Letter From The Editor

According to mythology, shortly after his birth, the Greek god Apollo set out to slay the great beast Python. This monster had tormented his mother during labor, chasing her across Greece to the shores of the Mediterranean. Apollo, determined to avenge his mother, tracked the serpent to its lair. After a titanic struggle between the forces of light and darkness, the dread serpent Python lay dead at Apollo’s feet. This earned him the name Pytheus, meaning “The Slayer.” Apollo then claimed the area where Python had laired, for it was a place of great power, a place where prophecy could be heard. This place is known as Delphi. 

For centuries, the citizens of Delphi held a festival every four years to celebrate Apollo’s heroic feat—the Pythian Games. Brave young men from all across Greece competed in the hopes of fame and glory. However, these games drew fewer spectators compared to the number of pilgrims who made the arduous journey to hear a prophecy from the Oracle of Delphi. If the oracle was the mouthpiece of prophecy, then the language of Delphi itself was the very voice of prophecy. This language (or dialect, to be precise) is known as Delphian.

So how does this apply to an art magazine? Just as Apollo’s victory over Python brought clarity and prophecy, so too does art have the power to speak truths about the present, past, and future. We believe that when an artist creates a piece of heartfelt art, it is a reflection of their journey, both their past and present and offers a glimpse into the future. In homage to the Greek god of beauty, art, honor, and service to you, dear reader, the Delphian Magazine was born.

Every incarcerated individual is engaged in a wrestling match with their own personal “Python.” Whether it’s drug addiction, anger, depression, or any other inner demon, they battle it every single day. There is no respite, no reprieve from this constant struggle. But much like Apollo’s triumph over the serpent, these artists refuse to be defeated by their inner beasts. Instead, they channel their pain, their struggles, and their hopes into their artwork, creating something powerful and beautiful despite the odds.

The Delphian Magazine is the culmination of a dream, years of planning, setbacks, and countless hours of work. The foremost reason that pushed this project forward is love. Love for art. Most people are unaware of just how creative our brothers and sisters behind the walls are. I am constantly amazed by their ingenuity. With limited access to supplies, like toothpowder, soap, floor wax, and instant coffee, they create stunning works of art. Despite not being able to order supplies online or wait for them to arrive at their doorsteps, these artists pour their hearts into their creations. They refuse to let confinement and scarcity stop them from expressing themselves. During my own incarceration, I witnessed time and again the healing and transformative power of art. Even the most hardened among us carry an instinctual drive for beauty, a need to create, to express, and to be seen not just for our pasts, but for our potential.

And so, my brothers and sisters in blue, I give to you Your magazine, Your voice. Welcome to the Delphian!