With a new editor-in-chief and a post-pandemic comeback, Eastern Michigan University's literary magazine Cellar Roots is hosting a release party for the club's 2022 and 2023 volumes.
In the Student Center Gallery on April 5-6, artists who are featured in the magazine's new volumes will showcase their work. There will be a reception at 8 p.m. on April 6 where students will read their poems and people can pick-up a copy of the magazine.
Ameera Salman, who began their position as the editor-in-chief of Cellar Roots in January, said that it is the first time that the club is doing an event like this, and one of few times that two volumes will be released simultaneously.
The student organization came up with the idea for a launch party as a way to involve the artists as much as possible.
"I wanted it to be kind of a collaborative and immersive experience so that people can see the art inside of the magazine, even if they maybe don't buy it or if they didn't get a chance to be in it this year," Salman said.
Ashley Schemer, a graphic designer for Cellar Roots, is excited for the launch party as well, and said that her role has helped her achieve her goal of improving her design skills.
"So far, working on this issue has already broadened my experience with graphic design, and I’m excited to begin working on the upcoming magazines!" Schemer said. "I can’t wait to see some students' submissions in person. I hope the event will bring awareness to Cellar Roots and get more students interested in possibly joining or submitting their artwork for future editions."
Salman said that the process for creating this year's volume was hard, but fun and exciting nonetheless.
"It's taught me a lot about what I do and don't want to do going forward, what I want to do in my life," Salman said. "I really enjoy the job. I didn't know very much about it going in and I think that it's a process that needs more focus on it... I'm excited for what the future holds."
As the literary magazine used to be a bigger deal on campus, Salman said, the editor-in-chief wants to regain that hype from students, and would love to see more submissions and bigger magazines in the near future.
With the realization that the 2024 volume will be Cellar Roots' 50th, the club wants to do a big themed magazine next year.
In the past, community members served as jurors for the organization, to vote on work that will be included, which is something Salman hopes to bring back soon. Cellar Roots is also always looking for editors and designers. Submissions will be open for the next edition of Cellar Roots in fall of 2024.
Looking forward, Salman hopes to bring the magazine out into the Ypsilanti community more, selling old and new editions off-campus, and creating an archive of old volumes at the local library.
Anyone interested in buying a copy of Cellar Roots can purchase the 2022 and 2023 volumes separately or together through a pre-order form on Instagram @cellar.roots. A bundle of volume 48 and volume 49 can be purchased for $25; individually, volume 48 is on sale for $20 and volume 49 is on sale for $15. The magazine can be bought with cash, card, check or venmo and can be picked up at the event on April 6 or another scheduled time.
