The University of Wisconsin-Platteville will celebrate the 20th anniversary of the literary magazine Spirit Lake Review, with a launch party on Wednesday, May 3, from 5-8 p.m. in Nohr Gallery, Ullsvik Hall, on the UW-Platteville campus. The event is open to the public and will feature contributor readings, live music and visual art displays.
Spirit Lake Review was founded by now retired UW-Platteville Baraboo Sauk County professor Kelly Dwyer in 2003. The annual student-run literary magazine was named after Baraboo’s popular landmark, Devil’s Lake State Park, which was known as “Spirit Lake” by the Ho-Chunk. For two decades, it has served as a significant creative outlet for the region, as well as an important learning tool for students, who produce the publication as part of the Literary Magazines class.
“As a literary magazine, Spirit Lake Review represents a celebration of the arts and creative endeavors,” said Dr. Kara Candito, associate professor of creative writing and English literature at UW-Platteville and the current faculty advisor of the magazine. “The annual issue of Spirit Lake Review showcases writing and visual art created by undergraduate students, faculty and staff, and members of the Platteville and Baraboo communities. It also showcases the work of nationally renowned writers and international visual artists. The Literary Magazines class provides students with a hands-on experience editing, producing and publishing a literary journal.”
The 20th anniversary issue marks the first time the Literary Magazines class has been offered on both the UW-Platteville main and Baraboo Sauk County campuses.
“Thematically, many pieces in the issue grapple with what it means to exist in a contemporary world that is mediated by technology,” said Candito about the forthcoming 20th anniversary issue.
For more information about Spirit Lake Review, visit www.spiritlakereview.com/.