North Country Zine Fest
Saturday, October 12, Noon-5pm
Strand Center Gallery
We’re so excited to host the first ever North Country Zine Fest this fall on October 12th from Noon-5pm. This event is co-produced by local zinesters Erin Dorney & our very own Megan Charland. This is an event not to be missed!
What’s a zine?!
So, WHAT exactly is a zine? A zine could really be ANYTHING.
A zine (pronounced “zeen”) is a self-published print-work that is typically produced in small, limited batches. (Think magazines.) Zines are created and bound in many DIY ways, but traditionally editions are easily reproduced—often by crafting an original “master,” and then photocopying, folding, and stapling the pages into simple pamphlets. Zines may also be sewn, taped, glued—or even exist in unbound and other non-folio formats. The main rule is that there are NO RULES!
“Zinesters” (people who create zines) are likely to be more motivated by self-expression and artistic passion than they are by profit: zines are usually inexpensive and sometimes distributed for free or in trade for other zines. The history of zines is super fascinating!
Zines can touch on a variety of topics from music and art, to politics, to self-portraits, and MORE! Their content may be written, drawn, collaged, or any other form of combining words and imagery. A zine really could be ANYTHING.
Meet the Zinesters
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Canto Cutie
Canto Cutie is a juried art and literature zine that publishes the work of Cantonese artists and writers. It is a publication for the diaspora, about the diaspora, founded in 2019 by Katherine Leung.
The Cantonese diaspora has roots in Hong Kong, Southern China, and other Southeastern Asian countries. There are large Cantonese communities in the US, Canada, UK, and Australia. Cantonese speakers were often part of the first wave of immigrants to construct the historic Chinatowns present in large cities today.
Cantonese is a variety of Chinese with over 82 million native speakers with a culture very different from Mandarin speakers. Due to civil unrest, self-identifying and linguistic pride is more important than ever. This zine attempts to reflect the diversity of identity and experiences across the diaspora. -
Wave the Banner Zines
Wave the banner is a zinc collective meant to inspire change or motivate wanderlust. They are all artist, originals and limited edition.
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Combos Press
I will be bringing my zine called Queer Earth Food, an anthology of writing and art on the topics of agriculture, food, and queerness. I have 2 issues out so far and the third will be out in August. I will also have a Sew Your Own Pride Flag zine, a photozine, and an upcoming chapbook memoir on queer food.
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Caleb_illustrations
(Art zines) Sketches of Forklifts (1-5) Sketches of Trucks (1-3) Sketches of Crabs (Nature zines) Whale fall, Abyssal Zone, Microplastics and the Great Pacific Garbage Patch (also Beans)
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NIA MEANS PURPOSE.
NIA MEANS PURPOSE. is born out of an intention to share art, information, stories and ideas across categories while showing the thread that I see connecting them all. My practice is in sharing the gems and resources I've found along the course of my trajectory and compiling them in a creatively uplifting way. .
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Jill Florence Brooks
I'm an artist, illustrator, and storyteller based in Vermont. I use art to express my love of nature, food, and community. I'm especially interested in using illustration as a tool to examine relationships with place and people. I love making zines and am inspired by art that communicates ideas!
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Boreal Zine
Our zine is produced seasonally, sometimes sporadically, and its themes often center on the time of year and things in the natural world. It includes poetry, photography, essays, cartoons, paintings, etc. It is a comp-zine containing works by people local to the Adirondacks, as well as artists from other places at times.
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Juan Madrid
Photographer and book + zine artist based in Western Massachusetts and the Hudson Valley of NY.
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Publishing Genius
Bigger. Faster. Reader.
Publishing Genius (b. 2006) was founded in Baltimore and now works in the Adirondack Mountains of northern New York. We just want to sell hard-to-describe poetry and short stories and that sort of thing. Did you read EASTER RABBIT yet?
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Grim Reality Comic Zines
I mainly do a mini comic zine called Grim Reality about my husband and dog- One glass-half-full and one who-the-hell-left-a-glass-here person living mostly happily ever after together. I've done over 150 of them. Titles include Car Games, Chip This, Leave a Message, She Said What? and Press 2 for Irritation. I also make perzines and poetry and art zines.
