Explore Student Work

Banner by Everett Bologna

Wheaton College MA

We are excited to announce the annual theme for the upcoming issue: Oddities and Curiosities.
This theme invites writers and artists to explore the stories, memories, and emotions woven into everyday objects. From the smallest trinket to the grandest artifact, what makes an item meaningful? How do possessions shape identity and memories? We welcome submissions that delve into the significance behind items, whether fictional or nonfictional, symbolic or literal.
YOUR SUBMISSIONS DO NOT HAVE TO FOLLOW THE THEME. We can’t wait to see your unique, creative works!

Black outline drawing of a woman figure with flowers on a white background

girl with flowers by Mandi Zhu

Pinterest Inspo Board

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First founded in 1855, Rushlight has always been devoted to publishing art and writing created by Wheaton College students. Although each issue has a unique theme, we publish all kinds of creative work that is curated by our art and literary teams. Submissions are currently open for our next issue, Oddities and Curiosities, and we look forward to continuing our mission of supporting the arts on campus.

Rushlight invites the Wheaton College student body to submit prose, poetry, play excerpts, and visual art, as well as other formats like video and audio files. These submissions will be received by our art and literary teams, which will go through all submissions to determine which ones are the best fits for the magazine. We look forward to giving your work the chance to reach a wider campus audience and hope you will consider submitting to our next issue.
In addition to the magazine, the Rushlight team is responsible for hosting a variety of events throughout the year. At the end of each spring semester, we launch our newest issue with the Spring into Rushlight event, where writers are given a chance to read their newly published works and visual art submissions are put on display. Additionally, we host other events throughout the year that aim to provide spaces for the Wheaton art and writing communities to engage with their creativity and socialize with one another.
The Rushlight team is composed of diligent student volunteers who work year-round to bring the Rushlight Art & Literary Magazine to life. We are split up into many teams, including literary editors, art editors, layout, web, social media, and events. Coordinated by our exec board, each team has something unique to offer that keeps Rushlight moving. Although our 2025 hiring process is complete, we will open hiring applications again at the start of the fall 2026 semester.
Every year, the Rushlight exec board chooses a theme for our annual issue. While we hope this inspires artists and writers to create interesting and unique works, your submissions do not have to fit the theme in order to be published in Rushlight. This year's theme: Oddities and Curiosities.

Photograph of a white swan against a green leafy background

Swan by Rebekah Roth Ramos

Welcome to Rushlight, your student-led art & literary magazine celebrating the creative voices of fellow students at Wheaton College, MA! Here, your work finds a welcoming home, where passion meets publication. Whether you're a first-time writer or a seasoned creator, we’re excited to support your journey and share your unique stories and art in our next issue. Dive in, explore, and let your creativity shine bright with us!