gallery director, Jim taught art and art history at Clark College for 23 years.

Archer originally became curator of Clark’s art gallery in 1982, when it was still located within the Clark College Bookstore and was called the Index Gallery. Successful in attracting well-known Northwest artists, the Index Gallery became known as one the region’s top alternative venues for contemporary artists. Archer announced his retirement in 1995. That same year, the gallery—which by then had been relocated to a larger space within Gaiser—was renamed in Archer’s honor. It moved to its current location in the lower level of the Penguin Union Building in 2005.

In 2016, Archer donated much of his private art collection to Clark College; selected works from the collection were shown in the gallery that bears his name, in an exhibit called “Archer @ Archer.”

Current and retired art faculty joined together to issue the following statement about their colleague’s passing:

It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Jim Archer. Jim was the first director of the Archer Gallery, a position he held from 1982 to 1995. He established the traditions and mission that are central to the Archer Gallery. Under his direction, the gallery quickly gained a regional reputation for exhibiting emerging Northwest artists due to his prescient eye for recognizing young talent. Through the next several decades, significant regional artists could point to their initial exhibition in the Vancouver-Portland metro area at Clark College’s Archer (formerly Index) Gallery.

Jim was a passionate, sometimes fierce, man with strong opinions. The gallery exists in its present form because of the battles that Jim fought to shape it. All of his strength and determination was needed for his struggle with AIDS. Jim was diagnosed with HIV in 1987 and AIDS in 1994 before medications had been developed to manage the disease. In the winter of 1995 Jim became dangerously ill but survived and became an early successful recipient of the AIDS drug cocktail. The dignity, resolve, and humor with which he handled the treatments and advancing illness was inspiring. He never yielded to his illness and continued to live and enjoy life fully.

After his retirement from Clark in 1995, Jim continued to champion young artists: collecting work, visiting studios, and curating exhibits – including “Next/Now” (Littman Gallery, Portland State University) and “Modern Zoo” (St. Johns, Oregon).

Jim returned to his own studio work after retirement creating and exhibiting collage and painting on paper. Both his work and his art collection (much of which was donated to Clark College and the Hallie Ford Museum at Willamette University in Salem, Oregon) were featured in “Archer@Archer” in 2016.

Jim was a great friend, father to Stephen and Peter Archer, and Grandfather to Isabella (Bella) Archer.

There will be a memorial service on December 16 at 6:00 p.m. Holladay Park Plaza (1300 NE 16th Ave., Portland, Oregon), the retirement community where Archer lived until shortly before his death. Time and details are still being determined by the family; this article will be updated as details become available. The Archer Gallery is collecting cards and letters to give to the family during the service.

This article was updated 12/6/17 to reflect the new date of the memorial service. It was updated again on 12/11/17 to include the time of the service.

Photo: Clark College/Jenny Shadley




A year of talent

On May 16, the Archer Gallery was filled with visitors to the opening of the 2017 Art Student Annual Exhibition. This yearly event showcases the best artwork produced by Clark art students in the past academic year. Students compete not only for a spot in the show, but also for awards sponsored by local businesses and organizations. This year’s outside juror was Karl Burkheimer, head of the Master of Fine Arts program at the Oregon College of Art and Craft. Awards are listed below.

The exhibition is on display through June 16. The Archer Gallery is open 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Tuesdays through Thursdays, and noon to 5:00 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays.

