Editors, readers pleased with Saxifrage

Release party for literary arts anthology showcases artists, draws modest crowd

Jessica Baldwin - baldwije@plu.edu

mast a&e reporter

The release party for the 34th volume of the literary arts anthology Saxifrage drew a modest but enthusiastic crowd in the Cave Saturday. About 30 people filtered in and out throughout the evening, enjoying cake, cheese, punch, art and live readings from published authors.

This year’s release party was very informal, with an open microphone and music from KCCR. Though it took nearly ten minutes for the first writer to brave the microphone, several students read by the end of the night. The first reader was senior Jessica Lona, reading her poem called

“Birds Tied to the Ceiling.” Soon there were many queuing up to read their poems and essays. These writers included Saxifrage co-editors senior Andrew Lucchesi and junior Jake Paikai.

“It was a difficult choice,” Lucchesi said of the judging process. “There was a lot of good stuff that came in, and we had to turn a lot of good stuff down. We were able to consider longer pieces. We printed the same amount of stuff as usual, but a lot of longer pieces.”

Poets and essayists were not the only artists to share their work. Artists like sophomore Alyssa Wanner had their artwork and photography on display.

“A friend of mine was involved with Saxifrage and told me to submit,” Wanner said. “I was really excited. I’ve never done anything like this. There are a lot of good artists, and I’m just excited to see what everyone else has done.”

Saxifrage advisor professor Solveig Robinson was pleased with the publication.

“I am impressed with how clean and put-together it is,” Robinson said. “I received an early copy for editing and there was not much to edit. The three editors worked well together.”
Possibly nobody was as pleased with this year’s effort as Paikai.

“I loved the way it turned out,” he said. “I’m really proud of this book; it’s my greatest accomplishment. It’s flows well, it’s beautiful.”

Paikai rounded out the night by bringing Lucchesi and sophomore Matt Click to the front, explaining that Lucchesi would be graduating and Click would retain the position of co-editor for volume 35 along with Paikai.

Many were just as impressed with being able to hear the writers read as they were with the publication.

“I was part of the judging process,” senior Whitney Levis said. “It was a great opportunity. It was nice to finally put faces to the pieces.”

Levis was not the only person who felt honored to be in attendance.

“It was amazing to sit with such brilliant writers and see their [work],” Jacque Rush said.

Free copies of Saxifrage Vol. 34 are available across campus. Make sure you grab a copy.

Photos by Jon Post

Top: Senior Jessica Lona reads from her poem “Birds Tied to the Ceiling,” a piece that was published in this year’s volume of Saxifrage.

Middle: Saxifrage co-editor Junior Jake Paikai reads poetry published in Saxifrage.

Bottom: Senior Rebekka Esbjornson braves the open mic at Saxifrage’s release party Saturday. About 30 people filtered in and out of the Cave, partaking in art, live readings, food and beverages.