MOOREFIELD, W.Va. – The Eastern Arts Society at Eastern West Virginia Community and Technical College published the eighth volume of Eagle’s Nest magazine digitally on May 16, 2023, and then released it physically on June 13, 2023. Eagle’s Nest is an art and literary magazine that spotlights the talent of the Potomac Highlands and the surrounding regions. This magazine is funded through the Eastern Foundation, where the generous support of donors makes it possible to print physical versions of the magazine at the Grant County Press in Petersburg, WV.
Print copies of Eagle’s Nest magazine can be picked up at Eastern’s campus in Moorefield at no cost. “This is really a great way to showcase the talent of the community, that is free to them,” said Trent Montgomery, art society advisor, and Eagle’s Nest editor, “and along with the publication of the magazine, I also do weekly social media posts to spotlight their work.” Since its digital publication, every Friday evening is a new Eagle’s Nest spotlights on social media to promote the artist and writers.
Montgomery, who serves as the new arts society advisor and editor of Eagle’s Nest, coordinates the college’s marketing efforts and is behind Eastern’s new branding and design. “I’m very lucky to have come to Eastern at the time I did. Former society advisor and editor, Joe McGee, did a great job publishing the magazine, but as I arrived, he was leaving. I felt it was a good fit for me to take over the publication and the society since my background is in art and the degree I obtained in college was a bachelor of fine arts; focusing on illustration and graphic design.” said Montgomery.
This volume of Eagle’s Nest is also dedicated to Joe McGee, accomplished children’s book author and former English faculty at Eastern, in support of his battle with esophageal cancer. McGee was the former arts society advisor and editor of Eagle’s Nest. Towards the front of the magazine is a page dedicated to his battle with the URL to donate to his cause. For those who wish to support him, his GoFundMe page can be found at: https://www.gofundme.com/f/joe-mcgee-and-jess-rinker.
Past volumes of the magazine can be found on the Eastern Arts Society webpage. The eighth volume saw over twenty submissions from community members ranging from local high school students to Eastern students and staff, and artists with years of experience. “It’s great we get to showcase a variety of beginners and experienced artists and writers. Everyone who submitted to Eagle’s Nest can use this on their resume as having their work published. “It’s important for us to be able to provide another avenue for students, who are more likely to be beginners, so they can have as many things to put on their resume and in their portfolio as possible,” said Montgomery, “Plus there aren’t many places that do this or have these opportunities, so it’s really great that we can provide this at Eastern.” The next volume of Eagle’s Nest is already being thought about with plans to promote it more widely than with this volume. “I plan to do a lot more promoting to other counties in the Potomac Highlands and surrounding areas for the next edition. Since this was my first go at being the editor, I wanted a trial run per se. Though after seeing the number of submissions I received, I’m confident that the next edition will be even bigger and it will have a broader variety of art and writing.” said Montgomery. JPGs, PNGs, and Word Docs are what can be submitted for the magazine, but the subjects can range through many art mediums, short stories, flash fiction, poetry, and more.
Eastern has plans to hold more art events for the community with a juried art show and art club starting soon. On September 5th through 26th, Eastern is holding and hosting a juried art show at the Charles D. Terrell Art Gallery, located inside the main campus in Moorefield. Jurying the show will be master artist, Robert Singleton of Baker, WV, who has over 65 years of experience. This show is open to all mediums with many prizes, artists can submit up to two artworks, and sell their work. The deadline to submit is August 24, 2023. Registration to participate is free and the form can be found at https://easternwv.edu/current-students/student-organizations-activities/arts-society/. Art Club, formerly Sketch Club at the college, will be open to the community and held on the second Wednesday of every month for the Fall semester, starting September 13 from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. Entry is free, but make sure to bring drawing supplies and a sketchbook with you. For more information on either event, email trent.montgomery@easternwv.edu.
