Black River Review 2026
Jefferson Community College
State University of New York
Watertown, New York
Volume XXXVI
Spring 2026
EDITORS & JUDGES
Christine Pristash and Michael Avery, Co-Editors-in-Chief
Erin Kuhn, Art Editor
April Schmidt and Brandon Maxam, Literary Editors
COVER ART
Abby Rudd
Outstanding Artwork Contributor for
Just Peachy
(oil pastel and colored pencil)
Opinions expressed by the authors and artists do not necessarily reflect those of
the editors or of Jefferson Community College.
Introduction
Christine Pristash
Welcome to another year of great literature, art, and music from the Jefferson community.
Our writers, artists, and musicians have created works that spark a range of emotions,
sometimes exuberance, at other times sadness, and still yet others some fear.
In a way, editing the Black River Review often feels like creating a good mixtape
or playlist. Editing and arranging involves balancing competing emotions while creating
a flow and upward momentum.
Any good mixtape needs a great cover. This year’s cover artist, Abby Rudd, has created
the perfect art for this year’s overarching feelings and imagery. While her cover,
“Just Peachy,” is bright and dynamic, the abstract nature of her frontispiece, “Strawberry
Fields,” captures the imagination while creating something that feels simultaneously
beautiful and a little ominous.
Ultimately, a good mixtape is also like a love letter. The BRR editing team hopes
you enjoy the highs and lows of emotion, theme, and imagery that make up this year’s
publication. This mixtape is for you, Jefferson
Black River Review Contributors, 2026
* Indicates Outstanding Literary or Art Contributor
Poetry
- Kenyon Wells, "On the River at Season's End"
- Kenyon Wells, "Below the Surface"
- Elena Dickinson, "Ripe, Unladylike"
- *Kirsten Pratt, "Standing in her Light" Outstanding Writing Contributor
- Josh Dickinson, "Oda to the Soda"
- *Kaylee Fields, "Longing" Outstanding Writing Contributor
- Elena Dickinson, "Handdials"
- Eiffel Vitug, "a book"
Fiction
- *Kirsten Pratt, "Where No One Hears the Cracks" Outstanding Writing Contributor
- *Kaylee Fields, "Existence"
Nonfiction
Music
- Sydney Markham, "Rhapsody (with Banjo!)" (musical composition)
Artwork
- *Abby Rudd, "Strawberry Fields" - (graphite) - Outstanding Artwork Contributor
- *Caela Berry, "Watertown's Water" (graphite) - Outstanding Artwork Contributor
- *Caela Berry, "Hiking Trip" (graphite) - Outstanding Artwork Contributor
- Eric Carden, "Boldt Castle Power House" (photograph)
- Reanna De Los Santos, "Untitled Cat 1" (watercolor)
- Rose Slate, "The Watcher" (photograph)
- Jasmyn Marrero, "Expectations" (gouache)
- Pamela Dixon, "Be Right Back" (photograph)
- Annabeth Baxter, "Portrait Exchange" (paper collage)
- Angel Mijares, "Still Waters" (pen and ink)
- Kaylee Simmons-Noel, "Prosperous Comeback" (colored pencil)
- Graceanne Sides, "Autumn Garden Snake" (photograph)
- Jade Ramirez, "Creepy Chan" (monster clay and wood)
- Rose Slate, "The Taking" (photograph)
- Jasmyn Marrero, "Hanguk" (pen and ink)
- Ashla Todd, "Sumebulocr" (monster clay and wood)
- Reanna De Los Santos, "Untitled" (watercolor and tinted charcoal)
- Noah Fulton, "Yellow, I Am" (watercolor)
- Parker Basta, "Underwater Seascape" (oil pastel)
- Pamela Dixon, "Festive Jefferson" (photograph)
Contributor's Notes
graduated from JCC with an associate’s degree in psychology in 2023. She started a Childhood Education degree during the fall 2025 semester but has decided to switch to something more music related. This was her first time writing for the Black River Review and she hopes to continue writing in the future.
is an undergraduate student looking to pursue art education. They have been drawing as long as they can remember, and love doing traditional as well as digital art mediums.
has been a part of the JCC Enrollment Services team for over two and a half years, assisting students to apply and get accepted in the Northern New York and NYC areas. Eric moved to the Watertown area over five years ago and grew to love the area from taking pictures of beautiful nature to enjoying time with friends.
is a student at JCC and their projected year of graduation is spring 2026.
is an Anne of Green Gables enthusiast. She is studying Biomedical Sciences at St. Lawrence University in hopes of one day becoming a Pediatric Cardiologist. Like Anne, Elena indulges her curiosity, while remaining determined that the best lies around the bend.
