Students Unleash Artistic Talent in Official Creative Journal
October, 2011
Students share their creativity in the second edition of Between
Seminar Rooms edited by Autumn Watts
The second edition of Between Seminar Rooms has been launched at WCMC-Q. The creative writing and visual arts journal, created exclusively by medical and pre-med students at WCMC-Q, features poems, photos and short stories. Edited by Autumn Watts, English lecturer and Writing Centre Coordinator, the volume gives students an opportunity to express their creativity and see their work in print.
Speaking at the launch Watts said, “Why do we produce a book of creative work by medical students; why is art important to them? The answer is because our students are many things: They are incredibly bright, they are high achievers, they are driven, and they are smart. But medical students are also creative, they spill outside the boundaries of themselves and create art.”
During the book launch at WCMC-Q, 14 students presented their work in a presentation to last no more than two minutes, or face being chased off the stage. Some read out their work to the audience whilst those who created images spoke about their inspiration and methodology in creating them. If any ran over their two-minute slot they were squawked off the stage by an inflatable chicken brandished at them by Watts.
Dr. Basim Uthman appreciating students' work
Students also took part in a competition to write funny captions and to produce the funniest Facebook status. Competition winners were announced at the launch with their entries being published in the book. Rana El Maghraby, who won the Facebook status competition with her entry, ‘Who said nothing was impossible, I have been doing nothing for the past hour’, said she enjoys writing for the purpose of unleashing her emotions and her thoughts.
Among the many talented contributors is Abdulhadi Al-Saei who produced the cover design, as well as many photographs inside. Abdulhadi purchased his first camera over a decade ago and is now a passionate photographer. He is president of both the WCMC-Q and the Education City Photography Club. He says that almost all elements in this universe have a beautiful core that can make a gorgeous photo.
Watts says, “I’m incredibly proud of what these students have created. There are sketches, photos, paintings and prose of a very high standard in this, our second edition of Between Seminars Rooms, and the feedback about it, has been very positive.” A reception followed the book launch and copies of the book were given to those present.
