New arts magazine, Roots, highlights EMU and Ypsilanti's art scene
Eastern Michigan University’s student-operated fine arts and literary magazine, Cellar Roots, is introducing Roots, a new arts and entertainment publication, in collaboration with The Eastern Echo.
Roots will be produced as a monthly magazine and distributed as an insert inside the concurrent print edition of The Eastern Echo. Readers of the Sept. 16, 2025, print issue can find the first copy of Roots within their paper.
Roots will expand upon The Eastern Echo’s arts section by highlighting EMU and Ypsilanti arts news and events as well as local artists, musicians and more. Local artists of the month and historical Cellar Roots volumes will be spotlighted in each issue.
Madison Cantrell, editor-in-chief of Cellar Roots and arts editor at The Eastern Echo, hopes that Roots will "inform our readers about the vibrant arts community in their city."
Cantrell also expressed hope that Roots will further connect Cellar Roots and The Echo as the two teams collaborate on the publication.
What is Cellar Roots?
Cellar Roots aims to highlight student artists and provide them with a platform to publish their work. The team produces an annual fine arts magazine that features 2D, 3D and digital art submissions as well as photography, short stories, prose and poetry.
Submissions are open now for all student and alumni artwork. To learn more about submitting, students can visit Cellar Roots on Instagram @cellar.roots.
At the end of the academic year, the chosen submissions for Cellar Roots Volume 52 will be showcased on campus in the Intermedia Gallery Group's Student Center gallery.
The history of Cellar Roots dates back to 1971, when the first official volume was released. Warren Brown, editor-in-chief of Cellar Roots’ first issue, had a specific goal in mind when naming the publication.
“Students with these varying backgrounds should have a magazine whose name has something in common with all,” Brown said. "The ‘Roots’ symbolize the deep growth and natural expansion that is creativity. The ‘Cellar’ is the man-made thing that comes closest to the roots.”
To learn more about the original 1971 Cellar Roots publication, read this week's issue of Roots. The latest edition of Cellar Roots, Volume 51, can be purchased on Amazon.com for $20.
Why join Cellar Roots?
When joining Cellar Roots, students can expect a hands-on, collaborative team experience.
Laurence Bourdeau, now an elementary school art teacher, worked on the Cellar Roots team as a graphic designer and design lead from 2023 to 2025. Bourdeau spoke to the importance of having Cellar Roots as an opportunity for students to gain experience outside the classroom.
"With regular classes, we didn't really do a lot of group work, so it was really important for clubs to be that space, to [say], 'All right, we're on our own; how do we make what we want to make happen, happen?'"
Ashley Schemer, now a graduate student at the College for Creative Studies in Detroit, worked as a graphic designer on the Cellar Roots team for two years, starting in 2023.
“Cellar Roots helped prepare me for my career as a graphic designer by introducing me to collaborative teamwork and teaching me how to make design decisions that aligned with the publication’s needs,” Schemer said in an email. "I also gained hands-on experience working with other artists, learning from their expertise, and promoting their creative achievements.”
How to get involved
Students can get involved with Roots and Cellar Roots in a number of ways. The Eastern Echo is currently hiring arts and entertainment writers for the new Roots publication. Cellar Roots is looking for students to fill leadership, layout design and graphic illustrator positions. Those interested can email managing@easternecho.com and cellarroots@easternecho.com for more information.
Additionally, students and EMU alumni can submit their own work to be featured in the upcoming edition of Cellar Roots, Volume 52. Submissions can be made through a Google Form until Dec. 13, 2025. Those submitting artwork can email cellarroots@easternecho.com if they have questions.
