Lone Star Zine Fest Rounds Up Local Mini-Mags

Pick almost any vibrant arts and music scene and you’ll find a burgeoning zine scene following close behind. Austin is no exception.

Lone Star Zine Fest is bringing Central Texas’ mini-mag-makers together this Sunday at Red River hangout Cheer Up Charlies. The gathering will exhibit the work of over 30 zine artists, publications, and libraries. Visitors can shop the creative wares and learn how to make a zine of their own.

Event organizer and zine archivist Jennifer Hecker said via email she loves zines because they are an easily-accessible print medium. “[Zines] are fun, cheap and easy to create, and they are cheap to buy, portable, and endlessly variable,” Hecker says. “Also, I love that zines tend to feature the voices that are missing from for-profit media.”

The Sunday afternoon event will include hourly door prize drawings. Zine-makers can share their work at a 4pm performance on Cheer Up Charlies’ serene outdoor stage.

Hecker hopes for the fest to connect interested Austinites with the zines being made in their city, as well as bring together the Central Texas zine-making community. “Though there are a number of zine libraries, and most zines are available online, there aren't a lot of places to buy zines in person here in Austin, so it's often hard to know what's out there,” Hecker says.

Five Austin Zines to Check Out at the Fest:

Barrio Writers

Barrio Writers provides free college-level creative writing workshops to teenagers in underserved communities. Students share their diverse stories in the nonprofit’s published zine anthologies.

Ben Snakepit

Ben Snakepit, real name Ben White, has been drawing a three-panel autobiographical comic strip every day of his life since January 1, 2001. He released his most recent comic book, Manor Threat, last year.

Puro Chingón Collective

Claudia Aparicio-Gamundi, James Huizar, and Claudia Zapata met while working at the Mexic-Arte Museum. The creative trio now form the Puro Chingón Collective, which creates designer toys, inclusive events, and artful zines.

Smear Mag

Started by Emily Gibson and Mary Cantrell during their time as UT students, Smear provides a millennial perspective on Austin's goings-ons. The online and print publication features work by the volunteer staff of emerging writers and artists.

Larissa Stephens

Larissa Stephens is a local illustrator and animator. Stephens has lent her playful design work to local female empowerment groups Latinitas and the Women’s Community Center of Central Texas.

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Lone Star Zine Fest
Cheer Up Charlies
Sunday, June 11, 1-6pm
Free, All Ages