About
Smudge
Smudge began when a group of undergraduate students discovered the fear and apprehension many POC writers and artists face submitting their work to predominantly white publications. Together they formed Smudge in hopes of creating a space and platform where writers and artists of color feel safe submitting.
The name of this magazine comes from a poem called "Smudge" by Malachi Jones. His work was featured in Scholastic Art & Writing Awards. The poem won the Gold Medal Portfolio, the highest honor of the 2018 Scholastic Art & Writing Awards.
The final line of his poem captures Smudge's presence on campus: "A black mass against a bright canvas." Rather than hiding away, Smudge takes pride in this presence.
Mission
Statement
Smudge is a literary magazine that welcomes writers from cultural and ethnic viewpoints that are generally underrepresented. We aim to promote writers of color and create a space and platform where artists of color feel that they won't be misinterpreted or undervalued.