On Friday, October 27th the 10th edition of Seminary of the Southwest’s literary and visual arts journal, Soul by Southwest, was released. The community celebrated with a release party hosted in the new Bishop Dena A. Harrison Library and in the Center for Writing and the Arts.
Dr. Claire Colombo, Director of the Center for Writing and the Arts shared, “It was such a joy to welcome this special community of artists — both longtime contributors and newcomers to Soulby — into our beautiful new library and writing center spaces. Experiencing their artworks ‘live’ through the exhibit and readings was moving both for the journal staff and for the artists themselves. I am so grateful that, under Dean Kittredge’s leadership, Southwest has become a place that values and makes room for this unique ministry to creative souls.”
This year’s journal theme, semaphore, is a way of communicating that creates visual signals transmitted over large distances. Dr. Claire Colombo wrote in the foreword of the journal, “We invoke semaphore as this edition’s theme because it helps us to acknowledge the power of art and language to connect us across the distances of time and space. The words and images featured across the ten years and ten editions of Soul by Southwest have done this sort of work. They have represented and connected Southwest alums from different graduating classes; students, faculty, and staff from different quadrants of campus; and artists and writers from different dioceses, cities, and walks of life.” Seminary of the Southwest practices Beloved Community through this journal by helping connect the community and encourage the making and sharing of art. 
Along with the release of the print and digital versions of the journal, art submitted by contributors was displayed around the Harrison Library Learning Commons. Attendees were able to view pieces from photographs, canvas paintings, and mixed media art. The seminary’s own Dean and President, the Very Rev. Cynthia Briggs Kittredge, and Fred Clement, Executive Vice President and CFO, contributed two beautiful pieces of art for all to enjoy.
Half way through the event Dr. Claire Colombo shared her thanks and appreciation to all those who contributed art and poetry to the journal and invited contributors to read their poems aloud from the 10th edition of Soul by Southwest.
The Very Rev. Cynthia Briggs Kittredge, shared, “To celebrate the tenth Soul by Southwest with the poets, artists, and guests in the Harrison Library Learning Commons was the realization of a long held dream. The spirit of creativity enlivened and connected everyone who attended. New friendships were kindled as we shared in the exhibits and the reading. I am grateful to Dr. Claire Colombo for her sustained commitment to this vision and her gracious hospitality.”
The digital version of the 10th edition of Soul by Southwest can be viewed on Open Book. Please visit the Center for Writing and the Arts in the Harrison Library to pick up a print copy of the journal.