  • Best in Show, sponsored by Blick Art Materials
    Ana Stoumbos, Figure Study, oil on paper
  • Most Ambitious, sponsored by Portland Institute for Contemporary Art
    Meakia Blake, Connect, video
  • Solo Show Award, sponsored by Niche Wine Bar
    Matt Harmon, Marsyes V. Apollo: Diana, oil on canvas
  • Best Painting or Drawing, sponsored by Clark Bookstore and Dengerink Art Supply
    Leah Adams, A Netherhole, oil on canvas
  • 2nd Place Award, Painting or Drawing, sponsored by Clark Bookstore and Blick Art Materials
    Ray Bennett, Self-portrait in Ink, ink on paper
  • 3rd Place Award, Paiting or Drawing sponsored by Clark Bookstore
    Julie Foley, Zelda Series, metal
  • Best Video or Time-based Art, sponsored by Artist & Craftsman Supply
    Ana Stoumbos, Transit, video
  • 2nd place Video or Time-based Art, sponsored by Collage Art and Craft Supplies
    Jonno Heyne, Paradoxial Adventures of Grayman II, ink marker and digital graphics
  • Best Graphic Arts, sponsored by the Art Gym at Marylhurst University
    Tricia Davis-Payne, Do You Know, digital illustration
  • Best Welded Sculpture, sponsored by Clark Welding Department
    Marie Perrin Ogier, Untitled, metal
  • Best Photography, sponsored by Pro Photo Supply
    Isiah Huntington, Expansivity, digital photograph
  • Newspace Scholarship Award, sponsored by Newspace Center for Photography
    Jennifer Avens, Omnia Mors Aequat, silver gelatin print
  • 2nd Place Photography Award, sponsored by Pro Photo Supply
    Dayna Bojanowski, Under, digital photograph
  • 3rd Place Photography Award, sponsored by Blue Moon Camera
    Matthew Philbrook, Forgotten, black and white photograph
  • Blue Sky Membership Award, sponsored by Blue Sky, the Oregon Center for the Photographic Arts
    Kelly Pearce, Pieces of Home, photographs
  • Best Ceramic Art, sponsored by Clay Art Center
    Lauren Duquette, Blue Pitcher, ceramic
  • 2nd Place Ceramic Art, sponsored by Georgie’s Ceramics and Clay
    Aleks Dernovoy, Mechanical Tulip, ceramic
  • 3rd place Ceramic Art, sponsored by Georgie’s Ceramics and Clay
    Stephani Ueltschi, Pressure, ceramic
  • 4th place Ceramic Art, sponsored by Georgie’s Ceramics and Clay
    Colton Rasanen, Planter, ceramic

Photography by Clark College/Jenny Shadley. More photos on our Flickr page.




Phoenix embraces transformation

Student with Phoenix

Student Jorin Copeland turns to his artwork featured in the 2017 Phoenix.

On May 16, Clark College’s award-winning art and literary journal, Phoenix, unveiled its 2017 edition at a reception in PUB 161. Taking inspiration from the Clark community, the Phoenix staff adopted the collegewide theme of Transformation for the new journal. Through more than 70 works of poetry, fiction, interviews, photography, paintings, and more, contributors’ pieces explore moments of change and growth.

Cover of 2017 PhoenixAt the reception, Clark student and Phoenix managing editor Megan Robb spoke of the personal challenges she has faced and how it inspired her to write a poem for the journal titled “Inner Reflection.”

“We have the choice to transform ourselves repeatedly, shedding the dark, hurtful pieces of our soul and regaining some beauty. This is what I was doing when I wrote this piece,” Robb said. “I had decided it was time to stop wallowing in the unfamiliarity I felt with myself and begin readying myself for change, for regeneration, a personal transformation that brought me to the doors of this college.”

Beyond the personal, transformation is a natural part of creating Phoenix, says fiction editor Ashlee Nelson. She spoke at the reception about the unique perspectives that each year’s students brings to the publication and the possibilities that arise when different creative minds collaborate.

“Whatever next year’s edition of Phoenix brings, it will be its own,” said Nelson. “It will represent Clark’s creative student body and their interests. It will be Clark at a moment in time before it transforms again, as students become alumni, and community members become students. There is something special about Phoenix in this way.”

2017 Phoenix staff

The staff of the 2017 Phoenix. Faculty co-advisor Liz Donley (black jacket) stands in the center.

The Clark community is not the only one that recognizes how special Phoenix is—the journal recently won the National Program Directors’ Prize for design for undergraduate literary magazines by the Association of Writers & Writing Programs (AWP).

Each year, AWP honors two national undergraduate journals with a content and a design award, and past winners have included journals from Columbia University, The New School, Kansas City Art Institute, University of Washington, and other prestigious institutions. This is the first time in a decade that the award has gone to a two-year college.

