Tallahassee Community College’s art and literary magazine is celebrating its 40th year. The Eyrie magazine student staff is sorting through creative pieces submitted by TCC students and preparing for publication. The award-winning magazine is produced by TCC students with help from the Adviser Nicolette Costantino.
In 1981, two TCC students proposed the idea of a magazine appreciating the artistic and literary efforts of the college’s community to the TCC Director of the Division of Fine Arts. Since then, the magazine has allowed students to submit their art and literary work.
Constantino said she became the Eyrie adviser nine years ago because of her past experiences working on the literary magazine when she went to college at Florida Gulf Coast University.
“I took on the role because I had background experience with being published and working on a team to publish others’ work.” Constantino said. “As a college student, having my writing published was very special, and I wanted to continue supporting college students having that same honor.”
This past 2020 edition maintained the award-winning record receiving a wide range of recognition. The Columbia Scholastic Press Association awarded the edition with a silver medalist certificate and a gold award from the Association of Florida Colleges Awards of Excellence. While also receiving first place in three different areas, second place in two different areas, and third place in three different areas as from the Florida College System Publications Association.
The World of South Festival will be hosting the unveiling of the 2021 Eyrie at Cascades Park on Saturday April 10 at noon. The Eyrie Staff and genre winners will present the 40th edition of the art and literary magazine on Flamingo Stage.
This year’s lead editor Jessica Hinthorn played a major role in this year’s production with tasks from creating written content to organizing presentations. The process of being lead editor has been a benefitting experience for her.
“Taking on Lead Editor of the 40th edition of The Eyrie has taught and tested me more practically for my future career than any class I have taken in my time at TCC.” said Hinthorn. “This position is truly the first stepping stone into my future.”
The first edition was published with the motto of “quality, good taste, and creativity” which has been accomplished through the staff and TCC student submissions. Anyone with passions in art and creative writing along with skills in proofreading and editing can enroll in the spring semester course JOU2440L Literary Magazine Production.
Constantino has kept returning for the adviser position mainly in part to her students.
“The creative process and the students keep me coming back,” Nicolette said. “Making a magazine is a unique experience every time, and the students always come to it with fresh energy and ideas.
