Dear Reader,
Welcome to the inaugural issue of Corpus Callosum, Ebling Library’s new arts journal showcasing the art work of the faculty, staff, and students of the UW-Madison health sciences community.
When we put out the call for submissions for the first issue of Corpus Callosum, we had no idea what to expect. So when we received nearly 70 submissions, we were floored by not only the response but by the realization that so many people in our community make art in addition to the myriad other responsibilities they have.
To everyone who submitted, whether published or not, thank you for allowing the team to experience your work. It was no easy feat to review all the fantastic submissions and decide what to publish. To our readers, thank you for your interest in the arts and the work featured here. To the review team, thank you for your time going through all the amazing art we received.
We live in challenging and trying times, as we face down a pandemic and long-held systemic racism, two themes addressed by some of the work in this issue. As we fight both, we need as much hope and joy as we can get. And thus, it is with immense pleasure I have the privilege to unveil the publication of this issue with 23 pieces of visual art, music, and writings from a diverse array of voices that I am optimistic will be a slice of hope and joy in your world right now. The art and humanities are proving more and more to be of great benefit and partnership to the health sciences, and I would argue the art in this journal is testament to that idea.
We need art—be it written, visual, musical or other forms. So to all those making art: please do not stop. We need you, we need your work. The world needs it.
Thank you and be well.
Sincerely,
Lia Vellardita
Managing Editor