The judge for this year’s award, Lisa Noble, Creative Services Manager of Edelman Financial Services, wrote, “From cover to cover Phoenix stands out as an exemplary publication in design, quality, and concept . . . The publishers of Phoenix should feel very proud of what they’ve created. It is an important collaboration that succeeds in showcasing the diversity of talented individuals who chose Clark College to develop their craft.”

Photos: Clark College/Jenny Shadley. To see more photos from the event, visit our Flickr album.




Exploring Subtext

Subtext logo

The Clark College Columbia Writers Series is offering a full week of writers, readings, and events on the college’s main campus during its third annual Subtext Literary Festival. From May 15-18, the college will host well-known authors, as well as readings by Clark students and faculty.

All events are free and open to the public. Directions and maps are available online. Individuals who need accommodation due to a disability in order to fully participate in this event should contact Clark College’s Disability Support Services (DSS) Office at 360-992-2314 or 360-991-0901 (VP). The DSS office is located in room 013 in Clark’s Penguin Union Building.

The Columbia Writers Series was launched at Clark College in 1988, bringing local, national and international authors to the college and the region. Information about the Columbia Writers Series is available at www.clark.edu/cc/cws.

Schedule

May 15, 12:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m., PUB 258B: “Possible Utopias” Writing Workshop

Arwen Spicer, an instructor in the English department, will lead this workshop, which will provide a fun opportunity to engage in guided writing and discussion about imagining bright futures for our world. Each participant will leave the workshop with a final piece of writing that outlines their vision for a better society. The workshop is free and open to the public. Although participants are encouraged to come for the full two hours, drop-ins are also welcome.

May 16, 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m., PUB 161: Phoenix Unveiling

Clark College’s national award-winning art and literary journal, Phoenix, will unveil its 2016-2017 edition with readings from student authors and free copies available for guests. The 2015-2016 edition of Phoenix just earned the prize for Best Design from the Association of Writers & Writing Programs—the first time the award has gone to a two-year college in a decade.

May 17, 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m., PUB 258A: Clark Crossings Student and Faculty Reading

Students and faculty will read from their own work or from the work of their favorite writers. Each reading will relate to the college theme of “Transformation,” and fiction, poetry, and memoir will all be included.                                                               

May 18, 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m., PUB 161: Fiction writer Peter Rock

Peter Rock is a professor of creative writing at Reed College. His most recent book is SPELLS, a novel-within-photographs that is a collaboration with five photographers and concerns shadows and bodies, the living and the dead, talking animals and all manner of shape-shifting. He is also the author of the novels Klickitat, The Shelter Cycle, My Abandonment, The Bewildered, The AmbidextristCarnival Wolvesand This Is the Place, and a story collection, The Unsettling.

 

 




Catching dreams, sharing history

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Brent Learned talks about George Curtis Levi’s traditional “ledger art” with attendees of the 2016 Student of Color Luncheon.

The winter 2016 Student of Color Luncheon was filled with history–some of it long in the past, and some of it being made right then. The event featured artists Brent Learned and George Curtis Levi, whose work is currently being featured at the Clark County Historical Museum, speaking about atrocities committed against their ancestors in the 19th century. It also marked the bestowal of Clark’s first scholarship designated specifically for a Native American student.

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Dream Catcher Scholarship recipient Channa Smith

The Clark College Dream Catcher Scholarship was first announced at the college’s annual Native American celebration in 2014. Clark student Channa Smith said she was honored to be its inaugural recipient. “When I first applied for the scholarship, I didn’t think much about it beyond, ‘Oh, it would be nice to have some money,'” she said at the reception. “But it’s been really transformative. I didn’t think how much it would mean to me to be recognized for my hard work.”

Smith has been very active in the community, both at the college and in Southwest Washington. A Coast Salish tribe member, she helped start Clark’s new Native American Cultural Club and has participated in local Chinook tribal activities since moving to the area.

