Baily’s Beads to unveil horror-filled issue

The University of Pittsburgh at Bradford’s creative arts magazine, Baily’s Beads, will hold a celebration Wednesday for the launch of its 2024 issue. 

Admission is free and the public is invited to the event, which will be held at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 24 in the Mukaiyama University Room in the Frame-Westerberg Commons. It is co-sponsored by Pitt-Bradford Arts and the Pitt-Bradford creative and professional writing  program.

Attendees can expect live readings from magazine contributors, an open mic for those interested in sharing their own creative work, refreshments and prizes. The celebration will also acknowledge awards for the 2023 issue from the American Scholastic Press Association. For the tenth time, Baily’s Beads received first place with special merit and the award for Best University Magazine. 

The 2023 issue was edited by Aaron Suranofsky, a writing graduate from Johnsonburg. Cover art was by Mik Mortimer, an interdisciplinary arts major from Beaver Falls.

The 2024 Baily’s Beads is marking more than three decades of editions. To find the issue online as well as a decade’s worth of past editions, visit 2024.bailysbeads.org/. For 2024, the publication is taking a horror-themed direction. The issue will tackle the theme with fiction, nonfiction, graphic narratives, art, and poetry crafted by Pitt-Bradford students, staff and alumni. Also included in the issue will be a “creature feature,” which the website remarks will “add a little break in the malicious and macabre.” 

Dr. Nancy McCabe, professor of writing and director of the writing program, praised the publication: “We've long been proud of the awards that the magazine has won, the high quality of the work we publish, and our staff’s experimentation and innovations with images and content. The magazine is central to the writing and interdisciplinary arts programs.”

For many years, McCabe was the faculty advisor for the staff. This year, she has taken a supportive role as Karen Bell, instructor of writing at Pitt-Bradford, stepped in as primary advisor. “I've really enjoyed taking on the role of advisor for Baily’s Beads because the publication creates space for interdisciplinary campus collaboration between faculty, staff, student, and alumni,” Bell said. “As the advisor, my challenges have been minimal because the staff were really excited about the horror theme and how they might create designs and promotional material to enhance written submissions.” 

Art advisor for the 2024 issue was Sunyoung Lee, assistant professor of art.

Editor-in-chief and promotion director for the 2024 issue is Sara Micholas, an English and writing major from Cheektowaga, N.Y. 

Working alongside Micholas on the staff for the 2024 issue were Sydney Fowler, an interdisciplinary arts major from Rural Valley, chief designer; Randy Mong, an English major from Russell, assistant editor and promotion manager; Sean Luce, a writing major from Bradford, editorial assistant; and Maddie Cincala, a biology major from Natrona Heights, assistant designer and art editor. 

Additional editors and members of the promotion team were Angelique Burns, a writing major from North Warren; Abby Mccullough, an interdisciplinary arts major from Aliquippa, Madyson Trama, a writing major from Scranton, and Gabrielle Wells, a writing major from Shillington.

Former editor consultants were Gabriel Lyra, a former writing student from Rio De Janeiro; Suranofsky; Natalie Mix, a former interdisciplinary arts student from Bradford; and Ambria Richardson, an English graduate.

Other staff members were Blake Bernhard, a business management major from Mount Jewett; Caitlinn Elliot, an English education 7-12 major from Bradford; and Brenna Willmot.

The magazine is currently accepting submissions to be featured in its 2025 issue. To submit your work, visit 2024.bailysbeads.org/submissions/. 

For more information about Baily’s Beads or Pitt-Bradford Arts, visit www.upb.pitt.edu/TheArts.