Cal State LA Department of English | Statement Magazine

Announcements

Click on over to Statement Online for information about Statement's 2024 issue!

 

About Statement

The history of Statement -- California State University, Los Angeles’s student-run journal of literature and art -- predates Cal State LA’s arrival on the current campus in 1958. Launched in 1950 on the Vermont campus of Los Angeles State College, Statement is one of the oldest run university literary magazines in the nation.  Major national and international writers and artists have appeared in its pages side by side with gifted students, many of whom have gone on to become highly respected figures themselves.  Statement’s pages have been graced by former US Poet Laureate Rita Dove and Los Angeles Poet Laureates Eloise Klein Healy and Luis Rodriguez, along with countless others including Wanda Coleman, Charles Bukowski, Ai, Carolyn See, Sesshu Foster, Michael C. Ford, and Jervey Tervalon.    

Students gain valuable professional and educational experience by assuming responsibility for all aspects of producing this magazine, and learning many new skills.  Statement has been distinguished with national recognition. In 2008, the magazine received the National Program Director’s Prize in Content from AWP (Association of Writers and Writing Programs), competing against the literary magazines of 400 universities.  The legacy continues to this day, as Statement continues in amplifying student voices and connecting generations of writers. Long may it live!

 

Partial Archive of Past Events

Wednesday, April 25, 2018 - Statement 2018 Launch Reception

The launch reception for the 2018 issue of Statement Magazine, the university's journal of literature and art, will take place on Wednesday, April 25, beginning at 5:30 p.m. in the Golden Eagle Ballroom. At the event, this year's student-edited issue will be unveiled and distributed and the Dean's Prizes in Poetry and Prose and the Colonnade Gallery Art Prizes in Painting and Photography will be announced. Contributors to this issue will read from their published poetry and prose, and art from the issue will be exhibited. The event is free and open to the public. Classes are welcome. Doors open for a buffet at 5:30 p.m. with the formal program scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m.

Statement Magazine is both a class (ENGL 3920) and a student organization. This activity offers professional experience and showcases students' literary and artistic achievement. It brings together students with different skills and interests from many departments in the College of Arts and Letters as well as from the entire Cal State LA campus.

 

Wednesday, April 26, 2017 - Statement 2017 Launch Reception

The launch reception for the 2017 issue of Statement Magazine, the university's journal of literature and art, will take place on Wednesday, April 26, beginning at 5:45pm in the Golden Eagle Ballroom. At the event, this year's student-edited issue will be unveiled and distributed and the Dean's Prizes in Poetry and Prose and the Colonnade Gallery Art Prizes in Painting and Photography will be announced. Contributors to this issue will read from their published poetry and prose, and art from the issue will be exhibited. The event is free and open to the public. Classes are welcome. Doors open for a buffet at 5:45pm with the formal program scheduled to begin at 6:30pm.

Statement Magazine is both a class (ENGL 3920) and a student organization. This activity offers professional experience and showcases students' literary and artistic achievement. It brings together students with different skills and interests from many departments in the College of Arts and Letters as well as from the entire Cal State LA campus.

May 19, 2016 - Statement 2016 Launch Reception

 

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 Statement 2016 Launch Reception Flyer

 

The launch reception for the 2016 issue of Statement Magazine, the university's journal of literature and art, will take place on Thursday, May 19, beginning at 5:45pm in the Golden Eagle Ballroom. At the event, this year's student-edited issue will be unveiled and distributed and the Dean's Prizes in Poetry and Prose and the Colonnade Gallery Art Prizes in Painting and Photography will be announced. Contributors to this issue will read from their published poetry and prose, and art from the issue will be exhibited. The event is free and open to the public. Classes are welcome. Doors open for a buffet at 5:45pm with the formal program scheduled to begin at 6:30pm.

Statement Magazine is both a class (ENGL 392) and a student organization. This activity offers professional experience and showcases students' literary and artistic achievement. It brings together students with different skills and interests from many Colleges and Departments at CSULA.

April 1, 2016 - What I Say Reading and Reception

 

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Join us for readings from What I Say: Innovative Poetry by Black Writers in America, This event will be held on Friday, April 1 at 8pm at the new downtown campus of Cal State LA, located at 801 S. Grand Avenue, Suite 600. Scheduled to appear are Will Alexander, C. S. Giscombe, Duriel E. Harris, Harmony Holiday, Geoffrey Jacques, Douglas Kearney, Dawn Lundy Martin, Tracie Morris, Fred Moten, Aldon Lynn Nielsen, Julie Patton, Lauri Ramey, giovanni singleton, and Ronaldo V. Wilson. Refreshments will be served with a book signing to follow.

