Youth. On the surface, it isn’t special; it’s a common denominator that we all share. Yet, we still revel in frequent bouts of nostalgia.  When we’re young, we want nothing but to grow up, and sometimes, after we’ve grown up, we want to return to days when life was nothing more than a small blip nestled on the horizon.  What is it about youth that is so enticing? And what can we uncover about the human condition in its examination?

Tracy Kerdman

lives and works in New York, New York.

Doug D’Elia

was born in Massachusetts. He is a graduate of the University of Central Florida (Philosophy and Religion), and served as a medic during the Vietnam War. He is the author of four books. A complete list of his published work and projects can be seen at his web page: dougdelia.com

Julia Dittberner

grew up and attended art school in Southeast Michigan, ever drawn to negative space and positive outlooks. She now lives in Los Angeles with her husband and works as a floral designer and event stylist, finding inspiration in nature and parties, travel and tiny studios. Her work can be found at analogcollage.com

Kristin Hough

is an artist from Ventura, CA, currently working towards her MFA at UC Davis. Her work investigates the curated landscape and documentary nature of American tourism. More work can be seen at www.kristinhough.com.

Dmitry Borshch

was born in Dnepropetrovsk, studied in Moscow, today lives in New York. His paintings have been exhibited at the National Arts Club (New York), Brecht Forum (New York), ISE Cultural Foundation (New York), the State Russian Museum (Saint Petersburg).

Liza Mattison

is a delightfully endearing southpaw who holds her MFA from Spalding University under strong light the better to admire it. Writer, painter, mushroom forager, wife, she might appropriately be called a dilettante. Inappropriately, she might be called–– well, never mind. When not penning tushery or tending to the needs of her household loves, she lives a life of shadowy mystery and intrigue, the details of which are occasionally chronicled at http://lizamattison.blogspot.com

Bianca Diaz

is an artist and educator from Chicago. She is currently working towards a Master of Arts in creative process in Ireland. She believes in the necessity of being surrounded by a strong community to help a person become a happy, independent human who holds the power to help others. Using art and education as her tools, she strives to be instrumental in the collaborative creation of these communities.

Aaron Arreguin

is a filmmaker, photographer and educator who’s mission is to use contemporary film and art practices to develop alternative forms of documentation. He has been a faculty member of Spiral Workshop at the University of Illinois at Chicago and served as an instructor for after school programs and community based organizations. Aaron currently works for Chicago Public Schools as lead Digital Media instructor for Carl Schurz High School.

Maija Ekey

lives and works in Ridgewood, Queens. She enjoys reliving 8th grade by making shrines to Heath Ledger and wistfully listening to The Hives. You can see more of her at maijaelizabethekey.com and maijaeliz.tumblr.com.

Monica McClure

McClure ’s debut poetry collection, Tender Data, will be published by Birds, LLC in spring 2015. She is the author of the chapbooks, “Mood Swing,” from Snacks Press and “Mala,” published by Poor Claudia. Her poems and prose have appeared or are forthcoming in Tin House, Jubilat, Fence, The Los Angeles Review, The Lit Review, Lambda Literary Review’s Spotlight Series, The Awl, Spork, Intercourse, CultureStrike and elsewhere.

Morgan Maher

is a Junior at the Savannah College of Art and Design. She is located in Savannah, Baltimore, and NYC.