Sand Canyon Review Hosts Preview Party Showcasing Student Creativity

Publish Date: May 5, 2026

The production team of Crafton Hills College’s student-run literary and arts magazine, The Sand Canyon Review, welcomed students, artists, and community members to its 2026 preview party on May 5 at the Barbara L. Smith Event Center.

The event offered attendees an early look at the upcoming edition of the publication while providing a space to connect with the student editors and contributing artists. Guests enjoyed food and conversation as they celebrated a shared commitment to creative expression.

This year’s edition centers on the theme “Ties That Bind,” inviting contributors to explore the complexities of human connection—from the relationships that sustain us to the forces that challenge individuality. Through poetry, prose, and visual art, the publication aims to highlight the balance between belonging and independence.

The event also reflected a broader philosophy embraced within Crafton’s creative writing community: with great power comes great responsibility. Faculty members Edward Ferrari and Ryan Bartlett have long championed this mindset, building classes, workshops, and clubs designed to cultivate emerging writers and artists. Their efforts have helped foster spaces where creativity can thrive—including The Sand Canyon Review itself. Originally founded in the 1990s, the magazine went dormant before being revived in 2007, when Bartlett was asked to bring it back to life.

Now guided by faculty advisor Professor Lauren Bond, the publication continues to evolve while staying rooted in its mission to uplift diverse voices. The preview party not only marked a milestone in the production of the 2026 issue but also underscored the college’s ongoing commitment to nurturing the next generation of creators.