 

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What I Say Reading and Reception flyer

 

May 28, 2015 - Statement 2015 Launch Reception

Images from the 2015 Statement Launch Reception

 

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 Statement 2015 Launch Reception Flyer

 

The launch reception for the 2015 issue of Statement Magazine, the university's journal of literature and art, will take place on Thursday, May 28, beginning at 5:45pm in the Golden Eagle Ballroom. At the event, this year's student-edited issue will be unveiled and distributed and the Dean's Prizes in Poetry and Prose and the Colonnade Gallery Art Prizes in Painting and Photography will be announced. Contributors to this issue will read from their published poetry and prose, and art from the issue will be exhibited. The event is free and open to the public. Classes are welcome. Doors open for a buffet at 5:45pm with the formal program scheduled to begin at 6:30pm.

Statement Magazine is both a class (ENGL 392) and a student organization. This activity offers professional experience and showcases students' literary and artistic achievement. It brings together students with different skills and interests from many Colleges and Departments at CSULA.

 

Photo of Sonia Sanchez

May 14, 2015 - Sonia Sanchez to Read in Jean Burden Poetry Series

Images from the 2015 Jean Burden Poetry Reading

Sonia Sanchez will read from her works at the 2015 Jean Burden Poetry Reading to be held on Thursday, May 14, 2015. This event will be held in Lecture Hall 132 in the Annenberg Integrated Sciences Complex at the California State University, Los Angeles. Doors will open at 5:45pm for a buffet reception and the program will begin at 6:30pm . . . read more about Sonia Sanchez

April 2015 - National Poetry Month Events

April might be the cruellest month, but not for poets and those interested in poetry. As part of National Poetry Month, the Center for Contemporary Poetry and Poetics and the English Department at Cal State L.A. have scheduled several events of interest to academics, writers, and readers . . . read more about National Poetry Month Events

January 30, 2015 - Statement Accepting Submissions for 2015

Statement Magazine is calling for submissions for the print edition of the 2014-2015 issue. Celebrate and collaborate with CalState L.A.'s journal of literature and art by sending in your creative and critical expressions by January 30, 2015! Details can be found at /statementonline/general-submission-guidelines.

Also, stay tuned for news and announcements about our multimodal digital issue later in the school year!

 

image of Ben Olguin

Nov 6, 2014 - Ben Olguin Poetry Reading

Dr. Ben Olguin, poet and professor from University of Texas, San Antonio, will give a reading of poetry from his new collection Red Leather Gloves on Thursday, November 6, from 3:15-4:15 in KH C 4070. Co-sponsored by the Departments of Chicano Studies and English, Colleges of Arts and Letters and Natural and Social Sciences, and the Center for Contemporary Poetry and Poetics. Free and open to the public.

 

Nov 6, 2014 - Songs Commemorating the 100th Anniversary of WWI

Pianist Paula Fan and baritone Jeremy Huw Williams will present a program of music to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the start of the First World War. The program will feature works from the era as well as modern reflections on the period and the war. . . more about 100th Anniversary of WWI

 

 

Statement 2014 Cover

May 29, 2014 - Statement 2014 Launch Reception

Images from 2014 Statement Launch Reception

The launch reception for the 2014 issue of Statement Magazine, the university's journal of literature and art, will take place on Thursday, May 29, beginning at 5:45pm in the Golden Eagle Ballroom. At the event, this year's student-edited issue will be unveiled and distributed and the Dean's Prizes in Poetry and Prose and the Colonnade Gallery Art Prizes in Painting and Photography will be announced. Contributors to this issue will read from their published poetry and prose, and art from the issue will be exhibited. The event is free and open to the public. Classes are welcome. Doors open for a Mediterranean buffet at 5:45pm with the formal program scheduled from 6:45pm-7:45pm. A closing reception with dessert and coffee, for autographing, photos and socializing takes place from 7:45pm-8:30pm.

Statement Magazine is both a class (ENGL 392) and a student organization. This activity offers professional experience and showcases students' literary and artistic achievement. It brings together students with different skills and interests from many Colleges and Departments at CSULA.

Adobe Acrobat icon Statement Launch Flyer (7 MB)

 

March 6, 2014 - Li-Young Lee to Read in Jean Burden Poetry Series

American poet Li-Young Lee will read from his works at the 2014 Jean Burden Poetry Reading to be held on March 6, 2014. This event will be held in the Golden Eagle Ballroom at the California State University, Los Angeles. Doors will open at 5:45pm for a buffet reception and the program will begin at 6:30pm . . . more about Li-Young Lee

 

 

February 27, 2014 - Nalo Hopkinson to Speak at CSULA

Postcolonial and transnational novelist Nalo Hopkinson will be speaking to the CSULA community about her life and work. Hopkinson, a multiple award-winning science fiction and fantasy writer, teaches creative writing at UC Riverside. The event will be held in the Los Angeles Room of the University Student Union from 6:00-8:00pm and is free and open to the public.

 

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Statement 2013 LaunchMay 16, 2013 - Statement 2013 Launch Reception

The launch reception for the 2013 issue of Statement Magazine, the university's journal of literature and art, will take place on Thursday, May 16, at 6:30 in the Golden Eagle Ballroom. At the event, this year's student-edited issue will be unveiled and distributed and the Dean's Prizes in Poetry and Prose and the Colonnade Gallery Art Awards and Scholarship will be announced. This event is free and open to the public, and refreshments will be served.

