By: Courtney Lyons, Contributor
The Quadrangle will be releasing its 72nd edition (Q72) on Wednesday, April 24 at 6 p.m. in Science Hall Commons. Though later than originally anticipated and in a new location, the one week delay will be “worth the wait” because it “gives us the best possible product,” says Co-Editor-in-Chief Emma Radel.
Quadrangle is Canisius University’s literary and arts magazine, which annually showcases prose, poetry, photography and fine arts from students, faculty and alumni. This year’s theme — “Climate: The world and our place in it” — is a topical yet timeless concept that is broad enough to be the ideal convergence of Canisius’s artistic talents and creative sensibilities.
The unveiling is a celebration where, for the very first time, the magazine’s appearance will be revealed, and each attendee will receive a free copy. Lest she spoil the surprise, Radel only provided the teaser that Q72’s “designer, Adelina [Metz], has truly given total attention to every last detail in the magazine’s design and layout.” Open to the public with refreshments served, the unveiling will also feature student readings and insightful commentary, bringing the ink on the pages to life.
Radel has been a part of the Quadrangle staff and has had her work published in the magazine since her freshman year. The enthusiastic and bubbly writer states she and her fellow editorial team have been “so humbled at how many submissions we received this year and at how many people were willing to bare their artistic souls to us.” One of those willing people is none other than The Griffin’s News Editor Sydney Umstead, who will have two poems featured.
When talking about her pieces, Umstead said that, “The individual lives that people lead and the things that contribute to who they are have always been a point of inspiration for me. I know I can’t step in the shoes of every person I come into contact with, but sometimes I wish I could.”
Being published in Q72 is not an easy feat, for every anonymous submission received careful scrutiny by students in Dr. Mick Cochrane’s Literary Publishing course and Q72’s editorial staff. Creative Corner Editor Connor Pohlman said having an excerpt from his developing space opera novel selected for Q72 publication was a “pleasant surprise.” Pohlman, “hope[s] that there is enough intrigue and connection from the reader to water this young and ever-blossoming seed of a story into a full life that people can experience together.” After all, a university’s literary magazine is often an author’s first publication.
Over seven decades old, the Quadrangle publication is a time-honored tradition, and its April 24 unveiling is a culmination of Canisius’s literary life that one would be loath to miss. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to attend the unveiling, which Radel says will “be a celebration to remember.” To learn more about the Quadrangle staff, contributors and the unveiling, follow Q72’s Instagram account @quadranglemag.