News

Spanish Magazine "Azahares" Now Available

The 2012 edition of "Azahares," the Spanish language literary magazine at the University of Arkansas - Fort Smith, features the work of 26 individuals from campus and the community.

Mary Sobhani of Fort Smith, Spanish instructor in the Department of World Languages and managing editor of the magazine, said because of the quality and volume of artwork and photography in this edition, the Editorial Board decided to have color pages within the publication – a first for "Azahares" in its fifth year of publication.

"This year, we were particularly impressed with a stunning poem by Christian Angulo, a high school student from Rogers," Sobhani said. "His poem, titled 'Libre,' is a favorite – powerful and evocative."

The primary purpose of "Azahares" is to provide students and community members with an arena for creative expression in the Spanish language, as well as a literary space for writing that presents the themes of the Latino experience.

"For the reader," Sobhani said, "it can be an introduction to the beauty of the Spanish language and the culture of the Spanish-speaking world within our own community."

Other works of note mentioned by Sobhani as standout entries are photographs by UAFS student Jennifer Verkamp, taken during her travels to Costa Rica, and original artwork submitted by Elaine Bieber and Jorge Mendoza.

"Azahares 2012" was designed by Laura Wattles of Fort Smith, a graphic designer in the Marketing and Communications Office. The publication includes artwork, short stories, photography, essays and poetry.

The magazine takes its name from the azahar or orange blossom, a flower of special meaning and forms part of the iconic tradition of the Spanish-speaking world.

Sobhani said copies of this year's magazine are available free of charge at the UAFS Boreham Library as well as at all of the Fort Smith Public Library branches.

Included in the publication are works by:

Alma: Regina Holsted.

Charleston: Eric Michael McGuyer and Jennifer Verkamp.

Clarksville: Claudia Stacey Rios.

Fort Smith: Marta Elena Bran, Misty Masterson Dobson, Whitney Hale, Laura Iraheta, Stephanie Longley, Andrea Lucas, Claudia Martinez, Randy McRoberts and Brenda M. Ross.

Greenwood: Natasha Martin.

Harrison: Elaine M. Bieber.

Miami, Fla.: Jorge Mendoza.

Muldrow, Okla.: Teri Anglen.

Rogers: Christian Angulo, Gabriela Albarran, Ashley Lopez, Anais Morfin, Cristian Reyes and Kevin Rodas.

Roland, Okla.: Heather Wheeler.

Van Buren: Hannah Richmond and Lavonda Womack.