Petroglyph
“The silence is tangible. In the absence of distractions, I feel Mother Earth. Many do not believe in her or her maternity. I believe,” said Heidi Kieffer LaMoreaux said in her essay “Coring Underground.”
Twice a year nature artists and writers have the opportunity to share their work with the public in “Petroglyph; A Journal of Creative Nature Writing,” according to Shanan Ballam, magazine editor.
“I think it’s a really important publication that needs to be kept going,” Ballam said. “We’re trying to create an arena for nature writers and artists.”
“Petroglyph” publishes work from students and nature lovers in April and November. They also include works from well-known artists like Rick Bass, William Stafford, Ken Bruer and David Lee, Ballam said.
The magazine is run by student volunteers and funded by the English department at Utah State University, the Utah Arts Council and the Mary Eccles Caine Foundation.
Ballam said it’s geared toward a nature-loving audience. They have subscribers from all over the world.
“There’s not many places for nature writers to publish. It’s an excellent way to get experience,” Ballam said.
The staff works six months on each issue, and Ballam said the 14 members need all that time to organize the 36-page magazine.
Ballam said the staff is constantly changing. There is a high turnover rate. Paul Crumbley is the faculty adviser for the production.
“Not only is it full of beautiful artwork, the poetry and proes offer a way to view our relationship with nature. It gives a sense of place and who we are as individuals. It connects man with nature,” Ballam said.
Ballam said the magazine also hosts poetry readings with famous nature writers, and once a year they offer a writers’ workshop called “Petroglyph up the Canyon.”
Their next workshop will be the third week in February with David Lee. Barny Lopez will come in April.
Last year “Petroglyph” held a nature writing contest for Utah residents. It had categories for adults and children. The winners read their compositions at a poetry reading.
“We had a good response from the adults, but it was hard to get the kids to participate,” Ballam said.
They are trying to get a larger readership, Ballam said. They’re hoping to have more libraries subscribe.
“We’re preserving history,” Ballam said. “Writing about nature and keeping it in one place is very important.”
More information on “Petroglyph” and getting published can be found onits Web site at english.usu.edu/petroglyph