The annual launch of a magazine published by university students will go ahead now that the Vancouver Island University strike is settled.
Portal magazine, a collection of VIU student work, launches today (April 21), 7-9 p.m., in the Royal Arbutus Room at the university. The launch is open to the public.
The annually produced magazine features new literary and visual work from VIU students. A new layout and design enhances and complements the works inside and costs $2 less than previous years.
The recent strike action was an unexpected twist for the Portal team that raised a few questions about the fate of the magazine.
But the students stayed positive and the strike ended just in time for the launch to be rescheduled.
This edition of Portal features an interview with Canadian poet Don McKay, who was the 2010 Ralph and Betty Gustafson Chair of Poetry. He delivered two inspiring poetry readings at the University in October of last year. It will also feature the winners of the postcard prose contest.
To celebrate the official unveiling, the Portal team has put together a catered evening of readings, music, and other entertainment, including a special guest author. Awards from the Creative Writing department will also be presented and there are door prizes to be won by those who purchase a copy of the magazine.
Since 1991, Portal has been put together by a dedicated class of VIU creative writing students who have a hand in all aspects of creating the magazine – selecting the writing and art pieces, making design decisions, working one-on-one with contributors on editing, selling ads and distributing the magazine.
The class combines learning how to put together a literary magazine while producing a high-quality publication.