Black River Review, Volume XXXIII, Unveiled

Jefferson Community College School of Arts and Humanities unveiled Volume XXXIII (33) of the Black River Review (on right) and recognized individuals for outstanding contributions in writing and art at a celebration held on April 27, 2023 in the student lounge, McVean Student Center. 

The BRR, a journal of poetry, prose and fine arts, is a publication of works submitted by JCC students, alumni, faculty and staff. During the celebration, JCC students were recognized for their outstanding contributions in art and writing. The BRR cover art, mixed media, titled “Hidden Truth”, is the work of Jefferson student, Jessiah E. Okai, Dexter.  

Recipients of the Outstanding Art Contribution Award are Joshua M. Rowe, Dexter, for his collages, one titled “Right Where I Need To Be”, and another, “Snailsman the Salesman”, and to Okai for the cover design and her collage titled “Outside My Shell”.  

Recipients of the Outstanding Creative Writing Contribution Award are Margot C. Jacoby, Copenhagen, for her nonfiction piece titled “Mouse in the House” and poem titled “Let Me Breathe For You”, and to Kerry M. Elliott, Watertown, for her nonfiction piece titled “Red Maple Leaf”. 

Volume XXXIII includes the contribution of JCC EDGE student, Elena Dickinson, for her poem titled “Wordplay”. Dickinson is a junior at Beaver River Central School who is taking JCC credit bearing courses through the College’s EDGE (concurrent enrollment) program.  

Additionally during the ceremony, members of the School of Arts and Humanities presented longtime BRR art editor, Professor Lucinda D. Barbour, Adams Center, with a certificate of recognition for her unwavering commitment, dedication and devotion to the publication as well as her contributions. Barbour anticipates retiring in May 2023. 

Submission deadline for Volume XXXIV (34) is February 16, 2024. 

Sponsored by the JCC School of Arts and Humanities. Funding for BRR awards is made possible by a social cultural grant from the JCC Campus Life Social Committee. 

Photo Caption: Recipients of the Outstanding Art Contribution Award are Joshua M. Rowe (left), Dexter, for his collage titled “Right Where I Need To Be”, and another titled, “Snailsman the Salesman”, and to Jessiah E. Okai, Dexter, for providing the cover art titled “Hidden Truth” and collage titled “Outside My Shell”.

Photo Caption: Recipients of the Outstanding Creative Writing Contribution Award are Margot C. Jacoby (left), Copenhagen, for her nonfiction piece titled “Mouse in the House” and poem titled “Let Me Breathe For You”, and to Kerry M. Elliott (right), Watertown, for her nonfiction piece titled “Red Maple Leaf”. 

Photo Caption: Members of the School of Arts and Humanities presented longtime Black River Review art editor, Professor Lucinda D. Barbour, Adams Center, with a certificate of recognition for her unwavering commitment, dedication and devotion to the publication as well as her contributions. (l-r) Brandon L. Maxam, Chair, School of Arts and Humanities and Associate Professor of English, Lucinda D. Barbour, Professor of Art, and Christine D. Pristash, BRR Editor-in-Chief and Associate Professor of English.