On April 22, the Central Branch of the Milwaukee Public Library will be filled with artists, makers and enthusiasts all celebrating one unique artform: zines. These independently published, small-circulation works typically take the form of print pamphlets that include anything ranging from poetry to journalism to photo collages.
Nominations are open for the 2024 Unity Awards!
Know an individual or group committed to bridging divides in our community? Nominate them for a Unity Award by Oct. 31.
Zine Fest is celebrating its 15th anniversary, and its fifth year in its current form, which is hosted by MPL and The Bindery, a Bay View printmaking and binding shop. The festival started at UW-Milwaukee in 2008 and has grown in both size and diversity over the years.
“It’s an important thing to celebrate,” says Zachary Lifton, owner of The Bindery. “If you have a few dollars, you can make a zine, and if you have a few dollars, you can buy a zine, and that creates a really wonderful open exchange of information and artistry in our community.”
The day will include free workshops in printmaking, zine-making and the history and social impact of zines. There will be around 70 vendors from Milwaukee and beyond – all chosen lottery-style.
“Zine Fest is a wonderful chance to see a huge spectrum of diversity in different ways,” Lifton says. “And not only just in terms of the attendees themselves, but also to see art and poetry and people’s ideas and stories from literally all over the country.”
Details and more information are available at binderymke.com.
