As part of the Spring Arts and Culture Festival, students came together in Room 108 of the Student Center to celebrate student creativity at the Nucleus Release Party and Open Mic Poetry Reading.
Students who were published in the 2025-26 issue of the Nucleus literary journal were invited to read aloud from their work during the event, which took place from noon to 1:15 p.m. Other students were welcome to share poetry, fiction, or creative nonfiction during an open mic session. After the readings, there was a reception where attendees could pick up copies of the journal’s printed edition.
A range of student voices and writing styles were showcased at the event. Some readers shared their personal stories or historical narratives, while others shared poems and short stories that ranged from humorous to emotional.
Students were able to experience literature both on the written page and through live performances thanks to the passionate and emotional delivery of each speaker’s work.
First-year NWACC student Beth Jennings shared one of her poems and took part in the reading.
Jennings said that she was inspired to attend and read her work in public by her participation in campus writing programs.
“I am part of the creative writing club and in the creative writing class and helping with the literary journal,” Jennings said. “It sounded fun and a good way to celebrate the writing of others.”
Jennings said it was her first time taking part in an open mic reading, even with her involvement in campus writing.
“Yes, it’s my first open mic,” Jennings said. “I did have fun and loved hearing other pieces.”
Jennings’ poem, which was about tomatoes, illustrated the event’s encouragement of artistic freedom. The work suggested how student writers can transform commonplace subjects into creative poetry by fusing humor with reflective imagery.
Hunter Lawrence, author of “Devotion,” is also the Vice President of the Creative Writing Club and encourages students to take part in the club. Lawrence said, “Come as you are…Be bold.” Lawrence drew inspiration for his poem from personal experience of unrequited love as a gay man. Lawrence explained those experiences will allow individuals to “Gain power.”
The event and the range of stories told were also well received by the audience.
A student who attended the reading, Emely Sosa, stated that she first went for extra credit.
Despite extra credit being a motivator for attending, Sosa said that the event’s creative pieces made it stand out. “My favorite story was the proposal,” Sosa remarked.
The open mic and reading also celebrated the release of Nucleus, NWACC’s student literary journal designed especially to showcase the creative work of students.
According to information on the Nucleus Literary Magazine website, NWACC students have been working on the Hive Avenue Literary Journal since 2019, which publishes work from writers and students across the country. However, instructors and students desired to produce a magazine devoted to showcasing NWACC students’ artistic abilities.
Fiction, poetry, creative nonfiction, art, graphic design, and photography are all welcome to submit to the journal.
The concept of a hub for creativity within the campus community is reflected in the name Nucleus.
In beekeeping, a nucleus hive is a small starter hive used to begin a new bee colony, symbolizing the beginning of a new creative space for student artists and writers.
The journal, according to its organizers, serves as a platform for exhibiting student creativity and creating a long-lasting tradition within the NWACC community.
Professor Lara Candland teaches Creative Writing 1 and 2 at NWACC as well as being the faculty advisor for the Creative Writing Club. Candland has authored 2 poetry books and is currently producing a novel. Candland said she was proud of her students. As an educator, Candland said, it “feels great to see how her students’ work has evolved.” If you are interested in submitting your work, you may go to hiveavenue.wixsite.com/nucleuslitmag or contact Professor Candland at [email protected]
The college’s annual Spring Arts and Culture Festival, a week-long celebration with a range of artistic and cultural events throughout campus, includes events like the Nucleus release party.
The event gave students a chance to publish their work and speak directly to their peers by combining a journal release, student readings, and an open mic session. For many attendees, the event provided a friendly environment for writers to express themselves and showcased the creativity found within the NWACC student body.
