There is a new creative outlet for Bakersfield College students, faculty and anyone else who needs to release emotion or a message to the public.
English major Danielle Elliott started a new BC literary magazine called Lemur; however, anyone can send anything including art, photos, prose and poetry.
“Lemur is as random as it can get,” said Elliott. “It’s just a random name because the things we’re going to get are just as random.”
According to Elliott, most magazines think that the title is important, but it is not. It is the idea that people can express themselves that is important.
“This magazine is a collection of artistic works,” said Elliott. “So, it’s anything that anyone can come up with.”
Though the BC student staff wanted the magazine to be quarterly, it is once every semester.
Lemur is made up of BC students and friends who’ve gathered together to create a club and editorial board for the magazine.
“I have about 10 or 12 friends,” said Elliott, “so they come and support me as a club.”
However, one must attend once a month to be considered active in their membership.
“It definitely just started, so it is a very small organization.” But, according to Elliott, they just “get it done.” It is not expensive to put out a 20-page magazine. According to Elliott, the board plans to fund the magazine by selling things such as candy in the quad area. Until then, they had help from other sources.
“The SGA (Student Government Association) does contribute a large amount of funds,” said Elliott.
Though it costs to put out a magazine, it will not cost students to read it.
“It’s a free publication,” said Elliott, “and it will be at least in the library.” BC English professors have also requested copies to hand out to their students and the student body. The English and Fine Arts departments have copies.
According to Elliott, they began this magazine because students need to express themselves in some way whether it is through photography, art or writing. “We were just trying to tap into it ’cause there’s no way to actually show what you can do and how you can do it and every student at BC needs that,” said Elliot
Though BC professors have dabbled in creating a literary magazine in the past, the magazine contained only work created by faculty. So, it did not have much value to students.
“The English Department ran out of money and quite frankly caring about it, so they just stopped finishing it,” explained Elliott.
Instead, Elliott came out with Lemur, a magazine that students can participate in.
“I would really like to see people get interested in it,” said Elliott.
There are qualifications, however, one must adhere to in order to be published.
According to Elliott, there are three basic categories: Non-proficient, proficient and exemplary. Each piece is on a point system. If pieces receive at least 21 out of 27 points, they get published.
According to Elliott, if a piece is received too late, they will publish it in the next magazine.
“There are no deadlines, just get it in.”