Aura, UAB's literary arts review, publishes talented writers and
artists in Alabama. With over 144 pages in this issue, Aura offers quality poetry, short fiction, creative nonfiction, and visual artwork. For more information about Aura, see the editor's introduction reprinted below.
Editor’s Introduction
Miyomoto Musashi said: "There can be no letup in your study, regardless of the path you choose, even though you may have mustered a particular level. You must search constantly for still more understanding of your chosen art."
... And that is what artists do. Artists learn. And then artists apply what is learned to what they do. We can master what we do, but still, it is never over with. We constantly work to strive for perfection in everything we set our minds to, and to keep stability in our craft. The writter may paint and make music. The painter may make music and write. The musician may write and paint. Regardless, there is always something artists take aim for. Why artists do what they do can never to answered in a common response. Artists create art because there are battles to be fought or peace to be made. There are stands to be taken or failures to be recollected. Their is love to be acknowledged and anger to vent. There is the constant search for difficult answers to difficult questions, and so on. The only common response is to the question of what is being done. Creation is what is done.
Various writers, poets and artists from the Romantic Period in England constantly argued over what was considered sublime, beautiful, and picturesque. They made trips to ancient Scottish castles; they traveled throgh vast forests on rich men's estates and explored the ruined Tintern Abbey, searching for the place or the object that would be the paragon of beauty and sublimity. But today we know that so much more is found when one simply looks arounr. Here is in this state we have produced more artists than most people can guess. We have seen beauty of sublimity in our own rights through experience and observation. And no two experiences are the same—what is disheartening to one is beautiful to another. In this collection is the collision, the fusion, and the picturesque in perfection through experience and emotion.
Artist are what they are. They learn. They pursue their craft. That is what artists do.
This issue showcases many of the true
talents in Alabama including established writers and artists. Poets
featured include Alicia K. Clavell, Jason Slatton, F.M. Bradley, Jazmund Walker, Sky Joiner, Ambretta Pippens, Jennifer Crossley, Jennifer Watkins, Tom Gordon, Mather Schneider, Robert Michael O'Hearn, Frederick Davis Lanetta Moss, Norman Ard, B.Z.Niditch., J.C. Mahan, Stephen O. Glosecki, Jonathan Scott. Creative Nonfiction contributors are: Jonathan Scott, Beth Delaney, Jennifer Crossley, Jacob Melvin. Fiction authors include F.M. Bradley and Stephen O. Glosecki. "The Poetry of Olav H. Hauge" is translated by Stephen O. Glosecki Artists in the Summer 2007 issue include Michele Bartl, Nathaniel Bartl, Bethany Johnson, Jonathan Hicks, Nik Layman, James Hause, Amy Kilpatrick, Nathan Prewett, Tiago Herring, Chelsea Sims, Rebecca Sims, Melissa Singleton, Brent Scrivner, Liz Reed,Joshua Shoemaker, Jackson Echols, Molly Folse, Allison Bliss, Brandi Burke, Mary Thompson, Timothy Dorothy, Yu-Hui Huang, Stephanie Sides, Jillian Woodruff, Elizabeth Park, Robert Belcher and Trisha McCory.
Front Cover art by Allison Bliss.
Rear Cover art by Erin Heath.
Art and literature in Alabama. With our new focus, Aura is devoted to supporting the artistic and literary communities in Alabama. As a forum to showcase work and share ideas, we also plan to be active in hosting/participating in various artistic and literary activities. (Look for an Aura-hosted art show or literature reading near you.) Though still in development, we aim for our website to be a destination for aspiring and established writers and artists—a place to receive feedback on their work and to provide the same helpful constructive criticism for others. We hope you share our recognition that art and literature is alive and kicking in Alabama but continues to need the nurturing support of an appreciative audience and community. Thank you for your support and I hope you enjoy this issue.
