Phoenix - Art & Literary Magazine
Valencia College's West Campus art and literature magazine, the Phoenix, features art, poetry, and prose from some of Valencia's most talented students.
The 2022-23 issue is currently available! You can also pick up your FREE issue in the lobbies of most West Campus buildings
now & on some campuses in Communications & Arts Division offices.
Can't find one? Contact Professor Jackie Zuromski (3-143) or Professor Meg Curtiss (3-150a).
The winners of the Student Development Cash Awards for "TRUTH" (2024)
On behalf of the editors, designers, and the faculty advisers of Phoenix magazine at Valencia College, we would like to congratulate the following winning entries in our annual Phoenix magazine submissions contest, sponsored by funding from Student Development. These student's have earned a cash prize as well as a promise of publication in our 2023-24 issue—published in May and available widely in Fall term.
All pieces are chosen anonymously by student editors and graphic designers:
CREATIVE NONFICTION
1st place ($100):
“Nanny Loves Onions,” by Britt Shewell, East
2nd place ($50):
“How I Wore My Hats,” by Donna Foster, Winter Park
FICTION
1st place ($100):
“An Elephant Goes over the Waterfall,” by Adam Scharf, Downtown
2nd Place ($50):
“Just Like Soulmates,” by Lin Diaz, Osceola
POEM
1st Place ($100):
“My Twisted, Mundane Mind,” by Celestina Ah-Wong, West
2nd Place ($50):
“From a Rested Place,” Snousha Glaude, Downtown
ART
1st Place (tie $75 each):
“Untitled,” by Arina Russanova, (oil, 9x12), West
1st Place (tie, ($75 each):
“Left Behind,” by Stephanie Restrepo, (mixed media, 9x11), West
2nd Place ($50):
“Memento Mori ,” by Melanie Quinones, (pencil), Osceola
Check out our announcement in our ENGAGE page.
Winners of the Student Development Cash Awards for 2025 Phoenix: Multiverse
CREATIVE NONFICTION
1st place ($100):
“My Utopia,” by Feili Lin, West
(No second place)
FICTION
1st place ($100):
“Breakdown in Aisle Five,” by Julia Nagy, East
2nd Place ($50):
“The Memory Man,” by Sarah Ward, East
POEM
1st Place (opt to stay an editor):
“Nail Polish Nostalgia,” by Joeli Gutierrez, West
1st Place (new) ($100):
“the photograph,” Anna Karolyne Pereira Correa, West
2nd Place (new) ($50):
“Code of Conduct,” by Nina Iapichino, West
ART
1st Place ($100):
“Self Growth,” by Selma Johnson, (digital), Osceola
2nd Place ($50):
“This Is Me,” by Daniel Pina, (digital), Osceola
Get Published! Earn Money!
Courtesy of Student Development, a $100 prize will be awarded the best entry in each
of the following four categories: Nonfiction, Fiction, Poetry, and Art.
We had so many amazing submissions for our upcoming issue it was hard to judge the
winners. Thank you to all who submitted your art and literary works! The next issue
is currently in the works! If you submitted work please check your Valencia email
to see if your work was selected for publishing. Award winners, please check your
Valencia email to learn more about your award.
To enter your work or become part of the team that puts the publication together click here.
Magazine Publishing Schedule
| Aug-mid Oct: | Actively seeking student writing submissions for contest/current issue (NOTE: submissions are accepted all year) |
| Aug-mid Dec: | Actively seeking student art submissions for contest (NOTE: submissions are accepted all year) |
| Mid Oct-Dec: | Editors are evaluating and selecting literature and art |
| Dec-Jan: | Emails go out to contributors with selected pieces |
| Jan-Apr: |
Student Designers finalize design and do magazine layout |
| May: |
Phoenix is printed; distribution begins |
The Phoenix wants to
publish YOUR creative work!
Review the guidelines
and submit your entry TODAY!