The Los Angeles Press Club announced its finalists for the Southern California Journalism Awards, and Alta Journal has been named across 21 categories.

“These nominations speak to the great talents of our contributors,” says Alta editorial director Blaise Zerega. “We are grateful to the judges for recognizing our breadth of coverage and beautiful design. We’re honored to be included in this outstanding group of LAPC finalists.”

Alta received two nominations for science reporting, for Denise Hamilton’s “California Is Hog Wild,” on the scourge of feral pigs in suburban communities, and Lydia Lee’s “Olympian Dreams,” on the lore surrounding the Olympia oyster. Associate editor Ajay Orona received a nomination for technology reporting for “A Rat-Filled Casino,” his reporting on the world of NFTs.

Monica Corcoran Harel was nominated for commentary/analysis of film for “Acting Your Age,” her story on Hollywood’s interest in the middle-age meet-cute.

Alta received three nods for book criticism, by contributors John Freeman and Tom Zito and books editor David L. Ulin. Freeman and Ulin were both nominated in 2022, and Freeman received the award for his criticism on Myriam Gurba’s Mean.

Contributing editor Gustavo Arellano was nominated for local political/government reporting for “Sí Se Puede,” his profile of Ada Briceño. Arellano was also nominated for entertainment commentary on the arts for “¿Viva Hate?,” his story on why Mexicans love Morrissey.

“Tupac in the Afterlife,” Santi Elijah Holley’s appreciation of Tupac Shakur, prompted by the immersive exhibit Tupac Shakur. Wake Me When I’m Free, was nominated in the obituary category. Sam Wasson was nominated in two categories, gender and society as well as personality profile, film personalities, for “The Man That Got Away,” an appreciation of Judy Garland impersonator Jim Bailey.

Alta received nominations for personality profiles in two additional categories. “Evel Knievel, Astronaut,” by Adam Fisher, was recognized for TV personalities; “The Sisterhood of the Baton,” by Catherine Womack, for politics/business/arts personalities.

For art and photography, judges recognized Gordon Wiltsie’s photo essay accompanying “California Is Hog Wild.” Two illustrations—Victor Juhasz’s for “My Chicano Heart” and Mark Smith’s for “She Has a Name”—also received nominations. Matt Twombly was nominated for his graphic depicting the growing private space sector that accompanied the interview “They Build Rockets Here.”

Creative director John Goecke received five nominations for his work on the print magazine: one for cover art for Issue 21, one for page design of the New Space Age special section, and three for best issue. Judges recognized his work on Issue 18, Issue 20, and Issue 21. Goecke won best issue design and page design at last year’s awards.

For criticism of art/architecture/design, Marcus Crowder was nominated for “Mike Henderson’s Personal Renaissance,” an assessment of the painter’s craft and creativity; Joseph Giovannini was nominated for his essay “Take That, Guggenheim!,” about the new Orange County Museum of Art.

Faith Adiele received a nod in the category of race and society for “The Seeker,” her profile of artist Lava Thomas. Roberto Lovato’s story “The Gentrification of Consciousness,” which reflects on the appropriation of psychedelic drugs, was nominated for commentary.

Alta received two nominations for feature music/arts, over 1,000 words, for Justin Chapman’s “Welcome to Slowjamastan” and Adam Fisher’s “Evel Knievel, Astronaut.”

Last year, Alta took home seven awards, and the Los Angeles Press Club honored 20 contributors for their work in the magazine. This year, the Los Angeles Press Club will announce the winners on June 25.•