by jenna mcmurtry
My little Watson
an art of storytelling: fostering connections
with community histories
Hi, there!
My name is Jenna.. I’m originally from Colorado but this past summer, I made a home out of both Los Angeles & Jackson, WY.
I’m still trying to wrap my head around how I managed to live in one of the most populated parts of the U.S. to the least — all in one summer! Somehow I pulled it off and I;m forever grateful for the memories & friends (old & new) along the way Summer ‘24 was truly one for the books. — or for the zines!
Jenna.
::) history major
outdoors person artist sister journalist friend she/they urban granola girl
A little about me...
I study the past, and not just because I like old-timey things (radio & film photography, where you at?) For me, studying History helps shed light on why our present. looks and operates the way it does.. If anything, I think my major is more about understanding the now. I engage in a multitude of storytelling methods because I care a lot about how we make meaning of our worlds and preserve that meaning making process for generations to come.
the bullet points
Born & raised in Colorado
History major at Pomona College
Joined my college newspaper because of a silly tarot card reading with my first year hallway mates. Since then, I’ve been on NPR three times, ran my college newspaper and have worked in three different public radio newsrooms Pursuing journalism post-grad!
Los Angeles
summer 2024 eagle rock, dtla, ucla into the archives/thesis research
radio girl summer @ 89.1 fm khol
Jackson, Wyoming
I took a full-time journalism job for last summer beginning in July at Jackson Hole Community Radio, otherwise known at KHOL. My beat covered local town/county politics, school boards and the environment
I am...
a sister to two of my best friends
an occasional cat mom to Cat Stevens & Artemis.
a reader of creative nonfiction
a maker of prints
a fan of Shakespeare in the Park, & zine fairs & porchfest
a lover of art nights & poetry readings with friends, old & new a tutor to eager high schoolers a friend to many
self portrait at LACMA screenprint fall
And so much more... .
At Pomona, I fell for the medium of printmaking...
Multimedia screenprint & risograph with archival images.
A notebook I made for my studio printmaking class final. The collage of archival campus photos are intended to evoke reflection: how much do you know about the place we have called home for four years?
I fell hard...
Screenprint. Fall 2023. Pomona College Printmaking Class
Community Art Spaces... excite me!
One of my favorite things...
is being completely brand new at something. I love the humility of not knowing a skill and leaning on friends who can teach me their ways. Right now that looks like laughing my way through being hilariously bad at many things at once but loving every step of the way regardless (i.e. learning a new instrument (guitar!) and picking up & honing a new craft (crocheting & film photography!).!)
Thank you Pomona College Music department for the guitar loan & new skills!
Some of my fav storytelling projects...
Queer Histories, Queer Futures
5C Black
Legacies
Why the Zine?
Pronounced [ZEEN]// Zines are one of my favorite artistic mediums for a couple reasons. As a widely accessible craft, zinemaking has long had ties to social movements with its roots as a platform for marginalized voices. Being cheap and relatively easy to make ensures that pretty much anyone can make a Zine! The community spaces where zine-making and collaging clubs take place are steadyily growing in popularity and offer much needed third spaces and places to gather and connect.
Thank you for considering my Watson application! <3