FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
OR QUESTIONS WE HOPE SOMEONE MIGHT WANT TO ASK US
What the heck is a zine?
Courtesy of Merriam-Website, a zine is a MAGAZINE, especially : a noncommercial often homemade or online publication usually devoted to specialized and often unconventional subject matter.
Where are you located?
We are a moveable feast, assembling once a month at public haunts, joints, and bonafide establishments in the Kenosha and Racine, WI area of the USA. Some locations include Lemon Street Gallery and Re:Vision Gallery in Kenosha, Phils on Phillips in Racine, Black-Eyed Press in the Racine Business Center, and the Coffee House at Chestnut & Pine in Burlington, WI.
What do you do?
We host monthly Art Jams, where the general public is invited to join us to draw, paint, collage, or write something that applies to our monthly theme. We provide paper. Participants are asked to bring their own supplies, but we're known to share our materials, too. We also publish a monthly, limited edition zine called MOSS PIGLET. This 32 page magazine is printed on quality stock in full, glorious color.
How long have you been around?
We held our first event in February 2016 at Public Craft Brewing in downtown Kenosha where several zinesters from different points in the Midwest converged to provide a lively experience on zine culture. One of the presenters was Jessie Lynn McMains, poet, mom, musician, zine-maker, and small press publisher (Bone & Ink Press), who was also the 2016-17 Racine Poet Laureate. Trust us, you can become a cooler person just by being in her proximity.
A major inspiration for the Art Jams and our zine was a program called DUNE that took place at Cafe Racer in Seattle. An Art in America article alerted us to this art happening and we quickly did our best to replicate it here.
A major inspiration for the Art Jams and our zine was a program called DUNE that took place at Cafe Racer in Seattle. An Art in America article alerted us to this art happening and we quickly did our best to replicate it here.
May I participate?
Yes, we'd be glad to welcome you to any of our Art Jams and publish your work in our zine. Visit our EVENTS page for information on an upcoming Art Jam. No RSVP required. If you are age 12 and under, we ask that you be accompanied by an adult.
You're welcome to join our Facebook group to provide suggestions, feedback and keep up on our activities. Click HERE to visit this group on Facebook.
You're welcome to join our Facebook group to provide suggestions, feedback and keep up on our activities. Click HERE to visit this group on Facebook.
May I create my work in advance of the Art Jam events?
Yes, many of our contributors begin to draw, write, or otherwise assemble their contributions in advance of each Art Jam and then complete them at the event. You may choose to conduct yourself in this manner, or put everything onto paper on the day of the event. If you are providing a digital image, this image needs to be 300dpi in a PDF, jpeg, or TIFF file. Your work will be returned to you at the following month's Art Jam or otherwise by providing your name/address with our organizers, so your work may otherwise be mailed to you or dropped off at a location that is convenient for you to collect it.
What is the size of the paper I should use to create my artwork?
5"w x 8" h for single page submissions or scalable to these dimensions.
11" w x 8.5" h with a .125" bleed for two-page spreads. Do not put any important part of the work in the outer 1/4" around the perimeter of your art. Do not put any important part of the work in the area that will serve as the gutter on the spread. The gutter is at the vertical center of the page and continues outward by 1.4" on each side of the center.
11" w x 8.5" h with a .125" bleed for two-page spreads. Do not put any important part of the work in the outer 1/4" around the perimeter of your art. Do not put any important part of the work in the area that will serve as the gutter on the spread. The gutter is at the vertical center of the page and continues outward by 1.4" on each side of the center.
Are any fees required?
We request a $5.00 contribution for participants to join in at each of our Art Jams. Your contribution defrays the cost of printing our zine and helps out with the cost of coffee and treats. We also invite participants to bring treats to share with everyone.
What the heck is a Moss Piglet?
Our zine is called MOSS PIGLET because we like the name and the animal, one of the most awesome of creatures.. A moss piglet is a tardigrade (translation: slow stepper); a microscopic animal that usually lives in the water. When they walk, they lumber along; therefore, they are also known as water bears, who feed on lichen and moss. They resemble miniature manatees. Chances are you've ingested a tardigrade or two when chomping on an apple or drinking water. They are the toughest of living things; they can survive the vacuum of space as well as temperatures of 300 degrees Fahrenheit. They can live without water for a year.
And here's another odd fact: when they poop, their stool is one-third the size of their body. Imagine dealing with a two-foot pile of poo in your toilet. You'd need to invest in a bigger plunger.
And here's another odd fact: when they poop, their stool is one-third the size of their body. Imagine dealing with a two-foot pile of poo in your toilet. You'd need to invest in a bigger plunger.
Could I subscribe to your zine?
YES! We would love to share our zine with you. Subscriptions are available now for 3 months, 6 months, and one year. Please note a price difference, due to shipping costs, for US/Canada and for the rest of the world. Click HERE to go to our subscriptions page.
I have a question that you have not included here. How can I get an answer?
Head over to our CONTACT page and send us your message. We look forward to hearing from you.