Three University of Mississippi students are preparing to launch The Omnia Review, a campus magazine featuring artists who create work that represents the human spirit.
Arkasha McGinness, a senior film major, Mailynn Nguyen, a senior integrated marketing communications major, and Kayt Davis, a sophomore English and economics double major, have collaborated to publish a student-run magazine inclusive to all majors and artforms.
Unlike other student-led publications, The Omnia Review has a more obscure name, not directly referencing the university or the subject of focus. The founders were intentional about the name, wanting the magazine to
have a reputation apart from the school.
“I wanted something that could be exterior of Ole Miss and feel like its own,” McGiness said. “So I was just thinking of what name would represent what I want to do, and I said, ‘Well, I want to make print media or a magazine that incorporates everything.’ So I did Omnia, which is the Latin word for everything.”
The editors expect to publish their first edition of The Omnia Review during the first week of the spring semester.
“Right now it’ll be online at least for our first issue,” McGinness said. “We hope to have (a) physical (edition) for the future, but that depends on funding and what (the Student Activities Association) decides for Registered Student Organizations.”
Oxford has a wealthy history of working artists who fuel a demand for sharing work accessibly.
“Last year, I got into short story writing, and I started to really love prose writing,” McGinness said. “I wanted something that would be out there for any major. Like Square Magazine, you have people of all different majors being part of a fashion magazine, which I think is pretty cool, so I wanted something like that, that other majors could be a part of. As a film major, I thought ‘How could I be as inclusive as possible?’”
Baylie Rice, a senior creative writing major, has submitted several written works to The Omnia Review, and she said her decision to submit to the magazine was influenced by McGinness’ enthusiasm.
“I had read a poem for the (English department’s) open mic, so (McGinness) came to tell me how much he liked it and was interested in my work,” Rice said. “He seemed to be genuinely interested and I am always looking for places to accept my writing, so I decided to submit a few things.”
The magazine will be inclusive to the artists as well as all forms of expression. While many groups on campus have publications focused on a particular artistic medium such as photography, fashion or writing, The Omnia Review seeks to mix and mingle its art forms.
“Our goal is also to combine all types of media,” McGinness said. “We’re hoping to do prose, short stories, plays, paintings, sculptures and just any way that people can channel their work. The goal is to help the artistic community and enrich it. … Any way we can do that is good for me.”
McGinness said the guidelines for submissions allow for creative freedom.
“It’s an open, free submission type of deal,” McGinness said. “We’re trying to make it as chill as possible. The only rule is that you have to be enrolled in the university, grad student or undergrad. And our first deadline is Nov. 2. You can also submit an artist statement and a cover letter, but those are optional.”
The submission form for The Omnia Review can be found on the Instagram page @omnia_review. Any interested students with questions can email the editors at omniareview@gmail.com.
