Stark returns now dressed in a beautiful cream outfit with the classic jack–o’-lantern printed on it. He is looking absolutely gourd–eous in his outfit, just in time for the fall spooky season to begin. Taken by his owner, Caitlyn–Rose Bompart–Libert.

By Kira Rodriguez, Creative Corner Editor “Hey, do you know where Amira is?” a girl asked, her voice just barely louder than the crowd. Stage right was filled with meaningless conversation, but all I heard was the girl’s voice. The lights shone down on the actors, creating a white blanket over them. All I could see was Mrs. Rivers standing amongst the nonexistent audience, shouting instructions I could barely hear. Kids played around with props that they were often told not

Taken by Kira Rodriguez, Creative Corner Editor

By Kira Rodriguez, Creative Corner Editor The world you didn't grow up in, The one you look to be a part of, The one you want to be in. You get the stares, the whispers. So you try. You try to learn. Your roommate tries to help you, Teach you the lingo, the dances, All the ways to be part of the world You wish to be in. Because you didn't grow up with them, That side of the family. Not your fault. But you try, And the more you try, It all feels distant. You don't belong to e

Art by Hollie Ellis This art piece was an exercise for my Studio Painting class on campus, FAS170. The goal was to create a small grisaille painting to understand the technique. Grisaille is entirely painted from one neutral color, which we mixed ourselves during class time. It is often used as a foundation for larger paintings. For the medium, I chose to use acrylic and used water when needed to create lighter tones in the same paint. My favorite thing to depict through art

Art by Hollie Ellis

Taken by Kira Rodriguez

Taken by Kira Rodriguez, Creative Corner Editor

Art by Hollie Ellis, Assistant Creative Corner Editor/Layout Editor I created this drawing after visiting each of the libraries in the nearby library system this summer. Exploring these different locations gave me the chance to appreciate the unique art and architecture of the library buildings we have in Erie County. The building that stood out the most was the Alden Ewell Library, which inspired this drawing.

By Kira Rodriguez, Creative Corner Editor A stranger sat a row behind me, across the aisle. That was normal for someone getting on the bus. He was dressed in sweatpants and a hoodie on a hot July morning. That was normal in Buffalo. Then he moved across the aisle from me. "Do you mind if I sit, beautiful?" "Not at all." Why would I mind? It was a public bus. There weren't signs dictating where a man dressed for winter on a July morning could sit. There was no sign telling hi

Taken by Kira Rodriguez

By Kira Rodriguez, Creative Corner Editor Song Man danced up to the bus stop in front of the library. Song Man always had his white headphones on with a beat playing in each ear. Song Man wore a blue windbreaker on the cooler summer mornings, but when the sun warmed the downtown streets, he had on a colorful shirt with any and all patterns. Song Man sang. He always sang. Song Man didn't care who heard him as he let the elderly cut in front and the women too. Song Man sang lou

Taken by Kira Rodriguez

By Kira Rodriguez, Creative Corner Editor "Hey there, sexy" isn't what I was expecting to hear at 8:45 a.m. on a Tuesday. I was usually the only one at the bus stop. Every once in a while, a pair of young girls, high schoolers, would be there waiting with me. It was just me sitting on the bus stop bench. "Do you got a light?" the man asked, parking his bike in front of me. A joint was half-burned in his mouth. I said no. "Yeah, you don't look like someone who smokes." I don't