The Emporia State creative writing program has invited the public to attend a ribbon cutting for the new location of the Donald Reichardt Center for Publishing and Literary Arts at 2:30 p.m. on Feb. 14. The ribbon cutting will conclude the annual Founders’ Day events, which include the Founders’ Day Luncheon and the Friends of the Memorial Union tour. The center is located in Suite 407 of Plumb Hall. 

According to the co-director of the creative writing program Dr. Kevin Rabas, the Reichardt Center has been on campus for decades. The ribbon cutting commemorates the center’s move from the third floor of Plumb to the fourth floor and its recent expansion. 

In addition to the Bluestem Press, Flint Hills Review and Quivira, the Reichardt Center now houses studios for podcasting and cinematography. The cinematography studio will feature lighting kits and professional grade cameras with which, according to Rabas, “you could have a film on Netflix.” The podcasting studio will have sound equipment and a seating area for on-site recording, but equipment will also be available for recording outside the studio. 

“Really, anything you need to be a podcaster or a filmmaker is there,” Rabas said, “and anything you need to be a writer, editor or publisher is there. So we are here to teach core skills, inspire students and get the proper tools into students’ hands.”

Certain classes geared toward creative synthesis and publishing will also be supported by the Reichardt Center. Film classes will host viewings in its facilities for educational purposes and podcasting classes will use the equipment for their projects. The Literary Magazine seminar will allow students to acquire editing experience by working on the Flint Hills Review, which is run through the Reichardt Center. 

The equipment and rooms are already in use. ESU’s Visiting Writers podcast series features interviews and classroom interaction with Midwestern writers from a range of genres. The center has helped to host open mics on campus and is already being used by students to develop their creative passions. 

Rabas wants students to know that the Reichardt Center and its facilities are available to all students. 

“Any students can take creative writing classes for fun,” he said. “Any students can reserve time in the podcasting studio or the cinematography studio. Any students can be a part of Quivira, the creative writing club. We’re open to everyone, including hobbyists and aspiring pros.”