On the evening of Friday, Nov. 8, the Wriston Art Galleries held a celebration for the third edition of the local literary hodgepodge “The Bastard’s Review.” The creatives behind this most recent issue gave craft talks, many of which included some background on their lives and experiences as artists. The theme for this issue was “Townie,” a word that, in this context, refers to the local Appletonians.
This celebration lasted about an hour and attracted a lot of people from both the Lawrence community and the wider Appleton community. With the exception of Assistant Professor of English Austin Segrest, the speakers were not directly associated with Lawrence. This made for a really interesting mix of “townies” and whatever the equivalent word for Lawrence affiliates is (Lawrentians?).
The craft talks themselves were eclectic and perfectly artsy. The initial creator of “The Bastard’s Review,” Chloé Allyn, began the event talking about how she was disappointed with how college creative writing workshops went and how she wanted to expand the accessibility to literary art journals. From the community she created in Wriston, it seems clear that she succeeded. After her introduction, Allyn introduced her best friend, Cat Tervo, one of “The Bastard’s Review”’s visual artists.
Tervo talked about their artistic and personal journey after graduating college, which, as a college student, I found really insightful and validating. They didn’t skim over challenges and adjustments, nor did they sugarcoat the experience of being an artist while also needing to make money and support themself. I found this section of the craft talks the most resonant; there is something about hearing another artistic person talk about their growth and the associated pain that comes with it.
In addition to their personal adages, Tervo’s art was incredible. Their bright colors, genuine comics and humor, and organic originality were both fun and refreshing. It was connected to art I’ve seen before and yet felt completely honest and true, which I think is part of its strength. I really loved the thread of humor that runs throughout their art, especially since it can feel as though all art must be serious art, which in the end constrains the artist.
The next speaker was Ridley Tankersley, who created playlists for “The Bastard’s Review” and graduated from Lawrence with a degree in studio art. They talked about what they deem as “good art,” which they cited as being genuine and honest (traits I definitely connected with “The Bastard’s Review” as a whole). Tankersley was followed by Kasey, who talked about their art and the struggle to create art from a personal place you have since left.
Finally, Professor Segrest read an original poem on the theme of “townies.” It felt cathartic and liquid; what remained with me the most were the lines about art and community. Those two words came up multiple times throughout all of the craft talks, and their importance was brought home in Professor Segrest’s poem. I left this celebration feeling inspired, connected and reminded of the importance of people coming together to create something. While this may sound flippant, I want to leave you all with Allyn’s words: “do what I do: do what you want.”