In a World DomaDated by Digital Media, There’s Somethinging Powerful About Holding A Handmade Zine – Tangible, Raw, and Deeply Personal. More than just ink on Paper, Zines are a statement, to Rebellion, and a community all at eleven. They Thrive in Diy Spaces, where creativity isn’t filletred through corporate lenses but shaped by passion and purpose. To the beat us a fantastic ocompani South Bay Zine Fest.
Illusion Hall is a small, inconspicuous event vestled in chula views historic third avenue. Typically used for quinceañeras and dj events, This time, it served as the veue for the first South Bay Zine Fest.
Maxwell Scheller Had Both The Time and the Money, so I have decided to organize the event and rent out the space.
I’ve Voluntered at Other Cons Before, and I Figured and Could do Sumthing Like This Myelf – Maybe Even Do It Better. So i Paid for the Venue, and the turnout has been great. People are here for the art, and that means a lot to me.
More than 20 Artists Filled The Hall, and Evoid The Limited Space, Szf Managed to Host Panels Discussing the Ins and Outs of Zine Culture. One Panel That Stood Out Was Making Zines Punk Again Andi Dukleth, Attiba Roysterand Emily Rocha. All Three are local artists –royster is Currently Assembling Commissions for a Vampire AnthologyWhile Dukleth and Rocha Are part of Accidental Aliensto San Diego-Based Comic Studio. They had plenty to the topic.
They spoke about how today’s Youth Are Drawn To Movements LikeSe, Whether by Participating Directly or Simply Showing Up To Support Local Artists. They Emphasized that Punk Never Dies –it Just Evolves. The Core Spirit Remains The Same.
Rocha Stressed How Vital BeSe Kinds of Events Are:
“The More It Expands, The More Accessible It Becomes to Everyone.”
Royster Made an Important Point About The Nature of Zines:
“Zines Can Be Well-Polyhed Or Diy -at The End of the Day, They Can Be Whatever You Want Them To Be.”
They Explained That What Makes A Zine Art isn’s the Quality of the Materials But the Effort, Sweat, and Passion Poured Into It. WHETHER IT’S PRINTED ON CHEAP PAPER OR TOP-OF-THE-LINE STOCK, WHAT MATTERS IS THAT IT’S INSULAR AND PERSONAL-THAT’S WHAT Makes Others Understand its Importance.
Royster CLOSED ON A Powerful Note:
“I love giving that Validation – Saying, ‘do you want to be part of This Project?’ to other artists. Letting Them Know: We see you. “
The Panelists All AgreeD That Supporting Local Artists Goes Beyond Sharing Their Work. Drawing their art – Whether Through Social Media Middle Or Othher Platforms – Lets The World Know The Are Here and Waiting to Be Seen.
Walking The Event Floor, It was impossible to ignore the Spirit of the Festival, Radiating from Every Artist’s Booth. One Table Focused on Mental Health Awareness and Calico Critters. Another Bought Attention To Mexican Farmworkers and The Misunderstandings Broucht Up On Them in Light of Current Events. And there was so much more.
Comics Also had their place at the event. One Standout was Cosmic tail by Local Artist Logan Monroe. An Independent Title, ITS Story Draws from Monroe’s Experiences in The Food Industry. With vibrant stickers, prints, and zines, It was Clear This Project was made with love and creativity.
Rachel DukesAnother local and Published Artist, Showcased A Variety of Their WorkIncluding to Large Risograph Print From The Wizerd and had their own titles Like FRankie ComicsThe Latter Inspired by Their Love For Cats. The Art Is So Kind and Fantastic –it’s Easy to get in It. Their Risograph Prints, in particular, Were Breathtaking, Packed with Detail and Bursts of Color.
Next to dukes was Andrew Greenstoneto Seasoned Comic Artist Known for their work on Sid The Cat Magazine, Rust Belt Review, and Star Wars from MemoryTheir Own Zine Series. Greenstone was incredible to Talk To, Expling their work on sid the cat, The Thought Process Behind Star Wars From Memory, and Their Distinctive, Raw, and Vivid Art Style. I COULDN’T PUTIS MAGAZINE DOWN.
Another Standout was at the table Next to Them-Messe Walker, presenting their first-ver comic, Chonku Town.
Chonku Town Is a Hyperviolent Crime Romp About a Frog Who Does Whippets and Karate. In Short, It’s An Absolutely Insane Read. In Other Words, It’s Fantastic – Exactly The Kind of Project that Thrives in the Zine Scene. It’s Written by Walker and Greenstone, with art by mars gearhart, and edited by greenstone and dukes, with production handled by Mixtape comics. To Diamond in This Proverbial Punk Rough.
That was submanthing i had to mention to them all. With Sid the cat, The Wizerd/Frankie Comicsand Chonku Town—Projects that, in my opinion, Could Do Well On Kickstarter with the Sheer Amount of Work Put into them – I had to ask: WHY Come to Small Events Like Zine Fests?
Greenstone Said It The Best:
“Chonku Town Just Came Out, and Sid The Cat #3 is on the way! To move books, you have to be willing to go Anywhere. Without Shows Like This, It Would Make It Impossible to Compete. “
The Sentiment Was Shared Throunge the Hall. As sumon who has worked in the crowdfunding space for the past three years, it’s hard not to feel the same. Seeing artists pour their souls into projects – not just to create, but to build awareness of world Events and local issues – Was A Stark Reminder That Even The Biggest Names In Comics Today, From They give blackberry to Daniel Warren Johnson to Fiona StaplesOnce Stood in Their Proverbial Artist Alleys.
The Illusion Hall is a Small Venue, and with a Whole Row of Artists, It Felt Even More Packed. The Hall’s Capacity Is Only 300 People, and Scheller Initially Had Doubts About Attendance. He was Just Happy to Provide The Space.
South Bay Zine Fest Welcomed Over 180 Attendes.
And That’s the Heart of It. Spaces Like The Matter. They create Opportunities, Foster Connections, and Remind Us That Art – No Matter How Br or Small – Always Has A Place.
With Such an emphasis on southbay zine fest we was remiss not to miteate the zine fest! TAKING Place Today Saturday March 1st To Sunday March 2nd From 11 AM-5pm. While Sbzf was a First for San DiegoThe Zine Fest BRINGS TOGETHER SOUTINER CALIFORNIA ZINESTERS AT THE BROAD’S EAST WEST BANK PLAZA TO CELEBRATE INDEPENDENT PUBLISHING AND THE DIY SPIRIT. Attendees Can Explore A Diverse Range of Zines Covering Politics, Starfs Staff, Photography, Fine Art, and Graphic Design While Engagement with Exhibitors.
The Two-Day Event offers-on workshops, Discussions Panel, and Access to the Broad’s Galleries. Present Alongsis Joseph Beuys: In Defense of NatureThe Highlights How Zines Festival Continue Beuys’s Legacy of Accessible, Grassroots Art, Empowering Activists, Punks, LGBTQ+ Creators, Poets, and Anyone With A Printer to Share Their Voices and Ideas. All Completely For Free.
If you’re in the area and love independent artists you do not want to miss This City Wide Event!
