Find Your Muse with Calliope A gaze into the hearts and minds of Chapman students.

From writing a famous short story to bonding over animation and film, Chapman University offers an array of clubs to stimulate creativity, passion and community on campus. One of them includes Calliope Art & Literary Magazine, a student-run magazine created in 2006 to showcase a range of artistic voices from the Chapman community.

“Calliope gives students the chance to share their creative endeavors with the Chapman community in a professional setting. We strive to provide rewarding yet comfortable experiences to artists and writers just starting to dip their toes into the world of publishing,” says Kelly Taylor, editor-in-chief.

Calliope is published once every semester, at the end of fall and spring. The magazine accepts all genres of writing including fiction, poetry, screenwriting, playwriting and creative nonfiction, along with visual art that can be represented in print like photography, painting, digital art, and sculpture.

“By working with creators to polish their pieces and providing feedback for improvement, we are able to showcase a diverse range of high-quality work while encouraging students to take risks and try new things,” Taylor says. “Submitting to Calliope and interacting with us at our write-ins, galleries, and readings are also great opportunities for students who want to get involved with the arts without majoring in them.”

Submissions are accepted and encouraged at the beginning of each semester. This fall, submissions will be  open from Aug. 19 to Sept. 30. If a student is passionate about editing and wants experience, they can apply to join the editorial team at the end of the semester.

“My favorite part of every semester is the layout meeting where we examine all the wonderful work we’ve selected and start piecing together how everything connects.”

“While we never have an official theme for our issues, somehow one or two ideas or images always seem to weave way through the pages in the end,” Taylor says. “I love how it arises so naturally without any prompting or bending. Our art is an expression of our community. Even when we’re not trying, it fits together in a beautiful patchwork of us.”

Undergraduate and graduate students, faculty and staff, and alumni are all eligible to submit their work. Check out their new website to learn more about submissions and applications, peruse past issues and sign up for their mailing list.