Tag: Workshops

Since its founding in the late 1980s, GAJOOB has always been about amplifying independent voices—especially those creating music, zines, and other DIY expressions. In recent years, GAJOOB has brought this ethos directly to the community through hands-on zine workshops, offering creators of all backgrounds the tools and support to tell their stories through self-published, tactile media.

A Celebration of Cut, Paste, and Personal Expression

GAJOOB’s zine workshops are part craft session, part storytelling lab. Participants are encouraged to explore themes from their lives, music, art, dreams, or even the absurdities of everyday existence. Whether it’s a personal diary disguised as a collage, a band tour journal, or a surreal mini-comic, the workshops are a space to bring those fragments into form.

Each workshop typically includes:

• A brief history of zines and cassette culture—highlighting their role in underground movements and DIY media.
• Examples from the GAJOOB archive, including rare issues from the 1990s, artist-submitted zines, and handbound micro-press creations.
• Materials for creation: scissors, glue, vintage magazines, typewritten scraps, markers, rubber stamps, photocopied imagery, and more.
• Guidance in layout, pagination, and duplication techniques, from folding and stapling to digital scanning for web or print runs.

Virtual and In-Person Formats

Recognizing the wide reach of the zine and cassette community, GAJOOB has hosted both in-person gatherings—at local arts centers, record shops, and community spaces—and virtual workshops via Zoom. The online format introduces collaborative prompts, live demonstrations, and downloadable templates so creators can assemble zines at home.

Participants often scan and send their final zines back to GAJOOB, where they may be added to the archive, featured in the blog, or mailed in exchange for others via a rotating “zine swap” circle.

Youth and Senior Engagement

In an effort to bridge generations, GAJOOB’s workshops have also expanded into schools and senior centers. Young creators get a taste of analog artmaking and personal storytelling, while seniors are invited to explore memory, poetry, and legacy through zine pages that can be shared with families and the wider community.

One special project pairs seniors’ handwritten stories with music created in response by GAJOOB’s Blind Mime Ensemble—transforming simple pages into multimedia tributes.

Building a Living Archive

The end goal of every workshop is not just creation, but preservation. Every zine made in a GAJOOB workshop is invited to live on in the GAJOOB Archive—digitized, cataloged, and made freely available alongside music, essays, and art from across decades of underground culture.

As GAJOOB’s founder Bryan Baker puts it, “These workshops aren’t just about making zines. They’re about giving form to voices that often go unheard, and then making sure those voices are part of something that lasts.”

For upcoming sessions or to host a GAJOOB zine workshop in your space, visit gajoob.org/zineworkshops (coming soon).

If you’re looking for a unique and creative family activity, the upcoming workshop at the Manly Art Gallery & Museum is a must-attend event. Titled “Zines & Patches,” this workshop will be led by the talented multimedia artist Katy B Plummer, who is known for her vibrant explorations of storytelling and textile practices.

Event Details:

• Location: Manly Art Gallery & Museum, 1A West Esplanade, Manly, NSW 2095
• Date and Time: Check the Northern Beaches Council website for the specific schedule.
• Duration: 2 hours
• Contact: Customer service at 1300 434 434
• Suitable For: All ages (children under 12 must be accompanied by a participating adult)

About the Workshop

This 2-hour interactive workshop invites families across generations to engage in art-making together. Participants will have the chance to create their own zines and iron-on patches, weaving in personal family stories or honoring intriguing characters from their family histories.

Katy B Plummer will guide participants through her multimedia art installation titled “We Believe You Babcia”, which delves into themes of ghosts and family storytelling. This immersive experience will not only introduce attendees to Plummer’s theatrical world but also inspire their own creative projects.

What to Expect:

• Art Installation Tour: Begin with an exploration of Katy B Plummer’s installation, which sets the stage with its ghostly tales and familial narratives.
• Hands-On Creation: Under Plummer’s expert guidance, create your own zines and patches. All materials required for the projects will be provided.
• Family Collaboration: This is an excellent opportunity for families to collaborate creatively, sharing stories and bonding over a shared art project.

Why Attend?

• Creative Expression: A perfect outlet for artistic expression and creativity.
• Family Bonding: Foster connections by engaging in a collaborative activity that spans generations.
• Unique Experience: Gain insights into multimedia art and storytelling from a renowned artist.

Don’t miss this chance to delve into the world of multimedia art while creating lasting memories with your family. For more details and to register, visit the Northern Beaches Council website.

At DiscoverZines.com, we believe that creativity has no age limit. That’s why we’re excited to introduce our Zine Workshops for seniors – a wonderful opportunity for older adults to engage in a creative, expressive activity that stimulates the mind and fosters social connections.

What are Zine Workshops for Seniors?

Our Zine Workshops for seniors are specially tailored sessions where seniors come together to create their own zines. These workshops offer a fun, engaging, and accessible way for seniors to explore their creativity, share their stories, and connect with others in a meaningful way¹².

Why Zines for Seniors?

Zines offer a unique medium for seniors to express themselves and share their experiences. They can serve as a form of personal narrative, a chance to document personal histories or just a fun, creative project³⁴.

Benefits of Zine Workshops for Seniors

Participating in our Zine Workshops can have numerous benefits for seniors. It promotes cognitive stimulation, encourages creative expression, and provides an opportunity for social interaction. Moreover, it allows seniors to leave a tangible legacy in the form of their creations⁵.

Join Our Zine Workshops for Seniors

Whether you’re a senior looking to try something new, or you know a senior who might be interested, we invite you to join us at our Zine Workshops for seniors. Let’s create, connect, and tell our stories together⁶.

Join us at DiscoverZines.com for a Zine Workshop where creativity knows no age. Sign up today and discover the joy of zine-making!

Footnotes

1. YouTube ↩
2. kingstonarts.org ↩
3. moore.edu ↩
4. pentictonartscouncil.com ↩
5. epfccollective.org ↩
6. moahcedar.org ↩