2020 has proved to be a year of intense change. Though we are only a quarter of a way through the first year of this new decade, there are so many changes happening around us. In reality, change is a constant characteristic of life, but that often does not make it easier. This was prevalent while reading this year’s submissions to Kiosk.
One of those changes happened to be a total rearrangement of Kiosk faculty. Professor John Kolbo, affectionately referred to as just Kolbo and Morningside’s graphic design guru, took a leave of absence in October 2019 due to his health. In addition, Professor Stephen Coyne retired in December 2019 after being the advisor to Kiosk for nearly 30 years. In all honesty, and though we had been planning for his departure, we felt his absence profoundly in the early part of the semester. Leslie Werden, thankfully, took up the reins from Coyne, and Shelby Prindaville and Jeff Gordon worked to find art editors to finish our staff. Even so, these changes rocked my world. To add to the chaos, the world underwent (as is currently still managing) a global pandemic that caused the United States, Italy, and many other countries to enforce social distancing and self-quarantine recommendations. Though technology proved to be a necessity, one which our schools would have been forced to close completely without, remotely creating a magazine was tough. Wrapped up all together, these changes are what produced this year’s Kiosk.
The selected authors’ works present the many different emotions that change elicits. Discussion of death, family, and everyday situations permeated submissions. As I was reading, and realizing this constant overarching theme, I grew hopeful that each and every one of the stories would show growth caused by change. Thus, the theme of reality’s effects and aftermath grew stronger. Even our cover, entitled “REAListic Painting,” shows the scars inflicted by reality. Reality is what we are faced with every day; its aftermath is what we, as writers and artists, portray.
Volume 82 of Kiosk is affectionately dedicated to Coyne, as his departure was deeply felt. I am sure Kiosk will continue to be successful even with his absence, but his influence is left within this perfect binding. Thank you for your dedication to your students, your co-workers, and your craft, Dr. Coyne.
My unending thanks is also offered to Tatum Skaff, Leslie Werden, Jeff Gordon, Shelby Prindaville, Abby Koch, Cortney Klocke, and Elizabeth Obermeier, as they created the most resilient staff I could have asked for. My associate editors, Leah Erdmann, Evelyn Williams, and Kailyn Robert, made my job seamless and smooth with their reader’s reports and never-ending support. Ally Hecht, Senior Digital Editor for the second year, and Ben Heib, Associate Digital Editor, helped continue our online presence with new video elements and the promise of a magazine in the midst of a global crisis. Kiosk exists today because of everything they have done. Finally, thank you to President Reynders and Morningside College for your continued support. I truly hope that Kiosk 2020 provides you, our readers, authors, and artists, with a newfound strength in numbers. Reality tends to push us harder than we think possible, but this publication proves to stand that we exist in strength.
Chief Editor, Mari Pizzini
If there was an accurate description of what it was like working on Kiosk 2020, it would be the feeling of a rollercoaster that never lets you catch your breath. From beginning to end, us art editors have felt every new challenge as a sharp turn or a loop da loop. All of us on the art team this year gained from these unexpected turns, both as designers and as people.
Every step this year wouldn’t have been successfully taken without the help of Elizabeth Obermeier and Jeff Gordon, our interim faculty advisor. Elizabeth has been a tremendous help with every step and a fabulous intern. Jeff’s wisdom, willingness to tackle the challenge with us, and learning about the publication really helped us get through our Kiosk rollercoaster. Both Courtney and I can’t say thank you enough to both Elizabeth and Jeff with all they have done to help make this publication happen.
Much like 2020 so far, there were a lot of challenges. It was an honor for all of us on the design team to take on this challenging year of Kiosk, but we are so incredibly proud of the end result. From all of us on the Kiosk art team, we are proud to present the 2020 Kiosk.
Art Editors, Courtney Klocke, Abby Koch, and Elizabeth Obermeier
