The Literary Journal of Palomar College

BRAVURA

Established in 1964

2021 EDITION

bra•vu•ra (br vyeor’ ;brä veo’ rä) – a daring display of brilliant skill

The goal of Bravura is to celebrate Palomar College’s diverse creative community. We publish of original work a variety of literary genres, including creative non-fiction, poetry, short fiction, song lyrics, and drama/screenplays. As an interdisciplinary journal we also publish artistic expression from a variety of fields, including, but not limited to, photography, drawing and painting, illustration, digital art, comics, graphic design, and mixed media art. We also publish images of three dimensional arts including sculpture, ceramics, jewelry, metalworking, woodworking, and fashion design. In sum – any printable sort of creative expression will be considered for publication!

Published every May, under the guidance of faculty advisors Professor Clare Rolens, PhD. and Professor Stacey M. Trujillo,PhD. each issue of Bravura is produced by the student editors who enroll in ENGLISH 137: The Literary Magazine—History and Production (offered only during the spring semester). Learn more here!

From Our Students

Words cannot express how elated I am to have worked as a contributor for Bravura and having my piece chosen for publication in the journal. It felt like an honor for me, for engaging in the class and meeting new people who has diverse interests and showcasing their creativity. This was a fun experience that I will never forget. The class felt like a unification between artists of different mediums who writes stories or compose artworks/designs that collaborated with each other to compose a journal showcasing unique voices. I’m not sure if it’s just me, but creativity felt overlooked and undervalued, especially in a school environment. If you want to get yourself involved in Bravura, you can! These professors show that they care about the course and the journal.

-Eric Cruz | 2020 Editor

I really enjoyed ENG 137 because it is a real-world example of what the life of a graphic designer is like. I helped design the 2018 and 2019 editions, and the experience strengthened my typography and Adobe InDesign skills immensely. The experience gave me a competitive edge when I transferred to a CSU graphic design program, where I am now regularly tasked with designing catalogs, brochures, and other large bodies of text. ENG 137 gave me the confidence and experience to tackle these types of projects head-on, in the most fun way possible. The professors and fellow students that I worked with are delightful, and I became good friends with everyone I worked with. ENG 137 is a glowing example of what a collaborative, welcoming, creative, and enjoyable learning environment should be.

– Adam Sendler | Editor + Designer for 2018-19

Amid a 20-unit schedule, ENG137 was a cathartic interlude that I looked forward to every week. This class served as both a respite from the rigid structure of other classes, and an outlet for individualism and collaboration. ENG137 offers a unique opportunity to explore artistry in a positive and nurturing atmosphere where all forms of creative expression are celebrated and valued. If you are a student who is timid about sharing your work, consider Bravura! Professors Clare and Stacey have fostered a supportive and communal culture where every student is made to feel like a welcome member of a creative team.

– Linea Montiel | 2020 Editor

BE IN THE KNOW

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Our 2020 Cover!

Bravura is proud to present the cover for our 2020 edition! Working through a pandemic proved to be challenging, but we’re glad we were still able to produce Palomar’s literary magazine. Make sure to check out bravurajournal.org to see our new editor’s page and...

FEATURED WORK

Life According to Your Favorite Drinks: Told in Three Stages

by Megan Johnson (Second Place—Poetry)Told in Three Stages can be found within the three selected drinks. I based each one off of important trends I’ve seen reflected in both my own life, as well as my friend’s lives. I look at each beverage with both fondness and...

Faculty Advisors
for Bravura

Clare Rolens, PhD.

Associate Professor, Department of English, Humanities and Reading

crolens@palomar.edu

Stacey M. Trujillo, PhD.