For more than 60 years, Morehead State students from every degree field have had a forum for creative expression through “Inscape,” the University’s literary and visual arts journal.
Published since 1957, “Inscape” features poetry, fiction, nonfiction and creative essays, as well as photography, printmaking, painting, digital art, sculptures and other visual art media. Students submit work for publication and works that are featured in the journal are chosen by jurors from the faculty of the Department of Art and Design and the Department of English. Cash prizes are awarded for the best poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction, cover design and visual art submissions.
Lisa Mesa-Gaido, professor of art, has been one of the faculty advisors for visual arts submissions to “Inscape” since 1995. She said there were more than 150 visual arts submissions for this year’s edition.
“’Inscape’ has a phenomenal history at MSU (64 years), the first issue going back to 1957. There is no theme; contributors can submit any work they wish. Literary and visual works have been incredibly diverse,” she said. “For example, in the future, people will look back on the 2021 issue and know that it was created during a worldwide pandemic. The human need to create and express, as well as to be part of a supportive community, is evident in this year’s journal and the six decades of its existence.”
Students who submit works to “Inscape” gain more from the experience than simply having their works featured in a juried publication; they learn to collaborate and accept constructive criticism, skills that will benefit them throughout their lives.
“Getting published is a really important opportunity. In addition, students gain self-esteem and confidence in their work and getting it out for people to experience, read or see,” Mesa-Gaido said. “There is support from other writers or visual artists and the larger community. It’s also a great addition to their resume or C.V.”
Junior Saule Golihue, an art major from Greenup County, won the first-place visual arts award for her sculpture “Hybrid Self-Portrait.” She said she heard about “Inscape” from her professors and said she is impressed by the amount of creative talent displayed in the journal.
“When I was looking through the book, once I got my copy, I was so shocked at all the amazing works that were submitted and weren’t placed over my own. There are so many talented people in the art building and this magazine covers that,” she said.
When choosing which pieces to submit for “Inscape,” Gollihue said she selected the pieces she was most proud of.
“As an art student, I can be very critical of my work and there are very few that I end up being proud of and not want to alter, so I chose my ceramic sculpture and two photographs,” she said. While the photos weren’t selected for publication, she said she was surprised when she found out her sculpture had earned the top visual arts prize.
“I felt so honored to place first and I didn’t think that it would place at all,” Gollihue said. “I should’ve entered before this past year and definitely will this next year.”
A showcase reception is held each spring, but COVID-19 restrictions meant this year’s reception was held virtually. Literary winners read their works and the names of the visual arts winners were announced April 22.
For more information, visit www.moreheadstate.edu/inscape or make a gift to the “Inscape” fund to support future publications.
To view the current issue and past issues, visit the CCL archives at https://scholarworks.moreheadstate.edu/inscape_magazine_archive.