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BohemiAfrique
I am a photographer with eight photography zines each with different themes. Titles include "Elements" (my Hip-Hop photography), "Stage Show" (Dancehall and Reggae concert photos), "Captured on 35mm" (my film photography), "Nightseen: Kingston" (documentation of the night life in Kingston, Jamaica), "Unapologetic" (showcasing Black women with natural hairstyles), and "Transmitting Live From Webster Hall" (documentation of a De La Soul event).
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Power Vacuum Projects
I make a biannually released zine called Pig’s Digest, I currently have 4 issues out and a new one should be done by the time north country zine fest rolls around. It is an art and design based zine, all created by me. Collections of my drawings, photography, poetry, collage, graphic design, album reviews and more all rolled into one little zine.
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Jenny Curtis
The Daily Profit - local newspaper
Daddies- a zine of daddy collages -
Jennifer Giambruno Gordon
"Book Guide: Unique Books for Your Unique Mood"
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Peroxide Crystal Distro
PEROXIDE CRYSTAL VOL. 1
Documentation of Graffiti in New England and Along the East Coast
Other Zines created by friends and other makers (mostly focused on graffiti, art and esoteric cultural stuff)
FAQs
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There will be a bunch of tables set up around the gallery at The Strand. Behind each table will be a zinester/vendor showcasing their zines and other items available for sale. You can chat with them, look at their zines, and buy what you are post interested in! It’s a really fun environment filled with cool, creative folks from all different backgrounds. Some zines may look really polished and fancy and others may be homemade and DIY and that’s the beauty of zine fest!
The fest itself will run from 12PM - 5PM. From 3-5PM there will be an interactive option for attendees who want to make their own zine, using materials supplied by The Strand.
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Established in 1892 by the State of New York amid concerns for the water and timber resources of the region, the Adirondack Park covers an area larger in size than Yosemite, Yellowstone, Glacier, Grand Canyon, and the Great Smokies National Parks combined. The Park encompasses millions of acres of public, constitutionally protected forest preserve, as well as privately owned land.
While Plattsburgh is not located within the ADK Park boundaries, it is nearby, and zine fest attendees should definitely plan to spend some time in the beautiful nature surrounding our region! There are opportunities to camp, hike, swim, paddle, birdwatch, and more.
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Water bottle - The Strand has refill stations & we want you to stay hydrated!
Cash - Some vendors may only accept cash, so it’s good to have some on hand. Other payment options may be available, but they depend on each vendor and what they’re set up to accept.
Your own zines - Some vendors may be interested in trading a copy of their zine for a copy of yours.
Curiosity - Each zine fest brings together a different group of people. You might encounter zines that make you think or smile (we certainly hope so!) or even challenge you in some way. Zine fests are a great place to make new friends and learn about new topics - we encourage you to keep an open mind & embrace your creativity!
Questions? Contact Us!
Event organizers Erin Dorney (left) and Megan Charland (right) tabling at the Ithaca Book & Zine Fair at Buffalo Street Books produced by Illuminated Press in 2022.
Call for Zinesters!
Do you create zines? Join us in Plattsburgh, New York to bring your work to a new audience! Attendees will be coming from all over the northeast including: NY, VT, PA, and Canada!
Readers here in the North Country are eager to experience perspectives from outside our rural environment! Diverse voices are welcome!
We look forward to having you joining us! If you have any questions, please reach out to us: zinefest@strandcenter.org
Event Details for Vendors
Day of timeframe: Saturday, October 12
9-11am: setup
11am-Noon: vendor hour (breakfast coffee, snacks etc)
Noon-5pm: vendor fair
3-5pm: zine workshop/drop in
Table Fees & Details
Full table - 6ft: $45
Half table - 3ft (share with another vendor - you can say who you want to share with if you know and if not, we will pair you randomly): $25
Vendors are encouraged to bring their own tables. We do have a limited number, please note in your application if you need to borrow one.
No wall space. Gallery walls will have an exhibition on display - more details soon!
Vendor Application Timeline
March 1: vendor applications open
July 1: vendor applications due Application portal is still open until filled!
July 15: notifications go out to vendors Rolling notifications!
August 1: payment due
October 12 - EVENT!!