The Alexander Muse Debuts With Fantastic New Crop of Creative Teens

Keyley Sigmon garnered the front cover of the 2017 Alexander Muse with "Majesty'.

Novia Shoup's dramatic photograph "Undulate" won first place and the back cover the The Alexander Muse.

 Alexander Friends of the Library sponsored the reception that was free and open to the public at Reformation Lutheran Church in Taylorsville.

Chayton Chumley snagged 1st Place Prose with his moving piece "That Dragon, Cancer". 

Published students and coordinators photographed at the reception: (front row, left to right) Tessla Patterson, Rhiannon Griffith, Novia Shoup, Shelby Corriher, Hunter Addington, Alexander Muse Coordinator Robbin Isenhour Stewart. (Back row) Alexander Muse Coordinator Mel Hager, Kasey Wood, Ashley Woodie, Chayton Chumley, Janah Bucknum, Reid Coffey, Keyley Sigmon, Bryce Bowman, Alyssa Collins, Gracie Norton, Courtney Gant, and Alexander Muse Coordinator Beth Duncan. Not pictured: Tatiana Pierre, Caroline Erkman, Daniel Ervin, Ryan Masnicki, Tou Vang, Jacavian Voss, and Caleb Williams. 

Congratulations to all the published students!  

The Alexander Muse wishes to thank: Alexander Friends of the Library, Reformation Lutheran Church, Micah Henry and The Taylorsville Times, the judges, assistant Courtney Gant, and reception assistants, Sarah Fox and Autumn Pennell. Many thanks also to those who donated prizes to support the students and the arts.

1^st Place Art - Alexander Friends of the Library

2^nd Place Art – Hiddenite Arts and Heritage Center

3^rd Place Art – Linda Merry Parker, Local Potter with Mery Pottins

1^st Place Photography – Alexander Friends of the Library

2^nd Place Photography – Suzanne Williams, REALTOR®, Coldwell Banker Boyd & Hassell

3^rd Place Photography - Jacqueline Moose - Independent Jamberry Consultant

1^st Place Prose – Alexander Friends of the Library

2^nd Place Prose – The United Way of Alexander County

3^rd Place Prose – Dale and Dianne White with Draggin W Farm

1^st Place Poetry – Alexander Friends of the Library

2^nd Place Poetry – Maskcara Beauty, Amanda Parker, Independent Artist

3^rd Place Poetry - Hiddenite Arts and Heritage Center

Judges for the 2017 edition: ART – Ellen Ball, Meredith Janssen, and Laura Crooks; PROSE – James Ford, LaRonya Teague, and Deborah Reynolds; POETRY – Beverly Finney, Doug McHargue, and Bud Caywood; PHOTOGRAPHY – C. Joe Young, Carol Anne Hartman, and Chad Ritchie.

The magazine is a collaborative effort of Alexander County Library and Alexander County Schools.  Submissions are currently accepted for consideration to be in the 2018 edition.  Email digital entries of poetry, prose, and photography to thealexandermuse@gmail.com . Art items should be entered at the library or to Robbin Isenhour Stewart at Alexander Central High School. High school students from Alexander County, regardless of educational institution, are eligible to enter.