Announcing SCC's Annual Vortex Creative Writing and Art Competition!
We are currently accepting submissions for SCC’s award-winning Vortex Literary and Art Journal. For rules and submission guidelines, please visit the Vortex Submission Website.
- Submission Deadlines:
- Art: Friday, February 27, 2026
- Writing and Music: Friday, March 13, 2026
- Native Voices and Visions: Friday, March 13, 2026
Every Spring Semester, SCC's creative students can submit their writing, artwork, and music for possible inclusion in our award-winning, student-designed, and produced Vortex Literary and Art Journal. Any student enrolled in a minimum of one credit hour during the academic year is eligible to submit Poetry, Creative Nonfiction (Essay), Short Story, Script (Play or Screenplay), Painting, Drawing, Sculpture, Photography, Illustration, Graphic Design, or Music Composition. All selected winners will receive a stipend, publication credit, copies of the 2026 Vortex Literary and Art Journal, and an invitation to attend the 2026 Vortex Celebration and Awards Ceremony on April 30, 2026. For more information, please contact [email protected].
Native Voice & Visions Category
Applicants who are registered tribal members are encouraged to submit their artwork and writing to the Native Voices and Visions contest category for special recognition of their artistic and cultural contributions to our community. For additional information, please contact [email protected].
National League of American PEN Women Award
Every year, the Scottsdale Chapter of the National League of American PEN Women graciously awards one of our First-Place student winners a $500 prize. This vital and vibrant organization holds dear its mission "to encourage, recognize, and promote the production of creative work of professional standard in art, letters, and music." The 2026 NLAPW winner will be selected from the Music category.
Congratulations to all of our 2025 Vortex Literary and Art Journal winners!
First Place – Jeanne, Whom the Stars Envy” by Kris Ortiz
Second Place – “My Life” by Aranya Altair
Third Place – “I Saw You at Costco” by Victoria Sanders
Honorable Mention - “Heartbreak and Buffets” by Amanda Semma
First Place – “Powwow” by Angelika Zgainer
Second Place – “Pink Flowers in Vase” by Barbara Goldberg
Third Place - “Poison” by Anastysya Martin
Honorable Mention - “About to Turn 22” by Gemma Leslie
First Place – “Launch Party” by Jodie Snyder
Second Place – “A Brighter Day” by John Anderson
Third Place - “Cafe Colibri” by Angelika Minoli
Honorable Mention - “Cold Feet” by Amanda Semma
First Place – “Atlantis” by Scott Sutton
Second Place – “Ballerina Dolls” by Sheri Hanchar
Third Place – “Lori 1” by Emanuel Aguirre
Honorable Mention - “Restful” by Carole Bultema
First Place (Tie) - “Devil’s Claw” by Sena Andrews
First Place (Tie) - “The If and the Why” by Alyssa Francisco
Third Place - “My Call to Arms” by Aranya Altair
First Place – “Windsong” by David Zwicky
Second Place – “Mr. Tune” by Kimberly Gluscic
Third Place – “Phoenix” by David Zwicky
Honorable Mention – “Moon, Sun, & Earth” by Kate Rogers Guaderrama
First Place – “Threads” by Mary Sholtis
Second Place – “Instead” by Rene J. McGovern
Third Place – “Does Everybody Everywhere Have Dark Dreams of Free Falling?” by Rain Russo
Honorable Mention – “Pudding Club” by Celestia Gold
First Place – “The Metamorphosis Book Cover Reimagined” by Morgan West
Second Place – “Oktoberfest” by Kristy Ferrier
Third Place – “Do Not Buy This Jacket” by Finn Taylor
Honorable Mention - “Vivid Sydney Iron Cross” by Kaitlyn Haney
First Place – “Stardust” by Elissa Meylor
Second Place – “Glow Walk” by Darren Harris
Third Place – “Typography Portrait” by Barbara Analla
Honorable Mention - “Seeing Yellow” by Angela Wong
First Place - “Love Sick” by Sonja Randall
Second Place - “Identifying Marks” by David Mello
Third Place - “Ball Don’t Lie” by Breana Novero
First Place - “Before I Go’ by Shaquill Colbert
First Place - “El Verano es El Diablo en Arizona” by Sasson Afshari
Second Place - “Calaverita a Mi Gato” by Sienna Fragale
Third Place - “Calaverita al Flaco” by Angelo Leonardi
Congratulations CCHA Literary Contest Winners
SCC’s 2025 Vortex Literary and Art Journal took Second Place in the Southwestern Region in the Community College Humanities Associations' Best Literary Magazine competition! Five of our students also received individual awards in the "Best of" categories for the Southwestern Region.