OKLAHOMA CITY, Oklahoma — Oklahoma City Community College (OCCC) has released the 2024 edition of “Absolute,” an annual literary and arts journal published by the college’s Division of Arts, English, and Humanities since 1972. The 2024 edition is one of the largest in the publication’s history, featuring a rich collection of original works, including fiction, nonfiction, poetry, photography and art.

This year’s “Absolute” received a record number of 139 submissions from 91 contributors and offers a diverse range of content, with a focus on literary pieces and visual art. Each piece is crafted by students or community members, reflecting diverse perspectives and experiences and ultimately giving the magazine a unique character.

“We had a huge outpouring of amazing photography and art,” said Professor Jeffrey Provine, faculty advisor of “Absolute.”

Provine also emphasized the significance of the magazine’s longevity.

“Each issue is a capsule of the thoughts and visions of the year it came together,” he said. “It’s inspiring to think that generations later will look back at our work, too.”

He encourages everyone to explore the 2024 edition and consider contributing to future issues.

“There’s something special about seeing your work in print, knowing it’s part of a tradition that goes back over 50 years,” Provine said.

Several awards were presented during the release party for “Absolute,” recognizing students and community members for their outstanding work. The following are the top winners for the 2024 edition:

Fiction:
• First place: “Whippersnapper” by Neil E. Finley
• Second place: “Dog and Rabbit” by Jude Privett
• Third place: “Kilroy Was Here” by Andrew W. Griffin

Nonfiction:
• First place: “Stagnancy” by Shyla Norton
• Second place: “Something in the Way” by Eric Thomas
• Third place: “Facing Memories: Facing Fears” by Kathryn Earl

Poetry:
• First place: “Radio Towers” by Kodi Clifford
• Second place: “Sorting” by Bertha Wise
• Third place: “A Tattered Stuffed Rabbit” by Audrey Staggs

Artwork:
• First place: “Katrina” by Alejandra Vasquez
• Second place (tie): “Postmortem Bloom” by Charlotte Flores Parnam and “Youth Is in the Mind” by Sheree Greider
• Third place: “Unjust Hope” by Laurel Payne

Photography:
• First place: “Hefner Clouds Ver. 1” by Benjamin Rodriguez
• Second place: “Under the City” by Tray Brite
• Third place (tie): “Reflections of a Tree” by Yoseph Ahmad and “Glacial Glass” by Kiersten Stewart

“Absolute” is available in digital and print formats. Printed copies are sold at the OCCC Bookstore.

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