By Wilfredo Razo
Three Wright Side members, Gemma Ffrench, Sarah Brenig, and Carlos Carmona, share their remarkable experiences. They discuss the release party for their “Warped Nostalgia” publication and a previous Open Mic.
The project has taken longer than expected due to missing a printer deadline. The Wright Side 2024 publication has been printed and will be published on December 11th, 2024.
(Gemma leads weekly Tuesday meetings. Photo credit Jenin Hattab)
The Wright Side’s new editor-in-chief, Gemma Ffrench, said, "When I first joined, it felt like something that they were really looking for.” Ffrench added, “I ended up loving it so much. I have been, you know, trying to help out with the magazine as much as I can.”
(Sarah Brenig spoke regarding her accomplishments at the meeting. Photo credit Jenin Hattab)
Another Wright Side member, Sarah Brenig, stated, “I am actually pretty new to the Wright Side. I am involved with Stagewright, which often partners with the Wright Side because there is a huge overlap with members.”
(Carlos reviewed his pictures throughout the meeting. Photo Credit: Jenin Hattab)
Carlos Carmona, Wright Side editor, second in command, said, “I was encouraged by other wonderful artists like Gemma to support the Wright Side and bring my art in. I am very insecure about my art.”
Ffrench noted that the 2024-2025 publication’s theme is “Warped Nostalgia.” Carmona said, “If the art gives that vibe and feeling of nostalgia, then I think it is welcome to be in the magazine.” He added, “I think that is pretty open-ended. Nostalgia could be twenty years ago. It could be nostalgia for yesterday.”
Ffrench said, “This year, [the Wright Side] has a Google form that others can fill out for the 2025 submission. The form will ask anybody for their name and e-mail.”
(Here is the QR code to submit your work. Photo Credit: Wilfredo Razo)
Any kind of art printed in a booklet, such as writing, poems, visual arts, short stories, and plays, is welcome. Once submitted, the Wright Side members will review it in a democratic process to determine what will be in the magazine to match the theme.
Ffrench stated, “The people who have worked on or submitted their art to the magazine get priorities by getting a physical copy from us.” The only submissions that are not accepted are fan art and AI-generated art.
The 2023-2024 Wright Side magazine release party is on December 11th at 5 p.m. in the TV studio E110, which is open to everyone. Performances from students to do an open mic, no registration needed.
While the Wright Side members prepared for its upcoming publication, they hosted an Open Mic on Nov. 13th. Ffrench commented, “The Open Mics are opportunities for artists who want a safe, welcoming place to perform their work.”
Ffrench said, “The Wright Side hosts Open Mics once a month and sees that they get enough attention. Once a month is a good schedule. This Open Mic is the second I have done as editor-in-chief. I had the first Open Mic in October, which gained more traction than I was expecting.”
(Mikeal singing a song that he wrote. Photo Credit: Wilfredo Razo)
The Wright Side welcomed Wilbur Wright students to showcase their talents for the Open Mic. Mikeal, Daniel, and Ahzanna are the few interviewees who talked about their performances.
Mikeal said, “Open Mics are opportunities for people to show their songs, poems, scripts, and other talents. The song I sang today is something I made out of the blue. That music is mostly about telling another person that you will do everything for them.”
(Daniel and Carson singing a Disney song. Photo Credit: Wilfredo Razo)
Daniel stated, “I wanted to get on a mic and sing to a bunch of strangers. I wanted to step outside of my comfort zone. My friends have done Open Mics a few times, and they inspired me to try them. My message is to try new things you do not do daily because you might discover something you like.”
(Ahzanna reading her poetry. Photo Credit: Wilfredo Razo)
Ahzanna said, “Open Mic is an opportunity to express any art form. A lot of people like to sing and do comedy. I like to do poetry. My feelings for others inspired me to write poetry. I always end up writing love poems sometimes. The message of my poem is that the heart is capable of many things.”
The Wright Side can address any further questions or concerns. Everyone can contact the Wright Side through their email address: thewrightside25@gmail.com
Comments