Book Arts

See you tonight Gutter Pop Comics for the ZineFest pre-party!!!!!!

A fun tradition ZineFest buds have done throughout the years at different off-site locations!

ZineFest 2026 Vendor Spotlight: Michael DeLaPlante

WHO ARE YOU?
Michael DeLaPlante is a youth poet, activist, and zinester committed to fighting for what’s right. He’s the founder and editor-in-chief of Writers For A Cause Literary Magazine dedicated to showcasing creative writing for social justice. He makes mini zines in his free time which he will be selling at Zinefest.

WHAT WILL YOU HAVE AT ZINEFEST?
These 3 zines are making up my “Power of Flowers” trilogy that I’m selling at Zinefest!. They’re all zines that use flora as representations of activism.

WHY ZINES?
Zines are important for teens because it’s the perfect medium for literally anything. It’s very accessible, easy, and there’s no pressure or expectations with making them. Zines have no limits as an art form and that’s gotten me obsessed with them. I use them a lot for activism and putting my voice and others into the world which is something that’s so important for teens to do!

You can also find Michael’s work in our Teen Zine Exhibition in the Book Arts gallery which will be on view through Sep 4th!

ZineFest 2026 Vendor Spotlight: Julie Setele

WHO ARE YOU?
Julie (they/them) is a librarian and sociologist who makes zines and linocut art about trying to survive as a q***r person in a fascist climate apocalypse while living and working on Haudenosaunee land.

WHAT WILL YOU HAVE AT ZINEFEST?
Zines and linocut prints! My most recent zine is “F*** the 250th,” a collaborative anti-fascist and anti-racist anthology of art and writing from around the world to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the US Declaration of Independence.

Most of my zines are also available as free digital downloads at juliesetele.com.

WHY ZINES?
Zines encourage me to embrace my creativity and reject perfectionism. In addition to making zines, I teach about zines and curate a zine collection at the academic library where I work.

ANYTHING ELSE YOU WANNA SAY?
Free Palestine! F*** ICE! Land Back!

OMG YES check out these hand-printed pieces we’ll have at ZineFest for you to make!

A screen-printed ZineFest t-shirt you can buy - a remix of Andrew Burgess’ (of Gutter Pop Comics) poster design by Rosemary, who also mixed the ink to match the poster colors (and which looked deliciously similar to Nutella).

Buy a shirt for $15 or a tote for $10 or bring your own fabric item for $5!

And this adorable letterpress ZineFest program cover that folds down to a mini-zine made on Olga, also designed by the ever-talented Rosemary!

Make sure to head down to our Print Studio at ZineFest this Saturday to make your own!

ZineFest 2026 Vendor Spotlight: Jocelyn Richards

WHO ARE YOU?
I’m a poet, photographer, and tenant organizer. Much of my day is spent thinking about humanity and the power of collectivity, but my first zine, Awaken Her, explores what it means to reclaim yourself and reconnect with what makes you feel alive. I’m so excited to share it at ZineFest!

WHAT WILL YOU HAVE AT ZINEFEST?
I’ll be selling handbound copies of my first zine, Awaken Her, along with postcards featuring my black-and-white film photography from around Upstate New York.

*Find them year-round on my website and I’ll be at the Rochester Book & Paper Fair in September.

WHY ZINES?
Voices deserve to be heard! I believe in sharing ideas — whether or not they suit mainstream standards — and zines allow us to do that.

ZineFest 2026 Vendor Spotlight: Heidi Stavrevski

WHO ARE YOU?
Heidi Stavrevski is a multidisciplinary artist and graphic designer based in Buffalo, NY. With her inspiration deeply rooted in nature, she creates vibrant, whimsical work that is both sincere and silly. Some of her most notable works include stories such as Traffic Wizard, and Gleemond.

WHAT WILL YOU HAVE AT ZINEFEST?
Lots of cute animal and nature-themed comics, zines, and stickers, as well as a limited-edition risograph anthology featuring 12 WNY-based artists (granted by the 2026 Rochester Indie Comics Expo).

*You can find my comics/zines at Gutter Pop Comics and at my website stavreh.com/links

WHY ZINES?
I love how accessible and open-ended the format is! Not only have zines and the zine-community helped me overcome creative blocks, but they’ve also inspired me to explore the medium in ways I could’ve never imagined on my own.

Join us for a low-key ZineFactory Happy Hour this Tues (Aug 11 from 4:00-6:00pm)! We’ll drink some wine, put on some good tunes, fire up the copier, and chat/troubleshoot while we fold & staple away!

Shoutout to ZineFest vendor bridget ◡̈ for visiting the ZineFactory on Saturday (and allowing us to do an impromptu photoshoot lol)!

It went much better than our wine bottle + copier photoshoot 🤣

The Factory will be open Aug 11 (4pm-6pm), Aug 12–13 (11am-8pm), Aug 14 (11am-5pm)

Many thanks to bxiconsultants for making the ZineFactory possible!

ZineFest 2026 Vendor Spotlight: Mister Rigormortis

WHO ARE YOU?
I am a q***r multi-media artist, figure model, and drag performer born and raised in Buffalo. I have enjoyed zines many years but I have only started making my own this year.

WHAT WILL YOU HAVE AT ZINEFEST?
I am going to be selling a variety of small affordable zines along with prints and patches I have made of block prints I designed. I am particularly excited for my zine that is a compilation of all the prints I have designed thus far.

*Mister Rigormortis is a new consignment artist with Book Arts (yay!) where you can find his work year-round!

WHY ZINES?
I have always enjoyed zines for their accessibility. I love that people can utilize the medium to share their weird art, mini comics, and important information. I think they are a fundamental part of any artist’s tool kit to showcase their work. I hope that my zines bring q***r people joy : )

ANYTHING ELSE YOU WANNA SAY?
My zines are inherently q***r centered and are meant to be a visual feast for the eyes.

* Mister Rigormortis will also be performing an experimental Anti-A.I. Drag Performance at the ZineFest Pre-Party (Aug 14th) at Gutter Pop Comics!!

Get zine-y this Saturday (Aug 8, 10am-2pm) at Book Arts!

Up your zine game and learn 10 different, single sheet zine structures in a class with teaching artist Laura Chenault from 11am-1:30pm.

Check out our Teen Zine Exhibition in the main gallery, featuring work by teens involved with local teen zine programs.

Explore our artist shop with its growing zine collection, including new work by consignment artists Hannibal (slide 3) & Seth Brauchler (slide 4)

Make your own zines FOR FREE at the first day of ZineFactory! Paper, copier, tips, and other fun materials all provided!

Let’s make a zine mess!