CLC News The news and events from Central Lakes College
The Bent Pine Journal, Central Lakes College’s award-winning literary and arts publication, recently announced the student award winners of its 6th volume.
Run by the Bent Pine Journal Club, this journal publishes art and writing from CLC students, staff and faculty. New this year, the Lakes Area Writers Alliance funded the writing award winners and will be publishing the pieces from the winning students in their annual publication, “The Storyville Project”.
This publication was inspired by the original Bent Pine, which was first published back in the 1960s at Brainerd Junior College. Every year, English and Art instructors at CLC select three writing award winners, three visual art winners, and one cover winner from student submissions. Each winning student receives $100.
The college holds an event each year to celebrate the publication and the winners. Students also get a chance to read from their work and share about their art at the event.
“This journal is a joy to work on because The Bent Pine student club that drives it is so committed to providing an outlet for the many creative and talented students at CLC,” said Brandy Lindquist, CLC writing instructor and Bent Pine Journal Club advisor. “They are passionate and work hard on this project–they believe in the power of art and know the imperative of keeping the arts alive at CLC. These students care deeply about the Bent Pine Journal and all of the people impacted by its pages. We are glad to join a rich diversity of arts options at the college, including the Verse Like Water poetry series, the Performing Arts opportunities, the Art Department’s gallery exhibits, and so much more.”
Winners for the 2025 volume:
Faculty Selection Writing Awards (funded by LAWA)
Charlie Smart: The Garden of Mary-Beth (non-fiction essay)
Ella Hautala: Sister of the Forsaken (poem)
Andrew Stone: The Sanity of Man (poem)
Faculty Selection Art Winners:
Ashlyn Stroot: Starry Night Airplanes (sculpture)
Olivia Laxen: Near Escape (drawing)
Della Koep: A Fall Morning (photograph)
Faculty Selection Cover Winner:
Kara Hoffman: La Metamorfosis Del Alma (painting)
Bent Pine Journal Club Officers:
Jordan Eastman: President
Jenna Jensen: Vice President
Jesse Engen: Treasurer
Members: Emma Watson, Taylor Koons, Eileen Borg, Dashiell Moreland, Hannah Ellstrom, Carolyn Nix
