Press Release & Teaser Video: Tellus Issue 001: In Your Element
Cincinnati, OH. May 29, 2020 – Local teens celebrated the launch of the inaugural issue of Tellus Zine with a Prom-Themed Virtual Launch Party on May 29, 2020.
Tellus is a digital publication, led by an all-youth editorial board, showcasing visual art and creative writing by young adults from across Greater Cincinnati. Tellus’s mission is to provide a platform for young people to express themselves bravely and creatively as a part of our diverse community.
The zine was developed as an off-shoot of Kennedy Heights Arts Center’s Teen Artists for Change program. Tellus is a Latin word meaning “Earth” and also can be broken down into the invitation: “Tell us!” The students selected the name for their publication because of this double meaning.
Young adults ages 13-21 are invited to creatively express topics and issues that they care about through art forms including drawing, painting, photography, video, animation, music, creative writing, and nonfiction writing, and submit their creative work to be included in the semi-annual online zine.
The theme of the first issue is “In Your Element.” 22 young adults throughout Greater Cincinnati submitted creative works exploring questions like: What defines you? What or where is your comfort zone? Where do you feel most at home?
Submissions were reviewed by the Tellus Zine Editorial Board, which consists of 14 diverse, high school students from 8 schools. The board has met regularly since September (switching to online meetings in April) to develop the concept for the zine, invite and review submissions, put together and promote the publication. The students also created social media accounts for Tellus and have been posting regularly to share content and connect with teens.
The Tellus Zine aims to inspire and connect teen artists for positive social change.
“To have the opportunity to spend time with a group of creative teens while putting together a zine, which means so much to all of us, has allowed me to be much more open,” remarked Naina Purushothaman, age 15, a Tellus Editorial Board Member. “Instead of being afraid to share my opinion, I now feel free to share what I think because I know that, in this creative environment, I will not be judged.”
Editorial Board members include:
Cierra Fogle, 12th grade
Jamie Blodgett, 12th grade
Eva Smith, 12th grade
Lila Joffe, 11th grade
Rose Joffe, 11th grade
Ella Beyreis, 11th grade
Emilio Lanzador, 11th grade
Iris Andrews, 11th grade
Emma Thomas, 10th grade
Lucinda Hittle, 10th grade
Naina Purushothaman, 10th grade
Anika Chanchani, 10th grade
Lilly Johnson, 9th grade
Lauren Simon, 9th grade
Tellus Zine is a project of Kennedy Heights Arts Center in partnership with Northern Kentucky University School of the Arts and is made possible by a grant from the Charles H. Dater Foundation.
About Kennedy Heights Arts Center:
The mission of Kennedy Heights Arts Center is to enhance the life of the surrounding community through arts and cultural experiences that embrace diversity, foster creativity and build community. Founded in 2004, the community arts center provides arts education programs, exhibitions, and cultural events for more than 5,000 youth and adults annually.
For more information please contact Ellen Muse-Lindeman at 513-381-4913 or email ellen@kennedyarts.org.