A zine is a self-published, handmade, or small press booklet that is distributed for the purpose of sharing ideas, experiences, and perspectives, often of historically marginalized or underrepresented subcultures. Zines come in many different shapes and sizes and can be about ANYTHING, but it’s especially satisfying to make an 8-page mini-zine from ONE piece of printer paper.

Join local artist and zine-maker Jess Walters for an interactive workshop “How to Make A Mini-Zine.” We will explore a variety of examples of zines, learn some of Jess’ favorite collage techniques, and pick up some copying tips and tricks before transforming an ordinary piece of paper into a creative work of art.

Jess will demonstrate how to fold a single sheet of paper into an 8-page mini-zine and materials and prompts will be provided* for folks to fill out their zine with writing, stickers, drawings, and/or collage. Take your zine home, make copies to share with friends, or bring some to swap at Charlottesville ZineFest, coming up on October 18, 2025 at JMRL Central Library.

Jess Walters (they/them) is a local artist, advocate, and independent scholar. Their work focuses on the intersections of art and health and they strategize to improve accessibility accommodations in creative and cultural arts spaces to cultivate inclusive opportunities for community engagement. Walters is an Arts Research Fellow at the UVA Center for Health Humanities and Ethics, a Board Certified Patient Advocate (BCPA) and a founding member of Charlottesville ZineFest. Their artwork has been featured at the Virginia Museum of History and Culture, Second Street Gallery, and New City Arts’ Welcome Gallery.

*All instructions and materials required zine-making will be provided, including items from Jess’ personal collage library. However, if participants would like to bring photographs, books, magazines, or other paper materials specific to their interests or passions to collage with, they are invited and encouraged to do so.

ages 16 and up

pay what you can, suggested price $10

Sign up here!

In the top five list of items any crafter might have lingering in their craft cave is unused paper and scraps of material. With that and a little bit of mat board, glue, string, and the desire to journal or keep records of all your crafts and feelings, you can make a journal of your very own.

In this class, local craft-o-logist, Rebecca, will show you how to put together a journal using up-cycled items such as fabric, paper, cardboard, and string. You will also be introduced to the art of bookbinding and go home with a journal or three of your own and the knowledge and resources to continue your new craft.

Ages 12 and up

$45

Sign up here!

In the top five list of items any crafter might have lingering in their craft cave is unused paper and scraps of material. With that and a little bit of mat board, glue, string, and the desire to journal or keep records of all your crafts and feelings, you can make a journal of your very own.

In this class, local craft-o-logist, Rebecca, will show you how to put together a journal using up-cycled items such as fabric, paper, cardboard, and string. You will also be introduced to the art of bookbinding and go home with a journal or three of your own and the knowledge and resources to continue your new craft.

Ages 12 and up

$45

Sign up here!

Join Marian Morrill, CZT (Certified Zentangle Teacher), in "tangling" on small squares (2x2 inches) of black paper or "bijou tiles." We'll work on four different patterns ("tangles") using white Gelly Roll pens as well as both graphite and white pencils. White ink on a black tile creates beautiful studies in light. These smaller tiles are a warmup for students to draw their own creation with a larger black tile. All materials are provided.

ages 13 and up

$35

Sign up here!

In the top five list of items any crafter might have lingering in their craft cave is unused paper and scraps of material. With that and a little bit of mat board, glue, string, and the desire to journal or keep records of all your crafts and feelings, you can make a journal of your very own.

In this class, local craft-o-logist, Rebecca, will show you how to put together a journal using up-cycled items such as fabric, paper, cardboard, and string. You will also be introduced to the art of bookbinding and go home with a journal or three of your own and the knowledge and resources to continue your new craft.

Ages 12 and up

$45

Sign up here!

In the top five list of items any crafter might have lingering in their craft cave is unused paper and scraps of material. With that and a little bit of mat board, glue, string, and the desire to journal or keep records of all your crafts and feelings, you can make a journal of your very own.

In this class, local craft-o-logist, Rebecca, will show you how to put together a journal using up-cycled items such as fabric, paper, cardboard, and string. You will also be introduced to the art of bookbinding and go home with a journal or three of your own and the knowledge and resources to continue your new craft.

Ages 12 and up

$45

Sign up here!

In the top five list of items any crafter might have lingering in their craft cave is unused paper and scraps of material. With that and a little bit of mat board, glue, string, and the desire to journal or keep records of all your crafts and feelings, you can make a journal of your very own.

In this class, local craft-o-logist, Rebecca, will show you how to put together a journal using up-cycled items such as fabric, paper, cardboard, and string. You will also be introduced to the art of bookbinding and go home with a journal or three of your own and the knowledge and resources to continue your new craft.

Ages 12 and up

$45

Sign up here!

In the top five list of items any crafter might have lingering in their craft cave is unused paper and scraps of material. With that and a little bit of mat board, glue, string, and the desire to journal or keep records of all your crafts and feelings, you can make a journal of your very own.

In this class, local craft-o-logist, Rebecca, will show you how to put together a journal using up-cycled items such as fabric, paper, cardboard, and string. You will also be introduced to the art of bookbinding and go home with a journal or three of your own and the knowledge and resources to continue your new craft.

Ages 12 and up

$45

Sign up here!

Join Sarah in the Scrappy Elephant Classroom for a fun printmaking workshop! You will learn the basics of linocut printing and have the opportunity to make countless prints and cards. Leave with the knowledge of printmaking, your linoleum stamp (or even two), and MANY beautiful handmade prints and cards.

for ages 15 and up

$35

Sign up here!

No teacher, no rules, just a chance to come play with patterns. We are always overflowing with old patterns. What would you do with them? Come use all the materials we have in the studio and as many old patterns as you want and let your creative juices flow! Bring a friend, a snack, a bevy, or nothing at all but yourself and come play!

$10

Ages 16 and up

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Our time together in this workshop is less of a deep dive into the art of collage and more a surprising and remarkable deep dive into the art of the soul. Working with images only (no text) and with a specific 5x9 inch format, we will create three collages representing our past, our present and our future. As we're creating we are tapping into our intuition and letting go of judgement and expectation. When the collages are complete we will gather to share our work an exercise unique to the SoulCollage® process.

Ages 18 and up

$45

Sign up here!

Learn the basics of bookbinding by making your own watercolor sketchbook! We’ll cover the anatomy of a book, choosing quality materials, basic stitching, and finishing with case binding. You’ll leave with a beautiful small hardcover sketchbook!

Ages 16 and up

$60

Sign up here!

Adults will learn the basics of pencil sketching and shading and create a small still life drawing.

Ages 18+

$25 for the class. Sign up here!