FERRUM, VA, January 2, 2024 – “Chrysalis Literary and Arts Magazine” hosted its semi-annual publication reveal during fall exam week on the evening of November 17, 2023. The event opened with the revelation of the Fall 2023 cover: a sunrise photo submitted by Assistant Professor of Psychology Dr. Abigail Jamison. She said humbly, “I try to capture the sunrise at my house every morning, and this one was particularly beautiful.”
“Chrysalis” is a student-run art and literature publication. The reveal each semester allows artists and writers to discuss their submissions. Dr. Grimes invites alumni and professionals in writing, photography and art to serve as judges.
This year, artist Will Hensel and photographer Monica Hoel were members of the judges panel along with Seleste Cowie ’18 for poetry and local author Jane Fenton for prose. Fenton attended the reveal with her husband. “It was really an honor to be a judge and all the prose submissions were very creative,” she said. “It was a pleasure to read them!”
One of the student editors, Kiersten Jones, introduced each piece at the reveal and invited the contributors to the podium to speak about the piece, and provide a reading or a performance. The comments, readings, and performances highlighted the deeply personal nature of most of the submissions. Some found it difficult to discuss their inspiration while others found joy in sharing the story behind the piece. Faculty contributor David Campbell performed his submission of aan original song with guitar and vocals, “Das Bevo Mill,” and shared the story of playing at the Das Bevo Biergarten that inspired the song.
“We had a lot of fun with the magazine this semester,” said Jones. “We have a lot of contributors – thirty-five to be exact. We had a lot more prose and photographs and art in this magazine. Several submissions were combinations of art and prose or poetry. It was really impressive. Everyone did a really fantastic job. I think all the contributions were excellent and this magazine definitely showcases our talented students at this college.”
First Place Photography: “Colors of Fall” by Stephanie Staats
First Place Poetry: “My Weak Heart” by Sean Folquet
First Place Prose: “Sandwiches at Meme’s House” by Mary Grace Faulkner
First Place Art: “Agrias/Sour” by Candela Perez Castellanos
To read the fall magazine and the archives, visit https://www.ferrum.edu/campus-life/chrysalis.
