May 7, 8, and 9: Digital Readings

Thursday, May 7 at 7 - 8:30 p.m. (flyer)

Readers: Kelli Callis, Nicolette Wood, Rebel Betty, Amara Norman, Gemma Jimenez and Karen Torres-Olguín

Friday, May 8 at 7 - 8:30 p.m. (flyer)

Readers: Whitney Romberg, Sophia Zarders, Dustin Garcia, Julie Orlick

Saturday, May 9 at 7 - 8:30 p.m. (flyer)

Readers: Tori Holder, Brenda Chi, Pickle Witch, clsdreamworld, Karen Joyce

May 11 - 15: Digital Workshops and Discussion Panels

Tuesday, May 12 ( 7 - 7:45 p.m. )

Zines and Inclusive Queer Expression moderated by Chynna Monforte

For the queer art space to be truly representative it must be inclusive: an environment which calls in, listens, and unites. One which accepts people on spectrums of gender and sexuality, and lifts each other up. In this panel discussion we'll talk about what's it like to be a queer artist sharing pieces in an increasingly online world, and how zines are a key form of expression for our community. In this live 45-minute panel discussion, we'll talk about artivism, self care, and methods for increasing queer artist connection.

Wednesday, May 13 ( 2 - 4 p.m. )

The Unfolding: Strategies for the Production and Release of a Zine with Elie Katzenson

This workshop that discusses the multi-step process of creating and releasing a zine. I have divided this multi-step process into six phases to be covered during the workshop. We would begin by discussing how to generate zine content and identify a project's values and purpose (such as lo-fi or hi-fi presentation possibilities, narrative structure varieties, and more). The second phase in the process is creating a fully fledged physical mock-up (printing by hand versus using Adobe InDesign) before moving to the third phase which is planning for mass production- how many zines should I print and what supplies do I need? After a zine has been printed en masse, a zine launch is in store! We will discuss how to plan a zine launch and market the zine's release in conjunction with a launch event. The last part of the process involves identifying where the zine can be shared/carried and what the long-term prospects and needs of the zine are- should I run another printing? Should I approach a publisher about printing it under their imprint? Does the zine need a successor and/or alternate versions- digital or audio? This workshop could be attended by any skill level, certain segments will be more accessible than others for beginners, but the concepts we will explore are good for all DIY publishers to consider.

Wednesday, May 13 ( 7 - 8 p.m. )

Drawing Diversity with Ajuan Mance

In an increasingly diverse world, zine artists and comic creators are increasingly confronting what it means to draw characters who reflect the many different kinds of people who make up our communities. The prospect of drawing people of a racial, ethnic, religious, class, or gender identity group that is not your own can feel overwhelming or even intimidating, especially if you're drawing characters who are part of a marginalized group. As a genderqueer Black artist, I have found myself in the position of drawing people whose identities are very different from mine, and this workshop shares some of the strategies and approaches that have enabled me to create depictions that reject stereotypes and reflect the complexity of identity in the contemporary world.

Thursday, May 14 (2 - 4 p.m. )

Not Another Zine Making Assignment: Using Zines to Teach Under COVID-19 Constraints with Stacey Uy

Radical History Club is an illustrated zine that presents a decolonized perspective of US history. The latest issue covers the Chicana/o student movement of the 1960s and calls for educators to rethink the power dynamics and colonial mindset that traditional classrooms have built. Especially now with the technology access, potential stress at home, and learning styles that can vary so widely, students might be more intrigued by subversive modes of media like zines. But pushing students to make zines, especially those that don't have the materials or confidence at hand, can be more stress on top of an already stressful environment. In this workshop we’ll go over activity ideas that incorporate Radical History Club or any other educational zine you’re into, that are still accessible in this time of coronavirus.

Thursday, May 14 ( 7 - 9 p.m. )

Comics & Sketching for Daily Musings with Sophia Zarders

This interactive workshop will teach viewers the basics of making comics and guide them through stream of consciousness sketching. Daily comics and sketchbook musings have been a helpful tool for my artist friends and I during this stressful time. I’d love to share my comics expertise with the zine community and create a virtual space for participants to journal, doodle, share their ideas, and express themselves.

Please sign up here for updates. Email us at info@lazinefest.com with any inquiries. Donation button up top!