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Channa Smith was named the inaugural recipient of the Dream Catcher Scholarship at the 2016 Student of Color Luncheon. Multicultural Retention Manager Felisciana Peralta, right, presented the scholarship.

After the scholarship was presented to Smith, Learned and Levi spoke about creating the art that makes up “One November Morning.” This exhibit depicts the Sand Creek Massacre of November 29, 1864, when more than 150 Cheyenne and Arapaho people were killed in Sand Creek, Colorado, by U.S. Army soldiers.

“You have to know where you come from to know where you’re going, and that’s what we’re trying to do,” said Levi during the presentation. He urged students at the luncheon to remember their own history and communities as they progressed in life. “Go back to your communities after you graduate and give back,” he said.

“One November Morning” will be on display at the Clark County Historical Museum through May 28. As part of its “Native Voices” exhibit, the Clark College Libraries is hosting a free art walk on Friday, March 4, that begins at Cannell Library with a reception, then visits the Native American basketry currently on display at Archer Gallery, and ends at the Clark County Historical Museum.

The spring 2016 Student of Color Luncheon will be held in May. It will feature the announcement of the recipient of Clark’s 2016 Constance Baker Motley Scholarship, which is given each year to a Clark College student of color.

Photos: Clark College/Jenny Shadley




Archer @ Archer

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As retired Clark College art professor James Archer stood in the gallery named after him and gazed at the works hanging on the walls, his expression was slightly wistful. Archer was attending the reception for “Archer @ Archer,” an exhibit of selections from Archer’s private art collection, which he is donating to the college where he taught for 23 years.

“It’s pretty overwhelming,” he said, standing between two colorful abstract prints of his own and a row of prints made by a former student who is now an art professor himself. “Many of these works were done by young people whom I mentored over the years. Most of them, I never was able to frame, so this is my first time seeing them framed and hung as a collection. It’s a very emotional experience for me.”

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Carson Legree, left, with Jim Archer at the opening on January 12.

The college has received many donations of art through the Clark College Foundation over the years, but this donation is unusual both because of its size and its historical significance. Archer is donating 129 works total, about 40 of which are on display at the gallery. These works include drawings, paintings, prints, and collage, many of them by Clark instructors or students. Not only do they form an impressive collection of regional art, but they also represent the artistic vision of Archer Gallery’s founding director.

Archer originally became curator of the gallery in 1982, when it was still located within the Clark College Bookstore and was called the Index Gallery. Successful in attracting well-known Northwest artists, the Index Gallery became known as one the region’s top alternative venues for contemporary artists. In 1995, the gallery—which by then had been relocated to a larger space within Gaiser—was renamed in Archer’s honor. It moved to its current location in the lower level of the Penguin Union Building in 2005.

“This donation is significant because it has a lot of regional pieces, many with a strong Clark connection,” said Clark art professor and current Archery Gallery curator Senseney Stokes. “There are works here from [retired art professor and former Archer Galley curator] Carson Legree, from Jim himself, from [retired art professor] Jim Baker. But even beyond these connections, some of the work here is so strong, so beautiful. Jim collected some really great stuff, and we’re lucky to have it in our campus collection.”

20160112-0411

Professors bring art students to the Archer Gallery regularly as part of their instruction.

Clark’s Art Committee will be deciding where to place pieces from the collection after the show ends February 20. Members of the college community are invited to provide the committee with feedback on placement of particular objects.

Asked why he chose to donate his collection to Clark, Archer explained that he was downsizing to a smaller home and that Clark seemed the natural place to donate these works. “I’m an alumnus of this college, I worked here,” he said. “I’m happy that they won’t just be put in a closet here. People will see them, and react to them, for a long time to come.”

Photos of the exhibit can be viewed on our Flickr site.

Photos Clark College/Jenny Shadley




Student stories: Flying with a Phoenix

20150918-0111AMy name is Lily Hart, and I am a student at Clark College. I’m also the Managing Editor of Phoenix and was Assistant Literary Editor last year. Phoenix is Clark College’s award-winning literary and art journal. Run by student editors and faculty advisers, it publishes work from Clark College students, faculty and alumni—mostly students. We publish in print and online, and accept a wide array of work including fiction, creative non-fiction, poetry, ceramics, design work, music, and dramatic recitals. You can go online at clarkphoenix.com to get a full list. This year, Phoenix is proud to introduce a new category: graphic novels.

