Essence Fine Arts and Literary Magazine is a collaborative effort of Kutztown University students who share and express personal feelings, philosophies, and views through the artistic media of photography, illustration, life drawing, painting, fine metals, sculpture, crafts, poetry and short stories. The works contained within (this publication) are considered, by the Essence staff members, to be some fine examples of creative art and literary expression of Kutztown students.

In its 19th year, I was honored to partake in this legacy, and become  faculty design advisor for this 2012 issue. The project begins in the fall when the literary staff puts a call out for submissions; the design staff follows suit in the spring, seeking fine art submissions. After jurying, the design staff gets to work; creating a layout that supports their concept, while successfully integrating all of the art and literary works accepted. 

The result is a beautifully designed, 32-page publication; 3000 copies are printed and distributed throughout campus and the downtown area. Capping off the two-semester effort, is the finale, a launch party at Eckhaus Gallery.

Designers Rachel Hickey and Jenn Haskins crafted a statement that summarized their inspiration for this year's design: "The word. Essence as light captures the definition of essence as, the intrinsic nature or indispensable quality of something, especially something abstract, that determines its character. Light is the root of how we see, how we interpret, how we discover and most importantly how we experience life. The background photography is heavily influenced by the photographer Uta Barth. As our inspiration developed, we hoped to capture various environments that surround us by transforming them from the recognizable to the mere essence of the space."

I would like to take the time to acknowledge the hardworking 2012 staff: Senior Designers: Jenn Haskins, and Rachel Hickey for their wonderful concept and beautiful design; Co-Editor's: Philip Baily and Kyle Yadlosky; Secretary: Caitlin Romascavage; Treasurer and Junior Designer: Lenny Marchica; as well as Literary Advisor: Dr. Tony Bleach; and Professor Kate Clair  ( on sabbatical this semester, her role as design advisor for the past 18 years has made this organization a success).

The Essence staff expresses appreciation to all its contributors and readers for sharing in this student publication.

We invite everyone to attend the launch party at Eckhaus Gallery, 157 Main Street, Kutztown, tonight from 7-9pm. 

-CG

(above) poster design for launch party, designer: Lenny Marchica

(below) cover and interior spreads from the 32-page publication, designers: Jenn Haskins, Rachel Hickey

(left) Jason Rowles: Memorial Chamber, Pricetown, Pa. 2011, Oil;  Amy Patt: "What Occupies My Dreams" 

(right) Gillian Beck: Tacazze Sunbird, Watercolor; Olive Pegler: "When A Hearts Of No Use"

(below, left) Jacob McCauley, Nowhere In Kutztown; Katie Marrone, "The Box"

(below, right) Diana Balderson: Is That George Washington or Is It Your Grandmother?, Oil; Amanda Glenlast: "Not So Hopeless After All"

(below, left) Daniel Warnander: Untitled, Intaglio Etching; Devin Shingle: "Sunday"; (right) Amanda Quevedo, Identity, Photograph

(below, left) Daniel Green: Conflict, Linocut; Janna Adams: "The Trend"

(below, right) Katie Hosler: Reclining Nude, Acrylic & Oil; Caitlin Romascavage:"Exhale"