The First-Ever Reed Zine Fest Was a Page-Turner

“It’s a part of Portland zine culture at this moment to create accessible spaces. That’s really important in terms of the ethics of zines right now.”

The Reed Zine Library, directed by Ann Matsushima Chiu and Chloe Van Stralendorff, is one of the most vibrant parts of campus, with a collection covering topics like the occupation of Alcatraz by Native American activists and the history of kaiju.

On March 30, Ann and Chloe amplified Reed’s zine community, welcoming an estimated 850 Reedies and guests to the inaugural Reed Zine Fest, which was so successful that a second event is already in the works. Around 90 zinemakers filled Kaul Auditorium, presenting titles like Anhecomics: Comics About Feeling Blue and I’m Having Top Surgery: An Illustrated Guide For You and Me, followed by a punk show in the library.

Among the highlights of Zine Fest was keynote speaker James Spooner, the graphic novelist and filmmaker behind the documentary Afro-Punk. “We wanted to showcase to students that James started off making zines and doing a lot of mutual aid and living in punk houses,” Ann says. “And now, fast forward, he’s traveling around, going to all these zine fests, and becoming this role model.”

Committed to making Zine Fest as inclusive as possible, organizers required attendees to wear masks to protect immunocompromised guests. “Some people said, ‘I haven’t been able to attend a zine event for many years because not all of these events are masked,’” Ann says. “It’s a part of Portland zine culture at this moment to create accessible spaces. That’s really important in terms of the ethics of zines right now.”