Helix Magazine

The Helix Magazine is a Central Connecticut State University student run biannual publication. The magazine accepts submissions from all over the globe, as it went national in 2007, global in 2009. The magazine features CCSU student writing, student artwork, artwork, and writing from the Hartford County community as well as an array of submissions from all over the world. The magazine contains multiple genres of literature and art submissions including: poetry, short fiction, playwright, creative non-fiction, paintings, photography, watercolor, collage, stencil and computer-generated artwork. It is a student run publication funded by Media Board allocations.
History of the Helix
Central's first literary magazine, A Link in the Normal Chain, was published on February 7, 1855 when Central Connecticut State University (CCSU) was the New Britain Normal School. The Pioneer appeared in 1901 with a six-woman editorial staff and the note 'To be published every month by the senior class.' In 1933, the New Britain Normal School had become the Teachers College of Connecticut; by the late 1940s, The Pillar was being published every spring. From the mid-fifties to the early seventies (it was known as) Contemporary. In 1959, Teachers College developed into Central Connecticut State College and was granted the status of State University in 1983.
Though there are drawings in previous magazines, art became a more permanent part of this tradition in the form of block prints from Mr. Craft's art class in volume 3 of the 1957 Contemporary.
In 1977 the first issue of the Helix appeared in an attempt to continue the tradition of having a literary magazine at CCSU. The book was very small and had a stapled binding. The book was very small in size and it stayed that way until the Helix's five-year absence.
In 1990, English professor, John Heitner, decided to recruit students from his classes and continue the tradition of having a literary magazine at CCSU. The first Helix book came out in the Spring of 1990 and it was made out of 30 pages of computer paper. Having a $300 budget prevent the Helix from being able to produce a high quality product. As the Helix grew in the 1990s, the cover began to look better and eventually had color in 1993. The book would get bigger as funding increased and in 1998, because of the efforts of Samuel Gordon Paley (1995 and 1998 Editor in Chief), the book had perfect binding (a flat side with no staples). The Helix had evolved into a book.
In the early 2000s, the Helix began to incorporate more Art pieces and had entire sections dedicated to art. Slowly, the Helix is expanding and growing its page count. The most recent issues have had over 150 pages filled with many different writing and art genres.
The Helix Magazine has also hit a milestone as it will be celebrating its 35th anniversary issue in the Fall of 2012.
Growth
According to CCSU's September 29, 1999 edition of The Recorder, "(In 1990) the Helix was awarded a yearly budget of $300." By 1999, it had "grown to a yearly budget of $8,000." By 2006, its yearly budget had increased to $25,000. Presently the yearly budget still stands at $25,000 to fund the biannual printing, accommodating poets and writers for campus reading, and providing staff workshops to improve quality of the magazine and editing processes.
In the Fall of 2007, The Helix began collaborating with the Connecticut Review, or CT Review. The 2007-2008 Primere issue of The Helix had guest editors-faculty advisors Dr. David Cappella, , and Dr. Stuart Barnett. In Fall 2008 Dr. Cappella and Dr. Shankar signed on board for full-time advising. In the 2008-2009 editions the magazine teamed up with local high school students and featured their writing in a special high school section. Previously in 2007, the magazine had worked with students through the "Night at the Museum" project, where student work was featured in New Britain Museum of American Art then printed in the magazine.
Currently, the Helix Magazine is trying to focus its efforts on the students of CCSU and is trying to increase membership to make up for the number of people leaving in the future years.
The Helix Today
The Helix is now attempting to become more known around the Central Connecticut State University campus. Some methods include holding big events such as Helix branded open mic nights (also known as the Helix Collider), giving away Helix items such as pens and lanyards, and printing more issues of the Helix Magazine so that more people can get a copy of the new issue.
The Helix has been attempting to use the multiple forms of media to promote themselves and the website has been the most improved as it gained an archive in January, 2012. The archive contains a PDF copy of every issue of the Helix Magazine since 1977. The website features various videos, which promote the Helix events, and also features information about the Helix.
Dr. Heitner, Dr. Cappella, and Dr. Shankar have once been involved in the Helix Magazine as faculty advisors. Presently, Leslie McGrath is the faculty advisor.
The 2012 Fall semester marked the 35th anniversary issue of the Helix Magazine.
Staff
Currently, the staff is being led by Tyler Scott (Editor in Chief).

Main Menu

See Also

Main Menu