As the spring semester begins, Asbury students united at Drinklings to enjoy free drinks, conversation and a tight-knit community to celebrate the 64th edition of The Asbury Review titled “Dry Bones.” Students were not the only attendees of this event as alumni, professors and others from the Wilmore community packed into this cozy coffee shop to hear from the students who contributed poetry, screenplays, artwork and more. With over 60 pages of content in this thin booklet, there are a variety of stories unique to each student’s expressive talent that we were privileged to hear at the launch party.
Video created by Stone Thompson.
As people were buzzing in and out of the coffee shop and waiting in line for their free coffee, contributors took the time to read aloud what they had submitted, sharing the backstory or context of their piece to present the audience with just a small yet impactful piece of their artistic knack.
Those who attended made sure to take up every corner of Drinklings, standing side by side or sitting on windowsills to show their support for The Asbury Review staff and contributors who boldly presented their pieces to their fellow students and the other community members. As Dr. Erin Penner, an English professor at Asbury, stated, “This is the biggest part of campus.” It truly did feel like a distinct type of community that is hard to find elsewhere.
Geneva Wise, a contributor to and reader for the Review, stated, “I love the Review because it’s a great place for creative people on campus to have an outlet to share what they’re making.” Sharing similar sentiments was reader and spectator Jimmy Hale, who said, “I really like how [we have] the opportunity to hear from the poets and all the writers, and their insights into their own work. I find it really helps me to connect with their stories.”
Editor-in-Chief Klara Kinman made a comment about the unique community of the Review, remarking, “I love the Review because I feel like it’s a great way to bring creative people together, not just people who are creative writing or English [majors], but people from all over campus. And I think the launch party is great because you can see everybody from all over campus, like students and faculty, showing up for that.” Kinman has been working on the Review since her sophomore year at Asbury, starting as a writer and now working her way up to the top as Editor-in-Chief.
Tiffany Rutledge, Poetry Editor, commented on her poem titled “Tangible,” stating that she gained inspiration “from the times I have had panic attacks and the things that my friends have taught me to bring myself back to reality. So that’s why the last part is ‘ground yourself. You cannot be the same person twice.’”
Rutledge also expressed her love of the community and platform that the Review provides for students. Her position as Poetry Editor has given her the chance to workshop with people who were willing to “put themselves out there.”
“Dry Bones” is an expression and extensive combination of contributions from students, including stories about childhood, a perspective on Shakespeare, experiences with growth, grief, change and everything in between. Students who want to be a part of The Asbury Review and to find an outlet to express their creative aspirations can email their submissions to asbury.review@asbury.edu and check the submission guidelines on their Instagram page. Submissions close on Friday, Feb. 21 at midnight.
Article written by Molly Grimes.
Photo courtesy of the Asbury Review.