20150521-31I am hoping that this post will give you insight into the behind-the-scenes process of Phoenix—and will maybe prompt you to submit something to the journal yourself!

Right now, the 2016 Phoenix is just finishing up its pre-production phase. Here are a couple little tidbits about the early stages that many people aren’t aware of. Clark offers a three-credit class in the fall – Intro to Literary Publication. In this class, students work on marketing and promotions; interview plans and strategies; and editing 101. If you are curious about some of the work done in the class, take a look at the promotional posters going up around campus, as well as a slide in the Gaiser Student Center: We created all of those in our class, and it’s fun to be able to see our “homework” on display all over campus. We have a class of 16 students, and everyone is enthusiastic about the work we’ve started.

One of my classmates in Intro to Literary Publication, Rowan Walters, is Phoenix’s Poetry Editor. “Starting in the class and progressing to the staff has made me feel valuable, both to the campus of a school I love as well as to society in general,” she says.

I would definitely agree with this. For me, one of the other highlights of being involved is getting to know a lot of amazing people with similar interests. It’s a nice community feel.

20150121-IMG_4093You also get real-world experience in being an editor, gaining organization skills and managing projects, which are all perfect skills for today’s job market. As Jennie Avens, our Fine Arts editor from 2015 and again staff for 2016, says, “Working with this team was a great practical experience that gave me a sneak peek of what to expect if I get into publishing after graduation.” Whether a student’s career goals lie in editing and the arts, or in something completely different, the skills gained from being on Phoenix gives are always applicable.

Another thing which I’m really excited about is the awards Phoenix has won. In 2014, the journal won first place in the American Scholastic Press literary and art journal competition, and individual student work won as well. Last year, (when I was involved, so this is super exciting!) it won the 2015 Washington Community College Humanities Association’s Large Budget Literary/Arts Magazine of the Year, and the Community College Humanities Association award for first place Literary Journal. This is a huge deal for us because we have never won that award before.

Remember, submissions are open to the entire college community–students, faculty, staff and alumni–and the submission deadlines are January 9 for literature, January 19 for art, and February 29 for video. Visit clarkphoenix.com to find out more about how to submit your work. We hope to see your submissions!

This article was contributed by Clark student Lily Hart.

Photos: Clark College/Jenny Shadley




A beautiful birthday

unveiling mural at Cannell Library's 25th anniversary

Art students Matt Harmon and John Mangan, with assistance from Clark College President Bob Knight, unveil a new mural at the 25th anniversary of Cannell Library. Photo: Clark College/Nick Bremer-Korb

Normally, you wouldn’t hold a birthday party at a library. But when you’re celebrating the “birth” of a library itself—well, bring on the sweets and decorations! Fans of Cannell Library gathered for a festive celebration of the landmark building on September 29, a quarter-century after the library first opened its doors to Clark students and the public.

The event began with greetings from Clark College President Bob Knight and Dean of Clark Libraries & Academic Success Services Michelle Bagley. Knight commended the library, calling it a “wonderful learning environment for our students.”

Bagley noted that Cannell, like libraries around the world, has had to make many changes over the past 25 years to adapt to evolving technology. Primarily print collections are now housed digitally; the library loans out netbooks and phone chargers along with books and DVDs; and the building is devoting more of its square footage to small study rooms and collaborative spaces as students come to the library for more than just reading.

Cannell Library directors at 25th anniversary

All three of Cannell Libary’s directors–former director Lynn Chmelir, current Dean of Clark Libraries and Academic Success Services Michelle Bagley, and former director Leonoor Ingraham-Swets–were on hand to celebrate the building’s 25th anniversary. Photo: Bob Hughes

“The changes this library has seen over the last 25 years are really amazing,” Bagley said. “We have a great team here. This is a group that is continually thinking forward. They are innovative, they initiate change, and they are creative. I’m excited to see what they will do in the next 25 years.”

