We spoke with Jeri Rogers, founder and editor of Artemis Journal, in our latest Member Spotlight.
What is the history behind Artemis Journal? When was it founded and what is its mission?
Founded in 1976 as a writing workshop for survivors of domestic violence in the misty embrace of Southwest Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains, Artemis Journal began as a luminous sanctuary for voices long silenced. By transforming anguish into art, these workshops offered women not just a tool, but a lifeline: the power to write, to heal, and to reclaim their stories. Over the years, Artemis Journal has blossomed into one of the region’s most enduring and distinctive literary and arts publications, a testament to the resilience and creativity born from adversity.
Across five decades, the Roanoke-based journal has published over three thousand poems and works of art, showcasing both emerging and renowned talents in American literature and visual arts. Pulitzer Prize winners, poets laureate, and new Appalachian voices appear side by side, with visual art and poetry integrated fully throughout Artemis Journal’s pages.
Artemis Journal is celebrating its fiftieth anniversary this year. How are you honoring the occasion, and what are your hopes and goals for the future?
This year, Artemis celebrates its fiftieth anniversary with a public launch event at the Taubman Museum of Art in Roanoke on September 4, 2026, featuring guest speakers US Poet Laureate Arthur Sze and internationally acclaimed artist Michele Oka Doner.
Nurturing the next generation lies at the very heart of our mission. Artemis offers hands-on mentorship to young writers, guiding them through the vibrant process of creating a literary and art journal and compelling social media content. Students from Hollins University gain invaluable experience through our internship program. This year, we are thrilled to join forces with Roanoke City and the Roanoke City Public Library to launch a permanent regional Youth Poet Laureate program. The rising literary voices honored by this program will not only contribute to our legacy, but will also help shape the celebration of our fiftieth anniversary; our distinguished guest, Arthur Sze, will spend an afternoon session with the prospective Youth Poet Laureates.
What can readers look forward to in Artemis Journal’s 2026 issue?
The 2026 edition of Artemis, themed Origins, reflects both where the journal began and how far it has traveled. Juried selections from artists and writers across the region and beyond appear alongside nationally recognized contributors, including US Poet Laureate Arthur Sze; acclaimed poets Nikki Giovanni, Ron Smith, Carolyn Kreiter-Foronda, and Natasha Trethewey; and acclaimed artists Sally Mann, Betty Branch, and Steven Kenny.
Can you tell us about the Artemis Speaks podcast?
Artemis further amplifies creative voices through its bimonthly podcast, Artemis Speaks. Hosted by founder and editor Jeri Rogers, the podcast features insightful conversations with artists and writers whose work graces the journal’s pages. Now in its vibrant fifth season, reaching five thousand listeners, Artemis Speaks invites listeners behind the scenes of artistic creation, offering intimate glimpses into inspiration, process, and passion—while championing the rich diversity that defines our creative community.
How can readers order or subscribe to Artemis Journal?
Readers can subscribe to Artemis Journal and purchase individual copies via our website. Print copies are also available for purchase at The BiblioPub and the Taubman Museum of Art in Roanoke, Virginia.
How can interested writers submit their work to Artemis Journal?
Every October we announce our submission guidelines for the following year’s issue of Artemis Journal.
