Our Story
What is a Smudge? A smudge is the threshold through which everything passes, the liminal, the place where anything can happen. A smudge is a site of liberation, the place where colors, cultures, aesthetics, traditions, blend, merge, and build. A smudge is a demarcation of transformation, the in between, the pupa and cocoon between caterpillar and butterfly. A smudge can become anything. The smudge is us.
Smudge was founded in 2021 when a group of students discussed the frustrations of cultural misunderstandings in the writing workshop, especially during critiques. Smudge was created to prevent further misinterpretations, to provide a safe space for writers and artists of color where they feel like their work will not be undervalued and misjudged.
Our name comes from a poem, “Smudge” written by Malachi Jones who won the Golden Portfolio Award from Scholastic Art & Writing Awards. The final line of his poem captures Smudge's presence on campus: "A black mass against a bright canvas." Rather than hiding away, Smudge takes pride in this presence.
Check out our video “The Story Behind Smudge” here.
Lili E.
President, Illustrator, Layout & Web Editor
Adrian (Soo Min) R.
Co-Editor in Chief, Illustrator
Kiara S.
Co-Editor in Chief, Treasurer
Nico A.
Social Media Manager, Editor, Illustrator
Bella S.
Writing Editor
Camille M.
Writing Editor
Saumya K.
Writing Editor, Layout & Web Editor
Kaitlyn L.
Writing Editor, Visual Art Editor, Illustrator
Ethan G.
Visual Art Editor, Layout & Web Editor
Jarrhana L.
Marketing & Social Media, Illustrator
Natalie S.
Writing Editor, Marketing & Social Media
Diana P.
Marketing & Social Media
Angel G.
Writing Editor
Interested in joining the team?
Email smudgemagwc@gmail.com and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can!