This past Friday, Venture hosted a launch party to celebrate the release of its annual publication. This year, the three hour event was held in the Donahue café. A little fewer than 100 people attended the event where they enjoyed food from the fajita bar. There was art on display, as well as poetry and fiction readings. Attendees were the first to receive this year’s copy of Venture, which featured the theme of “Common Language.”

“The event was a great success,” said Eryn Gordon, Editor-in-Chief of Venture. “The entire editorial staff worked tirelessly throughout the semester to perfect not only the magazine, but this event.”

Venture welcomed Fred Marchant as their keynote speaker. Marchant is a professor of English, director of the Creative Writing Program and co-director of The Poetry Center at Suffolk. He is the author of the 1993 Washington Prize for poetry winner Tipping Point.

With the extended deadline, there were a record amount of submissions for this year’s issue. The magazine was about half the typical size; the staff was more selective with entries this year than in previous years. Of the nearly 300 submissions, approximately 70 made it into the 100-page edition.

“As we were going through edits, we noticed a lot of submissions complimented one another,” continued Gordon. “This helped us decide on a certain sequence in which to present the pieces in the magazine. The majority of submissions came from incredibly talented students on campus, and I have learned throughout the past few months how artistic our student body is.”

The Donahue café was nearly unrecognizable beneath the decorations. Black fabric surrounded the event, while burgundy, earthy gold, and ivory balloons floated above each table. Each long table, complete with table cloths and center pieces, also had a neat pile of Venture magazines for those who attended the event. Artwork featured in the issue was displayed around the perimeter of the room

For years, Venture has acted as a service to Suffolk students where they are able to submit and publish their literary and artistic work. It provides the first step for students who are unsure of how to approach publication of their personal work.

“What Venture represents is a voice; it’s a vessel of communication that individuals use to become an entity,” Gordon said in her introductory speech at the event. “Communication is vital; it’s what keeps us from living inside of our own minds. Art and literature break down these thought barriers between people. It is a common language among those who may not even relate. Art is the enrichment of one’s soul; the answer to a question never spoken out loud. When we bond through expression, we speak in volumes louder than any verbal ques. In the realm of art and personal expression, there is an ultimate harmony; fluidity of movement; universal understanding.

As one of its few print publications, Venture is a valuable part of the Suffolk community. They publish poems, fictional and non-fictional stories, and any kind of artwork. Submissions for next year’s issue will be accepted beginning in late September. Venture is now welcoming applications to be a part of next year’s editorial staff.