Portal 2014 Cover by Reese Patterson
By contributor Jennifer Cox
It takes a village to raise a child, and the 2015 Portal magazine publishing class is a close-knit village that works collaboratively to create a full-colour 98-page literary magazine showcasing the writing, photography, art, and graphic design of talented VIU students.
A large part of the early planning stage involves fundraising; money is a driving force to carry our literary and artistic creations through the production process.
Fundraising is also a great team-building exercise. The class has baked and sold cupcakes and cookies, hosted a Halloween photo booth contest complete with wacky props, brought friends together at Koncept Nightclub for a Mathletes and Athletes fundraising event, and is in the process of gathering an assortment of donations for their Beer & Burger Silent Auction event at Old City Station Pub, on November 23 from 6-9 pm.
Area businesses have been generous with silent auction items, including weekend passes to Vancouver Island MusicFest 2015, and gift packages from Shelter Point Distillery, Scorpios Hair Design, Starbucks, and more.
First published in 1991, Portal has secured a prominent place in the Canadian literary scene and provided a platform to showcase feature interviews with the annual Gustafson Chair of Poetry, including well-known Canadian poets such as this year’s chair, Katherena Vermette. These writers share their passion for the industry while providing goal posts that emerging writers can strive towards, along with the encouragement that every story, every poem had to start some- where. Portal is a magazine of literary beginnings, encouraging student writers to submit their work for publication. It is a step- ping-stone to the wider world of literary magazines, book publications, and awards that lie around the corner.
None of this would be possible without the generous support of advertisers, donors, and student fundraising. This is what Portal members will be celebrating on November 23. The evening is a great opportunity to spend time with old friends, and make new ones. It’s also a chance to get a jump start on holiday shopping at the silent auction table, tradition- ally brimming with goodies.
Tickets to the Beer & Burger night include a veggie or beef burger, fries, and beer for $15 and can be purchased through any Portal 2015 member. There will also be a limited number of tickets available at the door. For more information, visit their Facebook.
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