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!