Katy Smith (‘23) is a communications major, theatre and writing minor at Hope. Her passions lie in the arts, specifically playwriting, poetry, performing, and any music that makes you feel wanderlust. She is so honored to be the Anchor’s Arts Editor! She strives to give Hope’s wonderful arts programs the platform they deserve.
Throughout history, artists have been forced to master the art (no pun intended) of pinpointing the entertainment needs of the masses. During the Renaissance, many visual artists and architects assimilated their styles to match the aesthetics of the people. Thankfully during COVID-19, many intelligent artists have strayed from making art that revolves around the current…
Billie Holiday elegantly walks onto stage, takes one diaphragm-engaging breath, and begins her song. Soft jazz plays behind her, making a haunting feeling creep over the audience. “Black bodies swingin’ in the Southern breeze / Strange fruit hangin’ from the poplar trees,” her bell-like voice sings. A young Bob Dylan quickly strums his acoustic guitar,…
Many cultural phenomena came out of the 1990s, so much so that much of the 2010s was spent chasing after ’90s nostalgia. There was something about that decade that so many people in our nation want to hold onto. The phrase “times were simpler” might help explain why this is so. If there is one…
Two weeks ago, I published an article in The Anchor’s Arts section entitled “In defense of country music.” In this article, I discussed the history, meaning and stars of today’s country genre. I have since recognized the colossal misstep I have made and would like to take this week’s article to apologize. You see, Hope…
Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) is the most common example of the popular genre of game known as the tabletop roleplay game (TTRPG). Created in 1974, Dungeons & Dragons has been an outlet for people all over the world. It is a community builder where friends gather to be immersed in the daunting adventures and deep…
Big green tractors. An ice cold beer. Blue jeans and dirt-covered work boots. This imagery might make you think of the early 2000s. You might be transported to your grandfather’s truck with artists like Jason Aldean and Kenny Chesney singing their Southern-accented hearts out through the car radio. On the other side of things, you…
As your email inbox may have clued you in at the beginning of the month, Hope College’s literary magazine known as Opus began taking submissions for its fall semester edition. The magazine takes written work such as poetry, flash fiction and prose, as well as visual art submissions such as photography, digital art and paintings….
Drip, drip, drip… Striking the match and drip dropping it in the sink on a bad day. Worse day. Creaky, cracky faucet shrieks as the knobs are turned–– Full speed ahead! All the water released, falling to its death far below on the drainless porcelain bowl. Splash! Full speed ahead! I am an overflowing sink….
Last week I wrote an article discussing the portrayal of mental illness and trauma in young adult fiction. In writing that, I realized literature is not the only kind of media we should be concerned with. The coming-of-age movie is a subgenre of film that has been around for decades. A coming-of-age movie is defined…
As the fall semester begins, Hope College students are getting back into their academic routines. For some, this process is simple – all it takes is a week to memorize their schedules, meet their professors and say hello to all their friends before the routine is solidified. For others, it can be a grueling process…