As befitting a birthday party, there was even a gift to unwrap: a new mural created by members of the Clark College Art Club that graces the library’s entrance. The project began during spring quarter, when members of the Art Club, who had been looking for a service project, offered to create a mural to fill a space left blank after an artwork that had been on loan to the library was removed. Members submitted design proposals; that of student Matt Harmon was chosen.

“The title I suggest for this work is ‘Nature and Change,’ but I want everyone to come up with their own interpretation of this,” Harmon said before unveiling the mural with President Knight and fellow Art Club member John Mangan, who helped organize the project.

Later, Harmon said that working on the project helped validate his choice to attend Clark. “The main reason I came to Clark was to become a part of an art scene,” said the 32-year-old, who expects to earn his Associate of Fine Arts in spring 2016. “For the longest time I didn’t want to go to school.”

historic photos of Cannell Library

Posters and displays celebrated Cannell Library’s past and future at the building’s 25th anniversary celebration.

Mangan, meanwhile, originally came to Clark in 2013 to pursue his love of painting after retiring from his 37-year tenure as a medical photographer for the Department of Veterans Affairs. In fact, Clark played into his choice to settle in Vancouver after retirement. “Clark College is one of the top community colleges in Washington, and it’s got a really good art department,” he explained. “I frankly didn’t expect to be in school this long, but I really enjoy it and there’s always another class to take.”

Opened in 1990, Cannell Library is the seventh library location in the college’s 82-year history; previously, the library had spent many years in the space now occupied by the Clark College Bookstore in Gaiser Hall. With its curving white exterior overseeing the Chime Tower, the building has become an iconic part of the college’s main campus. It houses a computer lab, numerous study rooms, and access to more than 3 million volumes through its Summit interlibrary loan system. It is named after Dr. Lewis D. Cannell, who served as Clark’s chief academic officer from 1935 until 1970. Dean Cannell was always a strong advocate for Clark’s library, saying, “A book is a wonderful invention, as basic as the wheel. One doesn’t have to plug a book in, one doesn’t have to thaw it out; one simply opens it and another human being speaks to you.”




The Best in the West

Phoenix 2015 Cover

The theme of the 2015 Phoenix was “the artist’s sketchbook.”

The 2015 issue of Phoenix, Clark College’s student-run arts and literary journal, was recently awarded first place in the Community College Humanities Association (CCHA) Literary Magazine Competition for the Pacific-Western Division.

“This is a first for us,” said Clark English professor and Phoenix faculty advisor Elizabeth Donley. “In 2013, we placed third as a magazine in the same division, and were delighted to do so. In the past, Phoenix has regularly been honored for the art and design of the magazine more than anything else. But the CCHA competition really focuses on the literary aspects of the journal. In many ways, this is the first significant award that honors the literary components of Phoenix.”

Several individual Clark students received recognition for their entries in Phoenix as well:

  • David Powers, second place in Short Stories for “Gouge Away”
  • W.R. Soasey, third place in Creative Nonfiction for “Not the Favorite”
  • Trenelle Doyle, second place in Artwork for “The Perception Project”
  • Matthew Harmon, third place in Artwork for “Empirical Being”
  • Alan Logston, first place in Song for “Shades of Steel”
  • Jeffrey Points, first place in Performance for “Project Spielberg”

The CCHA’s Pacific-Western Division includes community colleges in California, Oregon, Washington, Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, and Wyoming.

Over the course of its 34-year history, Phoenix has won many regional and national awards. Many students who work on it go on to pursue careers in writing or the arts. Jennie Avens, a former Phoenix editor who graduated from Clark with her Associate of Fine Arts in spring 2015, said working on the journal helped prepare her for a position as volunteer director for a nonprofit serving budding artists. “Working on Phoenix was an amazing experience that has opened me up to other career possibilities and taught me an abundance of things I use in my life as an artist,” she said.
Phoenix is available in an online format at clarkphoenix.com.