To Be Zine

I first read a Zine in the 1990’s when travelling with my husband and my daughter down the East Coast. I loved local bookstores and the gems I found there, particularly those small, self-made magazines, called zines, by artists and writers. They felt raw in their creative expression and simple, but personal storytelling. Some were fragmented like dreams symbolic. They left a mark on my mind. I created my own, and then let them go and returned to them ever so often.

Now in my ten years at Touro University Graduate School of Social Work, I have been teaching an elective on expressive arts / creative arts in social work practice. Of course, I include zine-making as an activity for the Expressive Arts in Social Work Practice. Zines became a self-expressive, creative mode of connection for students who taught it to other children and teens in their field internship.

In the summer of 2022, I attend a Zine workshop at the Center for Photography at Woodstock (CPW) in Kingston. I met the most amazing artists and photographers, and their creativity reminded me of the spark I felt the first time I held a little zine. We created a beautiful collaborative collage with photography mostly and my collages as they were inclusive of other images beside photos. That summer inspired me to create an entire website on Zine, called To Be Zine, but decided to merge it here at Inksite as I have down with my Dream Circle website.

All in one place.

To be zine focuses on themes close to my heart: mattering, belonging, and the profound beauty of sharing our stories. Zines do come in all sizes, and hold all forms of expression, not just art. They are an integration of anything you wish to see in them, and they can be printed at home or professionally. They are a way to express anything you wish and connect with others. I hope you find this space inspiring, and it empowers you to explore your creativity in the way it flows for you.

Join the Journey

I’ll be hosting workshops where we’ll not only learn the art of zine-making but also explore themes that matter deeply to us. Together, we’ll create zines that reflect our individuality and shared humanity.

To Be Zine is a space to celebrate the power of creativity, build community, and amplify diverse voices. Whether you’re a reader, a creator, or someone who’s simply curious about the world of zines, you’re welcome here.

Let’s explore what it means to matter, to belong, and to be seen. Let’s create together.

About Me

Hi, I’m Annecy! I’m an educator, psychotherapist, digital collage and mixed media artist, and an enthusiastic zine maker. My journey with zines began in the 1990s and has evolved into a deep passion that I now share with my students. At Touro University Graduate School of Social Work, I teach the Expressive Arts in Social Work Practice course, where zine-making is one of the creative tools we explore.

I’m also the author of My Daughter’s Eyes and Other Stories, and my poetry, fiction, and artwork have been featured in various anthologies and journals. Zines have become a cherished part of my creative journey, and I’m thrilled to share this passion with you.

Thank you for joining me at To Be Zine @ Inksite!

Together, we can create a community where creativity thrives, and everyone feels like they belong.