Reconstructed: A Creative Outlet for the GSU Community

     Creativity shall always seek an outlet. With Governors State University's arts and literary journal, Reconstructed, students have an outlet to express their creativity.

     Founded by a few enterprising English students in conjunction with faculty advisor Dr. Christopher White, Reconstructed's initial aim was to showcase the artistic works of students, regardless of their major. As the staff looks towards the third issue of the journal, the mission statement remains focused on the open publication of artistic expression within the GSU community.

     At the very core of the journal, the motivation behind the Reconstructed name speaks to the diverse student body on campus. According to Kara Trojan, newly appointed Editor-in-Chief of Reconstructed, the moniker represents artistic opportunity and re-establishment similar to the educational opportunities GSU presents its students with.

      "[Based] on the student population at Governors State University, we are all here, for one reason or another (whether you have children, a full-time job, or are returning to school) to reconstruct ourselves," said Trojan. "Therefore, the literary magazine acts as an emotional, creative, and intellectual output for those who creatively express themselves at GSU. Our mission is to highlight the creative crowd [here] and show not only the rest of the student body, but also outsiders, that there is a burgeoning artistic community here at Governors State."

     As GSU anticipates its first freshman class, Reconstructed stands as a much-needed opportunity for students.

      "I think that Reconstructed gives many students and faculty, not only in [The College of Arts & Sciences], but also other disciplines, the opportunity to showcase their art," says Trojan. "We're a student-run and student-driven organization that wants to cater to the creative needs of Governors State."

     Both the horizons and staff of Reconstructed are expanding. The staff of Reconstructed has been hard at work in efforts to raise awareness of the journal on campus. On November 18, they will be hosting their first poetry reading in the Cafeteria Annex from 3:30-5:30pm. All are welcome to perform in what will be an open mic event. The poetry reading will provide a chance for students, faculty, staff, and alumni to participate and showcase their writing.

     In the coming months, the Reconstructed staff is also planning a weekly newsletter, a blog roll on the site that will showcase writings from their off-campus Writer's Workshop group, more public reading events, and a possible collaboration between the journal and GSU's Art Forum. Trojan and staff are also planning for a Civil Rights-related event next April in which the team will collaborate with other departments.

     "In the spring semester, we're planning a social justice event with Dr. Larry Levinson in which we will not only host a public reading, but present some art, films, and storytelling," says Trojan.  

     Reconstructed is currently accepting submissions for its Spring 2014 issue. The deadline for submissions is November 28. Reconstructed accepts submissions in poetry, short fiction, creative non-fiction, visual art, and short films. Please send all submissions to Reconstructed@govst.edu. All guidelines and other information can be found on the Reconstructed website as well as their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/gsureconstructedjournal.