Mildura Zine Fair 2019 at MAC

Published on 25 July 2019

Mildura Arts Centre (MAC) is set to host the first ever Mildura Zine Fair next month.

Zines – short for magazines or fanzines – are small-circulation, self-published works of text and images, which at times have been hugely popular over many decades.

Currently in the midst of another comeback, zines are set to take centre stage at MAC from 2 – 4 August as part of Mildura Zine Fair 2019.

Councillor for Arts and Culture Jason Modica said the idea to host a zine fair in Mildura was sparked by a recent travelling exhibition by State Library Victoria entitled Self-Made: Zines and Artist Books.

“The State Library Victoria exhibition really engaged with new audiences as well as connecting with local artists,” Cr Modica said.

“Based on the positive response to the exhibition, the Mildura Arts Centre team set about developing a national zine fair aimed at connecting and uniting zine-makers from across the country.”

Next month’s event has attracted both local and metropolitan-based artists, who will feature their works with 20 zine-maker stalls set up in the MAC foyer.

This is an opportunity for anyone interested in zines to explore the stalls over the weekend or come along to the Arts Bar on the opening night to network with other artists, zine makers or explore the volcano of zines!

The packed program will also feature workshops, a panel discussion with Sticky Institute Coordinator’s Luke Sinclair and Sam Reigl and artists, as well as a presentation by keynote speaker – curator and researcher Monica Syrette.

Monica will be speaking on The Power of print: zines vs the internet at the Saturday morning keynote address.

Monica has a long history in the arts, including ties to the zine culture.

After studying at the Canberra Institute of the Arts in the late 1980s – a city known as a major centre for artist books in Australia, Monica worked at Sydney independent music retailer Waterfront Records, ordering zines from local international makers and distributors.

She also curated the aforementioned State Library Victoria travelling exhibition Self-Made: Zines and Artist Books.

Mildura Zine Fair 2019 is a free event. The full program, which includes times for each session/event is available from the MAC website at www.milduraartscentre.com.au or at the MAC box office.

Media enquiries 
Ben Piscioneri
p) (03) 5018 8689 
e) ben.piscioneri@mildura.vic.gov.au