Event Coverage: The iliad Creative Celebration

Above: APPRECIATING ART: CCHS students observe the iliad Creative Celebration at Nuçi’s Space on Aug. 26. Scarlett Alston, a freshman, attended the event to celebrate her art piece “Blurry Vision,” which was published in “Prometheus.” “It’s definitely important to acknowledge the arts and the work people put into (art),” Alston said. “(Art), is just cool and hard to do and (so) I think it should be appreciated.” Photo by Grady Dunston

The iliad Literary-Art Magazine commemorated the release of its 2024 edition, “Prometheus,” through a celebratory event at Nuçi’s Space on Aug. 26. 

In celebration of the 2024 edition “Prometheus” and Clarke Central High School’s student body, the iliad Literary-Art Magazine hosted its annual Creative Celebration at Nuçi’s Space on Aug. 26.   

The event showcased 10 works featured in the iliad’s latest edition, along with live music performances from the CCHS Honor Chamber Strings Quintet, and a local band, Women in STEM. For iliad Editor-in-Chief Olivia Hendershot, the night was a success. 

“I’m really happy that my Ed. Board and I got to work together during this event,” Hendershot said. “(It’s) a good way to get the word out there about who we are and what we need as a school publication.”

After Hendershot’s opening remarks, she gave way to several CCHS students to perform their published work. These ranged from poetry, letters and musical compositions. After a short break, the CCHS Honor Chamber Strings Quintet performed a classical piece followed by contemporary music for the crowd of nearly 50. 

Above: PLAYING FOR PERSPECTIVE: CCHS juniors, Julissa Zuniga (left) and Kameron Davis (right) perform during the iliad Creative Celebration at Nuçi’s space on Aug. 26. Zuniga is a part of the CCHS Honor Chamber Strings, and attended the event to play in the Honor Chamber Strings Quintet. “I liked the event. I got to hear about other people’s perspectives,” Zuniga said. “I really liked hearing other people's poems, and then playing was super fun.” Photo by Grady Dunston 

Carla Williams, a teacher at Cleveland Road Elementary School, attended the event to support her daughter, Gillian, who was performing. 

“Creative space is huge and we don’t always have it in the school building,” Williams said. “This is an amazing space where students get a chance to share what they have and I think that’s very important.”

During intermissions, attendees could also view a display of artwork from artists featured in “Prometheus.”

“It’s important that we give all of the artists featured in our magazine a spotlight, the art exhibit was a great and interactive way to do that,” iliad Managing Editor Victoria Garland said. “There were parents and students taking interest in the creations on display, which was inspiring to know that our community cares.”

Above: PREVAILING SUCCESS: Gillian Williams, a junior, speaks at the iliad Creative Celebration at Nuçi’s space on Aug. 26. The iliad Editorial Board planned the event over the course of August. “I’m very grateful for everyone that worked to put this thing together,” iliad Editor-in-Chief Olivia Hendershot said. “I feel hopeful for the school year (and) I’m ready to see a lot more students submit to this year’s magazine.” Photo by Grady Dunston

More poetry and performances followed, and the night concluded with a set of both original and covers from Women in STEM. For the band’s bassist Sam Caspary, the event was a celebratory one. 

“It was so much fun to perform at the iliad Creative Celebration and see students in the crowd uplifting artists from the Clarke Central community,” Caspary said. “Music provides me with a creative outlet to express my feelings and share with others.”

The event doubled as a fundraiser for the iliad. Attendees were able to purchase T-shirts as well as “Prometheus” magazines during the program. The Editorial Board has a fundraising goal of $4,000 for the year and encouraged both submissions to the magazine, and donations to fund this year’s edition.

“This year’s creative celebration was a good tone-setter for the year. We’re going into magazine production and continuing to market and connect with our community while building our brand,” Garland said. “We’re looking forward to more events during the year whether that’s an author visit or events where we partner with the Media Center or Willson Center.”

Story by Niles Flath

Niles Flath is a junior at Clarke Central High School in Athens Georgia. She serves as Outreach Director for the iliad Literary-Art Magazine. Flath hopes to make connections with creators both inside and outside the CCHS walls and showcase their work through the iliad program. In her free time, she likes playing tennis, swimming, and hanging out with friends.