Mississippi State University’s creative arts journal, The Streetcar, is hosting its 10^th volume release party Friday, April 29, at Nine-Twentynine Coffee Bar. This is the first time the event has been held in person since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The night’s events will begin at 4:30 p.m. with the release reception downstairs. Free food and drinks will be available while supplies last. Artists included in the new volume will read their work, and staff involved in the production will give speeches. About 200 copies of The Streetcar will be free to attendees.
The release party will be followed by an open mic night at 6:30 p.m. as an opportunity for anyone to share their creative works, from comedy to music. Anyone, student or not, is encouraged to attend. An arts market featuring work from the journal will be open upstairs.
The Streetcar, sponsored by the Shackouls Honors College, is an art journal produced annually by students to display the creativity of artists at MSU. It includes many different types of creative works including poetry, prose, digital art and photography.
Based on the submissions they receive, the editorial staff display a theme. This year’s theme explores changing gender roles, femininity and the objectification of the female body.
“Through a gradient of colors, the art presented in this journal will highlight the various waves of feminism that have contributed to our understanding of what it means to be human,” The Streetcar introduction reads. “From blue to pink, feminism has come to be recognized by purple, a combination of previously gendered colors that have come to represent an equalized experience. In this journal, we wanted to uplift the art that revolts against traditional constructs of gender and inspires a conversation about a world without superficial borders, a world undefined.”
Co-editor-in-chief Riley Cutler believes The Streetcar is a significant opportunity for students to prompt discussion on important topics through their art.
“We’re trying to tell a story and force the reader to think about a perspective or something that they’ve never necessarily thought about,” Cutler said.
Cutler, a senior biological sciences major with a minor in art, has art work in the issue. She said she loves having her art published because art becomes its own entity.
“There’s this discourse created between the viewer and the art work because they’re going to have experiences you don’t have and perhaps interpret it in different ways,” Cutler said.
Grace Jones, an English major who graduated in December, is a photographer and writer. She believes The Streetcar is important as a collaborative opportunity for students to express themselves, as well as a work of art for people to experience.
“I’m excited to see how it turns out, and to grab a coffee and to see my work in it. This is the first time I think my pictures have been printed and published,” Jones said.
Unlike many art publications, The Streetcar offers free publication. Students of any area of study may submit their creative works from September to December. Staff can gain valuable experience in editing and publication, members said.
Trevor Wycoff, the journal’s graphics designer and production manager, thinks The Streetcar is a valuable opportunity for artists and production staff.
“Production of The Streetcar is such a large and long process that you learn a lot about the program, you learn a lot about creating something, you learn a lot about representing individuals and you learn a lot about working with people closely over a long period of time,” Wycoff said.
Wycoff encourages people to come to the event at 929 and meet the creative people in Starkville.
“The kind of people that come out are really interesting. They’re really nice, they’re really fun to be around and we have a lot of free stuff going on at the release party, so do come out,” Wycoff said.