Adobe Acrobat iconStatement Launch Flyer

 

picture of Michael C FordFebruary 11, 2013 - Statement Poetry Open House

Please drop by the University Student Union Theatre between 6:00-7:30pm for Statement Magazine's poetry open house co-sponsored by ASI, the Center for Contemporary Poetry and Poetics, Students Speak: Poetry and Music Society, the English Department, and the College of Arts and Letters. 

Featured poets will include staff and contributors to Statement Magazine, the students of ENGL 408/508 (our advanced poetry writing classes), and special guests, including alumni Michael C. Ford, Jasmine Colbert, David Crittendon, and Eric J. Priestley.

 

January 24, 2013 - Statement Presents an Evening of Jazz and Poetry

On Thursday, January 24, Statement presents an evening of live improvisational jazz and poetry. Witness a dynamic reading featuring members of the CSULA Jazz Orchestra, under the direction of Dr. James Ford with special guest Michael C. Ford. . . . more about Statements Presents

picture of Luis Alberto AmbroggioNovember 28, 2012 - Poetry without Borders: U.S. Poetry in Latin America/Hispanic Poetry in the U.S. with Luis Alberto Ambroggio

Luis Alberto Ambroggio will speak on "Poetry without Borders: U.S. Poetry in Latin America/Hispanic Poetry in the U.S." on Wednesday, November 28, 2012, in the Music Hall. A bilingual poetry reading will follow and refreshments will be served. The event begins at 6pm and is free and open to the public.   . . . more about US Poetry in Latin America Adobe Acrobat icon

November 14-15, 2012 - Margaret Hermes, Visiting WriterPhoto of Cover of Hermes' Relative Strangers

Margaret Hermes will be a visiting writer at CSULA on November 14-15. Ms. Hermes will be attending the meeting of Statement Magazine (Salazar Hall C 169) . . . more about Margaet Hermes

 

picture of Eugene RedmondOctober 25, 2012 - DrumVoices: A Critical Conversation and Reading with Eugene B. Redmond

Eugene B. Redmond, Emeritus Professor of English and Founding Editor of Drumvoices Revue, will read from his works and participate in a critical conversation at CSULA. This event will take place on Thursday, October 25, 2012, in the Music Hall, starting at 5pm and is free and open to the public. Professor Redmond's presentation will be followed by a reception with refreshments, and book sales and signing  . . . more about Eugen B. Redmond

 

 

Faculty Adviser

Lauri Ramey E & T A613 (email)

Statement magazine is one of the oldest student-run campus literary magazines in the country. Many past student contributors and staff or faculty advisors have become nationally recognized writers and artists: Jim Krusoe, Sesshu Foster, Carolyn See, Ai, Helena Maria Viramontes, Henri Coulette, John Weston, Jervey Tervalon, Aleida Rodriguez, Frank Romero, Michael Shepler, Dennis Etchison, and Dennis Bartel, among many others.

Statement magazine has twice had the honor of placing in or winning the AWP (Association of Writers and Writing Programs) annual competition for member colleges' student literary magazines, competing with a couple hundred universities and colleges. In 1997, under advisors Mary Bucci Bush and Buddy Roberts, Statement was named a finalist in the content division. In 2007, under advisor Lauri Ramey, the magazine won the competition, enjoying a $500 cash prize and accolades in The Chronicle, AWP's nationally distributed journal.


Recent Issues

May 2010

Statement 2010

The Department of English announces that copies of the 60th anniversary edition of Statement are now available in the department office.  

The award-winning Cal State LA student literary magazine is sponsored by the English Department and the College of Arts and Letters, and features fiction, poetry, drama, creative non-fiction and artwork of CSULA students.

Mexican Day of Dead Style Art for Cover Statement 2010

May 2009

Statement 2009

The Department of English announces the availability of the 2008-2009 edition of Statement. The award-winning Cal State LA student literary magazine is sponsored by the English Department and the College of Arts and Letters, and features fiction, poetry, drama, creative non-fiction and artwork of CSULA students.

Photo of Dilapidated Bulding for Cover Statement 2009


May 2008

Statement 2008

The Department of English announces the availability of the 2007-2008 edition of Statement. The award-winning Cal State LA student literary magazine is sponsored by the English Department and the College of Arts and Letters, and features fiction, poetry, drama, creative non-fiction and artwork of CSULA students.

 

Photo of Skyline for Cover of Statement 2008


May 2007

Statement 2007

The Department of English announces the availability of the 2006-2007 edition of Statement. This Cal State LA student literary magazine is sponsored by the English Department and the College of Arts and Letters, and features fiction, poetry, drama, creative non-fiction and artwork of CSULA students  . . . more about Statement 2007

 

Cover for Statement Magazine 2007