teaches writing and literature at JCC. He enjoys running, reading, soccer, and the eventual springtime that is rumored will reach the North Country.
holds an associate degree from Jefferson Community College and a bachelor’s degree from Franklin University. Her work has been featured in past issues of the Black River Review. This year, she earned first place in the North Country Arts Council Fall 2024 show, photography category. Her artist’s dream is to have her camera ready and cross paths with a moose or fox in her garden.
is a 20-year-old education major with a passion for writing and teaching. She is currently in her second year at Jefferson with plans to transfer to SUNY Potsdam in the fall. As a writer, she loves to write poetry and short stories, as well as creative non-fiction.
is a current student at Jefferson who loves to draw, game, and hang out with friends. He wants to use his art and personality to inspire others to achieve their goals while he achieves his own.
is a 22-year-old student currently in her second year at JCC. She gives credit to the art classes she’s taken since starting at JCC for rekindling her passion for creating art.
is a student at Jefferson Community College, taking Basic Drawing. Their work was a landscape inspired by Vincent Van Gogh's mark-making style.
is a current JCC student born in Hyannis, Massachusetts. This was her first time drawing after a three-year hiatus and this art class has reignited her passion for art.
is a psychology major, writer, and mother. She is passionate about storytelling, raising awareness of mental health challenges in society, and someday hopes to publish a novel.
is a student in their last semester at JCC, planning to pursue art education. They love to explore many different areas and mediums such as painting, clothing, design, tattooing, and sculpture, but their main goal is to continue to spread their passion and love for art to future generations.
is undecided at the moment regarding her future career, but she does plan to pursue a career involving art. She loves using oil pastel, charcoal, and graphite, but she’s always willing to try something new or get out of her comfort zone when it comes to different projects and mediums. Moving forward, she wants art to be a part of her everyday life because it is what makes her truly happy.
graduated with an A.S. In Business Administration 2021 from SUNY Jefferson. She is a member of the Augusta Arts Council and her work has been featured in galleries in Denver as well as nationally.
is a student at Jefferson Community College, as well as an experienced painter and drawer. They love making pictures with animals, preferably birds.
balances her studies at SUNY Empire with creating portrait work that explores identity, presence, and the quiet psychological tension shaping human emotion.
is taking 3-D design at Jefferson Community College because she thought it would be fun, and it has, in fact, been very fun!
a current JCC student, has used writing for the last eight years as an outlet to express emotions, struggles, and interests without needing to find the right words. Eiffel is able to explore her own complexities and create a piece that won’t limit her voice.
is retired from the staff of the Melvil Dewey Library at JCC. He lives in the sunny Southland now, misses his former coworkers, and thinks of them often when it snows.
SUBMISSIONS
The editors seek original submissions for the Black River Review in the following categories:
Poetry: Up to 5 poems, not to exceed 50 lines each
Fiction: Up to 2 short stories, not to exceed 1500 words each
Non-Fiction: Up to 2 essays, not to exceed 1500 words each
Plays: Up to 2 one-act plays, not to exceed 1500 words each
Artwork: Up to 4 works in the original medium, such as black ink or charcoal drawing, computer
graphics, b/w photographs (even if printed from color film)
Music: Up to 2 compositions 16 or more measures in length
Only submissions from Jefferson Community College students (full or part-time), faculty,
staff, and alumni will be considered. Cash awards for outstanding work will be awarded.
Submitting and presenting work:
For Black River Review submissions, include name, address, phone number, and status (i.e., staff, faculty,
student, alumni with grad class year) on each submitted work as well as a biographical
note of thirty words or fewer when submitting. All submissions become the property
of the Black River Review; submitted works will not be returned. However, after first publication, all rights
revert back to authors/ artists.
Award recipients are encouraged to participate in the reading of works and presentation
of awards during the Black River Review unveiling in Spring 2027.
Deadline for Volume XXXVII: February 12, 2027
APPRECIATION
Publication of the Black River Review is made possible by support from the School of Arts & Humanities. Outstanding Contributor award funds for artwork and writing are provided by the Campus Life committee’s Social-Cultural grant.
CREDITS
Typing and layout for this volume of the Black River Review is done using Microsoft Word. Prize notification and event coordination by Diane Matiland and Heather Natali. Original logo design by Dave Bowhall. Cover art digitizing by Keri Chubb (Class of 2010) and Gillian Maitland (Class of 1993). Website content production by Andrew Lackey and Erin Kuhn. Printing by Speedway Press.
Copyright © 2026 Black River Review
(After first publication, all rights revert to authors, artists, and composers.)