PAC students empowered through arts and literature

Celebrating and sharing student art and literature can offer a glimpse of how students interpret global issues and can provide a rich perspective on their own personal experiences. Palo Alto College offers many opportunities for students to showcase their creative talents while providing hands-on learning through real-world applications and processes.

The Eleven Rivers Review – Palo Alto College's student literary and arts journal, which launched in 2015 – is produced annually by student writers, artists, and volunteer student editors and provides students an opportunity to learn valuable skills for their portfolios. The journal's name references the history of the College, which began with buildings named after rivers in Texas, such as Frio Hall, Guadalupe Hall, and Medina Hall.

The journal is entirely comprised of Palo Alto College student submissions, including photography, illustrations, poetry, short stories, and more. A team of student editors are empowered to curate and edit the content, allowing them to learn the craft of writing and artistic expression while also learning about the publishing and promotion process. Copies of the journals then make their way onto the bookshelves at the Palo Alto College bookstore to be sold in support of the program.

The first edition of the Eleven Rivers Review was published in 2015, and this year, the Eleven Rivers Review placed second for Best Overall Magazine (Southwestern Division) in the 2018-2019 Community College Humanities Association National Literary Magazine Contest. While Palo Alto College student writers and artists have been recognized in previous years for individual awards, this is the first time the journal as a whole has been recognized.

In November, the Eleven Rivers Review will host a special exhibition titled "Eleven Rivers [P]Review", featuring student art and writings selected for the Spring 2019 issue. Student works will be on display in our ProjectSPACE Gallery in Concho Hall from Nov. 12-26, 2018. A free reception with student artists will be held on Thursday, Nov. 15, at 4 p.m. in the gallery.

Creating a synergy around the arts and providing alternative learning experiences for students can help them realize their potential. For almost 35 years ago, Palo Alto College has been and continues to be a place of hope for the surrounding community. By serving the needs of students first, the College strives to provide students and the community exceptional learning opportunities, so they may achieve their aspirations for a better life.