Let's Talk Zines! 🗺️
Resources for making them & why you should start
by newsletter writer Kaylin Hechtle
Hello future (and current!) zine makers!
You don’t always need to wait on acceptances to get your work into the hands of your friends and your community. Thus, the beauty of the zine! Making a zine and giving it out doesn’t require anyone's permission, and you don’t have to worry about stupid stuff like algorithms and shadow-banning. Were they worried about Meta's Community Guidelines when they started circulating the first science fiction zines in the 1930s? I’m thinking… probably not! Can you imagine a bliss like that?
While zine creators of the past didn’t have to worry about digital censorship, the same sentiments still apply. Zines are a cheap way to spread your ideas to your friends and community without needing a sign off from any person or organization. There’s a lot of power in that!
Before they were even labeled as “zines” and were known more as self-published pamphlets, they were an organ for lots of pivotal movements because of their scrappy, do-it-yourself nature. They were instrumental to scenes like women’s suffrage, slavery abolition, the East L.A. Student Walkouts (protesting LA educational conditions for Chicanos), and the riot grrrl punk movement.
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Carolina Arts Events in January
North Carolina
Durham, NC | January 1 | Free
Pull up to the Durham Armory for a full day of dancing, music, kids activities, face paint, drum circles, food trucks, vendors & more!
Under the Silver Moon Lantern Parade
Cary, NC | January 10 | Free
Enjoy a parade of unique, handmade paper lanterns throughout Downtown Cary Park.
North Carolina Chinese Lantern Festival
Cary, NC | Ends January 11 | $16-$30
Immerse yourself in a world of wonder with thousands of all NEW handcrafted, illuminated lanterns showcasing various themes. This walk-through experience also features captivating cultural performances, a variety of concessions, and interactive elements.
IMPACT Series II: Music by Black Composers
Raleigh, NC | January 15 | Free; suggested donation
NCCMI Faculty Artists and Guest Musicians perform music by Black Composers in Honor of MLK, Jr. Day. Curated by Dr. Timothy Holley, NCCMI Faculty and student musicians will perform.
Black Author Exhibit and Creative Contest Presentation
Apex, NC | January 16 | Free
Join community members to meet and hear from Black Authors in an open exhibit at the Apex Senior Center! K-12 Creative Contest Winners will also present their contest submissions for attendees.
Durham, NC | January 17 | $3
Guided by local artist Adam Cooley, you’ll learn essential mark-making techniques like hatching, shading, and using negative space to bring contrast and drama to your designs.
Free Ukulele Lessons at KōMANA Brewing Company
Cary, NC | January 4, 18 | Free
Learn to play the ukulele, no experience needed! They'll teach you the basics to get you playing in no time.
Blowing Rock, NC | January 22-25 | Some events free
Whether you’re taking the daring Polar Bear Plunge, admiring the breathtaking ice sculptures, indulging in local delicacies, or enjoying the range of family entertainment, WinterFest in Blowing Rock promises to be an enchanting experience.
Durham, NC | Every Saturday | Free parking
The Durham Craft Market is proud to provide a marketplace for local handmade arts and crafts that encourages creativity and design innovation and honors the art of craftsmanship. Meet your local artists and find out how they make their craft.
Asheville, NC | All January | Admission included in Arboretum parking fee
These seven to nine feet tall friendly and fanciful sculptures evoke a sense of wonder and intrigue as they study our small, intricate and inventive ways of life in Western North Carolina.
South Carolina
Heroes & Villains: The Art of the Disney Costume
Columbia, SC | Ends January 4 | ~$33
The critically acclaimed showcase features 70 costumes from beloved characters such as Cinderella, Maleficent, and more, highlighting the innovative ways iconic characters are brought to life through the artistry and imagination of their costumes.
Always Flourishing and CeramicSea at Hyman Fine Arts Center
Florence, SC | New Exhibit Begins January 6 | Free
New exhibits in the Hyman Fine Arts Center explore the relationship between images, objects, and memory from lens-based artist Rebekah Alviani. Hayley De González's ceramics explore forms, textures, and palettes found in the ocean and along the shoreline. Fish scales, shells, tidal patterns, sandy textures, and muted hues inform the surfaces of these pieces.
South Carolina | January 8-18 | Price Varies
From fine to casual dining, participating restaurants will feature new menu items, offer fan favorites, and multi-course menus during Restaurant Week South Carolina!
Unforgettable: The Civil Rights Photography of Cecil Williams
Florence, SC | January 11 | Free
Join Florence County Museum for a free, docent-led tour of Unforgettable: The Civil Rights Photography of Cecil Williams in the museum’s Special Exhibit Gallery.
Snow Queen presented by Grand Kyiv Ballet
Charleston, SC | January 11 | $43-$143 seating options
Join the Grand Kyiv Ballet for the WORLD Premiere of the new Ballet, The Snow Queen.
Figure Drawing at 906 Art Gallery
Greenville, SC | January 13 | $12
Draw from a live nude model for a 2-hour session at 906 Art Gallery. All skill levels are welcome to attend! 18 and up only.
Art After Hours – Tree Ring Prints
Florence, SC | January 15 | $10
Join Curator of Education Uschi Jeffcoat & artist Adrian Smith for this session that takes a closer look at tree rings and how to use them to create art. You will learn how to produce your own tree ring prints and take a print home with you.
Columbia, SC | January 10, 15, 17, 18, 22, 25 | Free with membership or admission
Join the Columbia Museum of Art for vibrant tours of Keith Haring: Radiant Vision, featuring original works from iconic Pop artist Keith Haring, a shooting star of the 1980s New York art scene.