“Vivid: The Fine Arts Magazine” launches
Creating anything from scratch takes time. We know that making homemade biscuits takes a lot longer than popping open a can of Pillsbury. But what about when you create a magazine from the ground up?
Students in Missouri Southern’s Department of Communication began forming ideas for what would become Vivid: The Fine Arts Magazine in April 2015.
“One of the struggles for Vivid includes the fact that we started from scratch,” said Molly Greer, assistant editor.
Led by now-retired Southern instructor Rhonda Clark, the group set out to “start from scratch.” The group created everything associated with a publication, choosing fonts, colors, logos, layout, and more. Students can join the staff by enrolling in the practicum.
“Putting together [our] first issue has been a real adventure,” said Olive Sullivan, assistant professor at Southern and editor of Vivid. “I am impressed at the student staff’s drive to produce a high-quality magazine.”
After eight months of designing, writing, interviewing, headaches and countless decisions, Vivid was unveiled to the Joplin community on Friday, Jan. 22.
“I am so proud of the work the Vivid staff and adviser [did] to create and produce such a quality product,” said Ward Bryant, chair of the department of communication at Southern. “The students were able to gain such an incredible experience generating a completely new magazine which deals with a subject matter that is important to the community.”
“I’m so excited about this magazine because it gives us an opportunity to highlight all the exciting cultural and artistic events that happen here in Joplin,” said Dr. Paula Carson, vice president of academic affairs and provost at Southern.
In addition to hors d’oeuvres and wine, the event featured musical entertainment by the Southern Jazz Ensemble and Justin Eves. Parker Leas and David Scheuerman of Midwest Regional Ballet performed a dance duet.
“I want to thank Olive for featuring my dance company in Vivid’s first edition,” said Kaye Lewis, artistic director of Midwest Regional Ballet. “I think it is fantastic that there is so much exposure for the arts in our community.”
Copies of the inaugural issue are available in the following locations on campus: Webster Hall, Hearnes Hall, Spiva Art Gallery (adjacent to Webster), Spiva Library, Lion’s Den, and Billingsly Student Center.
Copies will also be available at locations in downtown Joplin this week. For a listing of locations, visit the website at www.vividfinearts.com.
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