continued from page 14

stimulate the imagination. For those
behind the scenes, this is a somewhat
thankless endeavour where accom-
plishment is relegated to the masthead.

Friday night’s launch saw the literary
quality of Event transcend the page
with readings by Cynthia’ Flood,
Annabel Lyon, George McWhirter, Bud
Osborn, Madeleine Thien, Betsy
Warland, and Tom Wayman—a mixture
of poetry, fiction and person-
al essay that reflected the
diverse quality of Event's
publishing tradition. Despite
the success of the launch,
the future of this tradition is
now in question.

Literary magazines’ are
commonly subsidized by a
combination of government
grants and funding by affiliat-
ed academic institutions. Here at
Douglas College, like all post second-
ary institutions in BC, a three-year
budget freeze has induced a reassess-
ment and reduction of programs and
services. Although Event has received
support from the College Foundation,
unfortunately, "senior management" is
not convinced that supporting a literary
magazine is valuable, relative not only
to students, but to the profile and mar-
ketability of the college itself. With
thriving and well respected creative
writing, English, and professional writ-
ing programs here at Douglas, one can
easily imagine how in terms. of
practicums and volunteer opportunities,
Event is a great resource to not only
the department, but the whole school.

But true to Canadian Politics, the
depth and richness of creative enter-
prise is often the first thing to go when
up against money focussed perspec-
tives. The budget cutbacks have hit
Event hard and the resulting 50 per
cent cut in funding is the product of a
five-year cost recovery plan, which
would eventually like to see Event oper-
ating as a financially independent
business. Event is now left to seek out
alternative funding through donations
strategies and corporate sponsorship.
"It’s a wake up call," says Stonehouse,
“we have got to make efforts to be more
visible to the people in the college."
How a Staff of two manage to produce a
journal of Event’s quality is one thing,
but now they also have to divert their

| © "ither press >>> CULTURE

efforts towards funding and marketing.

We are fortunate to have Event pub-
lishing out of Douglas College as it not
only historically represents some of
Douglas College's own talent, (Event
has publshed and been managed by a
number of Instructors from Douglas)
but also BC, Canada, and indeed inter-
national submissions. Calvin Wharton,
writer, CRWR instructor, and editor of

“Event is in my opinion, a practical
metaphor of larger things—a relatively
untapped resource that could potentially
be integrated to enhance Douglas
College’s profile to a national level.”

Event from 1996-2001 says, "Event
offers students here at the college a
window into the publishing business,
and connects the college to the rest of
the country because Event has a
national profile."—By virtue of publica-
tion, Event has even blessed Douglas
College with an association to Charles
Bukowski and Pablo Neruda. Therefore,
the continued success of Event and
literary journals in general, are a local
and global treasure—a symbol that we
all should acknowledge and consider
as students, faculty, and administration
here at Douglas College.

The special issue of Event, is as

usual, beautifully put together and is
representative of the countless award
winning stories that have appeared
between Event's covers over the
years. lronically, the timeliness of
Event's thirty years of success is jux-
taposed by these recent budget cut-
backs which will ultimately challenge
the journal's immediate future, rais-
ing the question: Will there be anoth-
er thirty years?

Language and communication
are the fabric of society and
higher education, and whether
you are a reader or a writer,
this business of obsessing-
over, celebrating and communi-
cating with words is a fantastic
and enriching occupation.
Event represents a forum for
those who make this fabric
colourful.

As a student here at Douglas, the
opportunity to work with Event has
significantly enriched my experience.
For me, the advantages of this affilia-
tion to the college appear to be not
only poorly advertised, but poorly
appreciated. Event is in my opinion, a
practical metaphor of larger things—
a relatively untapped resource that
could potentially be integrated to
enhance Douglas College’s profile to
a national level. And the reality of this
metaphor is that it relies on dedicat-
ed staff, quality writers, passionate
readers and in the end...funding.

 

Calvin Wharton, Cathy Stonehouse & lan Cockfield

Neen