History
The name cream city review pays tribute to the publication’s home in Milwaukee. Known as “The Cream City,” Milwaukee is the birthplace of the yellow-colored brick, made exclusively from clay native to the area. The first “cream” brick was made in 1835. The bricks proved more durable and aesthetically pleasing than the traditional red bricks produced by East Coast kilns and quickly became Milwaukee’s most characteristic building material. Popular throughout the 19th century, Cream City bricks were used widely for ornamental architecture throughout the United States and Europe.
Contents
cream city review was started in 1975 by Mary Zane Allen. After working at The Wisconsin Review, she desired a similar literary journal for the creative writing department at University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee. Allen worked with the student union to establish both the magazine and a reading series. Later, the magazine began operating with the support of UWM’s English Department.
Over the years, cream city review has evolved from an 8″ X 11″, 50 page, Xeroxed zine to the 175-225 page perfect-bound book format that it is today. The shift to glossy, multicolored covers began in the fall of 1989, after Laurie Buman became art editor. These covers have become one of the magazine’s trademarks.
At a time when many literary magazines have been forced to fold for lack of funds, cream city review has thrived. This is thanks in large part to grants from the Bradley Foundation and the Wisconsin Arts Board, also with support from the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee (specifically, the English Department) and the Letters and Science Constituent Alumni Association. Additionally, cream city review is immensely grateful for its succession of dedicated volunteers and a loyal following of readers and subscribers.