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Nexus: Into the Minds of Creatives

Library | Photos by Qusai Takuri | The Wright State Guardian


Nexus is a magazine that began as an insert in the Wright State Guardian student newspaper in 1965 and has since been published regularly. Some artists behind 2022 published Nexus creations discussed deeper insight into ideas and creative processes of the submission. 

About Nexus

The literary magazine started as only accepting creative writing, but has since expanded to include illustrations, photography and other non-written art forms. Today, Nexus is published in a digital format and accepts submissions from the Wright State University community, including students, staff, faculty and alumni.

Gavin Mead | “Morte

Gavin Mead, a senior photography student, recently submitted a photograph to Nexus. Mead used a double exposure in the submission, which involves layering two images on top of eachother. 

“It was a double exposure I did on 35mm negative film. I just wanted to combine gothic and Victorian-esque portraiture with the broken theme of memento mori. I also wanted to utilize my friend’s house as it had so much cool detail in it,” Mead said.

Mead also voiced the reason for submitting. After noticing a flier in the Creative Arts Center, Mead decided the idea would be beneficial. 

“I wanted to start putting more work out there by whatever means necessary, and I figured uploading there would’ve been a good idea to do it,” Mead said.

Mead provided an insight into the creative process and collaborative journey of the submission.

“I actually worked with my model a lot as it’s important to see what their ideas are too. Also, I made sure I got a good sense of the house so I could make the feeling of the photo consistent,” Mead detailed.

Anna Hedges | “My Explanations

Anna Hedges, a freshman in vocal performance, recently uploaded a poem to Nexus.

“I uploaded a poem I wrote a couple years ago. It was during COVID where I joined an online social justice youth camp through the University of South Carolina,” Hedges said.

Hedges also explained the creative process of the work. During the camp, the organizers did an exercise for the participants to write about where each is from. For Hedges, this experience caused self-reflection. 

“I started thinking I’m not from where I live because I move around a lot. This one didn’t really feel like a process, it was more of me spewing whatever I had in my mind,” Hedges said.

Chloe Combs | “an imitation of self

Chloe Combs, a liberal studies junior, lately uploaded a photograph submission to Nexus. Combs expressed the background and process of the submission.

“It was for a class, we had to do something with mirrors, and my family has a corn field behind their house, and my brother is a good model. I just asked him to put a mirror under his face and point it at the sky because I thought it would look pretty,” Combs said.

Combs also voiced the desire to be unique in the submission.

“I don’t want to make boring pictures, anyone can take a picture, but I want to make mine more interesting,” Combs said.

Reflection on creativity

The three artists also voiced personal opinions on creativity as well as advice to students who are considering uploading to Nexus.

Mead and Combs expressed that one can be born with a creative talent but work hard to complement it. 

“It’s about how much you push yourself to actually produce work,” Combs said.

Mead expressed a similar view. To Mead, creative roots do not have to start with family or inborn talent. 

“People need to learn their craft to further develop their creativity,” Mead explained. 

Hedges, however, expressed a different view.

“I used to think it was learned. Now, I think it is something you’re born with and you either foster it or you don’t,” Hedges said.

All three creatives urged students who are considering uploading to do so.

“I would say do it. I think it can be a very cool thing to foster other young writers,” Hedges exclaimed.

Combs agreed with Hedges. According to Combs, one benefit of the Nexus submission process is that nobody has to see the face behind the work. Combs provided a personal philosophy about submitting.

“You only live once, nobody’s going to see your face on the work, it’s just a picture of whatever you upload,” Combs said.

Readers can find more information about the Nexus Literary Journal, submissions and authors on the official journal website


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