Creative Incubator Spawns Black Bear Review

April 10, 2023
Black Bear Review Seventh Edition ONE

The compelling beauty of words and images in print will be the focus of a special night in Nelson where the latest edition of The Black Bear Review will be launched on April 13.

The Black Bear Review is a literary and arts magazine run out of Selkirk College’s Creative Writing Program and Digital Arts Program. The student-run and faculty-mentored magazine connects writers and artists throughout the community, giving them a place to express themselves. The magazine serves as an incubator where creative minds can grow, and features a variety of genres, including poetry, fiction, nonfiction, comics and artwork.

The seventh print edition of The Black Bear Review is complete and fresh off the printing press, launching on Thursday, April 13 from 7:30 to 9 p.m. at The Bear and Sturgeon Pub in Nelson.

Black Bear Review Seventh Edition TWO
Selkirk College students and faculty hold the last six print editions of The Black Bear Review in anticipation for the seventh to join the creative compendium. Those who helped make latest edition a reality include: (L-R) Helen Kissinger, Cody Bruner, instructor Renée Harper, instructor Leesa Dean, Terra-Mae Box, Greg Elliot and Shale Niermann.

“It has been amazing to watch the Black Bear grow and thrive over the years,” says Creative Writing Program instructor Leesa Dean, who started the magazine with faculty peers Renée Harper and Almeda Miller in 2016. “What started as a small, rudimentary website with a few publications has evolved into a vibrant, active space. Since the beginning of the school year, we have published over 75 works of art and writing between the website and the forthcoming print magazine.”

This year’s student managing editor, Terra-Mae Box, collaborated with a new team of editors, writers and artists, to produce an issue that takes readers on an emotional journey. The seventh edition explores beautiful combinations of pleasure and pain, the past and the present, and acceptance, all while showcasing the hidden voices of our community.

The launch event promises to be a celebration of the region’s creativity, where guests can meet the contributors and get a copy of the magazine. The event is open to the public, and all are welcome to attend. After the launch, copies of the magazine will be available at Otter Books, Notably and the Selkirk College bookstore in Castlegar.

For more information about the magazine, please visit the Black Bear Review's website.


Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) #4: Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.