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Dragonfly Arts Magazine
Only one thing is more frightening
than speaking your truth,
And that is not speaking.
-Audre Lorde
It is not by chance that our arts magazine is entitled Dragonfly. The dragonfly has been a centuries old symbol for change, a special type of transformation, one wrought from crisis but ending in self-realization and a deeper understanding of the meaning of life. This experience is often reflected in the lives of the people we serve at HopeWorks and you’ll hear it in some of the voices on the pages to follow. This transformation is rarely an easy one and as humans, we sometimes feel so very limited in how to bare the intensity of our thoughts and feelings. This struggle to create something beautiful and inspirational from the dark places is somehow mystical and pedestrian at the same time – something that is hard to fathom, yet a common daily occurrence.
Congratulations to each of our contributing artists who were brave enough to articulate their own deep emotions and unique perspectives on life.
Self-expression through art gives wind to the wings of the dragonfly and we thank these artists who were generous enough to give us a window into their transformational journeys.
Vanita Leatherwood, M.A., TLA | Director of Community Engagement
Submissions to Dragonfly 2023 are now open!
SUBMISSION GUIDELINES
Dragonfly arts magazine is a publication of HopeWorks of Howard County Maryland. Themes for submitted work (both visual and literary) should focus on reflections about activism, oppression, love, advocacy, hope, transformative justice, trauma, racial and gender equity, intersectionality, relationships, healing, or self-care. Writers/Artists do not have to be survivors.
2023 Submission Season: October 1, 2022, to March 31, 2023
Submitting early in the submission season is encouraged. Acceptance notifications will be
e-mailed in June 2023.
Literary Arts Submissions
Poetry: submissions are limited to 3 poems
Prose/Fiction: should be double spaced and not exceed 4,000 words
Literary arts submissions must be submitted as a WORD document.
Visual Arts Submissions
Artists must ensure high quality of images. You may submit a portfolio of one to four images as a PNG or JPEG files ONLY.
All Submissions
Please specify the genre of the work, your name and pseudonym (if any), the word count (prose only), complete mailing address, phone, and email information. Submit a bio (75-word maximum) written in the third person.
Agreements
Dragonfly arts magazine reserves the right to use images of the artwork on its website and social media. The artist submitting their work understands that inclusion is not guaranteed as this is a juried opportunity. Artist retains full copyright of the work. Images will not be used by Dragonfly arts magazine aside from the print issue, interviews, social media posts. You will be notified if a submission will be published. Contributors will receive two free copies of the magazine. Financial compensation is not available. By submitting artwork via this process, the artist agrees to the terms outlined above.
Save the Date
Look for upcoming details about The Ninth Annual Dragonfly The Poetry Reading & Gallery Walk that will be held on Thursday, June 22, 2023. The event features the work of Dragonfly published literary and visual artists as well as an open mic.
