The artists were out in force last week on the Taylorsville Redwood Campus of Salt Lake Community College. The creative cadre had responded to the call of Folio, SLCC’s art recognition program that spotlights the outstanding creative works of SLCC students. The top floor of the Markosian Library was cornered off on Dec. 2 to host the gathering and for guests to witness the exclusive readings, presentations and first ever web-launch.
Folio’s faculty advisor, Lisa Bickmore, welcomed the gathering of approximately 100 students, faculty and friends of artistic endeavor. The theme of the current issue is “The Nature of Things.”
Bickmore’s introduction invited guests to shift into an artistic mindset by explaining the purpose behind the theme of Folio this year.
“Art tries, in a sense, to capture the fleeting nature of things, so that we can behold it, and contemplate it, even while life around us keeps moving,” Bickmore said.
The evening continued with students called to the podium to read their works to the audience. The tone of the writing ranged from bright and comical to dark and contemplative.
Kellie Ann Halvorsen gave new light to the age-old decision maker, rock-paper-scissors. “At one point in time they had been the best of friends and the closest of companions,” writes Halverson, but the relationship between the paper and scissors rapidly diminishes to the point that “the rock had to stand between them and mediate.”
Sara Jenson quickly captured the audience’s attention with a poem entitled, “It is autumn.” With its somewhat innocuous title, the poem quickly dove into deeper water. “It is autumn. She is slowly dying, breathing shallowly. I clasp her cold hands and whisper, ‘This is the way I like you best.'”
Copies of Folio are free while supplies last and can be obtained in the Writing Center in the administration building at the Taylorsville Redwood Campus.
In the past Folio has been published as a print magazine twice yearly in the fall and spring. This edition marked the first ever creation of an online edition.
Casey Kim, Folio’s Design Editor proudly introduced the online edition, projected on one of the library walls.
“This format will actually open up new possibilities for the student body to express themselves through Folio,” Kim said.
Kim continued with an explanation of the site’s contents. “The site will mainly feature multimedia submissions that will include spoken word essays, audio music, video, animation and exclusive literature and artwork.”
Check out the online edition of Folio at folioslcc.org.