Stephanie Shade
Le Clown Mauvais
Digital image

"Grow Up" are two words that, when put together, make my spine tingle. Growing up may be the hardest thing we ever told to do. Growing Up may be the most common thing we are ever told to do. Growing Up is a mistake, a very commonly made mistake, the most commonly made mistake. Growing Up ruined Santa Claus, ruined magic. Growing Up took away my Hogwarts letter and burned my magic wand. Growing Up turned all of my baby dolls back into plastic. Growing Up washed away my memories and implanted new ones that may not even be real. Growing Up cut down all my forts and put trash in my stream. Growing Up made me hate people that I shouldn't hate. Growing Up took away my best friends ten times over. Growing Up gave them back to me, only to find out they weren't who I thought they were. Growing Up locked the Indian in the cupboard and never let him out again. Growing up stole my thoughts and imagination. Growing Up erased the rainbow and left the world entirely black and white. Growing Up gave the world money, alcohol, drugs, parties, sex, illness, death, war, fights, rape, violence, standardized tests, lines, equations and formulas, power, rules, and limits.

So when you tell me to Grow Up, my only logical response is to No. I won't Grow Up. You can try and make me. You can stretch me, you can pull me and you can Push me. But No, I will not Grow Up.

Andrea Racine
Grow Up

Krystal Brackett
Boris Karloff as Frankenstein
Screenprint on a tote

Megan LaMon
Untitled
C-Print

Nina Goffi
The Witch
Illustration

Krystal Brackett

Abraham

Etching

Anna Harty