The dreamy artwork that is the cover of the 2012-2103 Mercer Island High School’s annual literary magazine is a view from an imaginary gondola on a lazy afternoon in Venice.

The bottle-green water reflects the golden hues of late afternoon onto the ancient stone walls of the floating city. It is a place of peace.

The cover, by Islander student Jacqueline Ong, is a million miles away from the cares of the present day; the classroom, the homework, and the complex pressures of high school.

Ong’s work illustrates the depth of imagination and skill of Islander artists along with student editors and staff who produced the book.

Student editors select works submitted by fellow students during the year that include essays, drawings, paintings and photographs.

Copies can be found at Island Books.