By Alex Eskew
Artwork by Isabel Hatfield from 2008 first issue of street
Many Willow students know about our school’s annual creative writing magazine, street, but how many of them know the ins and outs of how it works and how it started? Posters recently posted throughout the halls announce that the deadline to submit to the online catalog is coming up, so get in the know, and start submitting!
Rummaging through the collection of old issues in Creative Writing teacher Dr. Campbell’s room during study hall and seeing the pages full of student writing and art, it’s easy to come away impressed by the creativity being expressed within our student body.
Dr. Campbell’s senior intern, Sadie O’Neill, acts as Editor-in-Chief of Street. “In addition to me, each upper level (3 and 4) takes part contributing to street’s publication in some way.”
“CACW started street in 2008 with Mr. Richard (the Creative Writing teacher at the time,” O’Neill said. Every year since, CACW students apply their writing to be featured in the magazine. But what about the colorful illustrations and captivating photography scattered throughout the magazine’s pages. Who makes these pieces?
“We kind of just submit pieces if it’s something we’re really proud of,” Wolfgang Schwilke said. “I’m in my senior year, so I’ve known all about Street since I started CAVA in freshman year.”
The CAVA students are encouraged to submit pieces every year, but they are not the only ones who do so. Anyone at the Willow School can send in their art or writing to be included. The recent poster that was put up said that anyone who participated in an art form could submit, including dance and music. And some English teachers give extra credit from time to time for students who submit their creative work to street.
“I give a lot of creative writing work in my English classes on shorter Friday blocks,” Ms. Crockett said. “I’ll give some extra credit to any student who is verified as submitting that edited work to street. I love to encourage creative writing and not just academic writing in English class.”
In fact, street is still accepting submissions for both print and online editions. They are accepting poetry, prose, visual art, photography, and even videos of dance and recordings of music. When submitting, please include preferred name, title, and genre in the subject of your email. Submissions are open now until January 4th. street@willowschoolnola.org
So, when will this years’ hard copy be released?
“Sometime in the spring of 2024, towards the end of the year, is when the physical copy will be released,” senior CACW student, Ivan Barrosse, said.
Now that you know more about Willow’s art magazine, will you be submitting work or buying a copy?
