Article and Photos by Olivia Montle
On March 4th, 2025, Kristian Brevik, Lecturer in the Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources, led a collaborative zine workshop for students, faculty, and staff in the Aiken Center at the University of Vermont. Participants were not exclusive to the Rubenstein School and so people from across UVM joined Brevik to learn about and create zines. Named as an abbreviation for magazines, zines are self-published and self-illustrated mini books that can provide information on any subject. Snacks, seltzer, and a bounty of art supplies welcomed attendees as they settled in at 5 o’clock for an evening of zine making. Brevik, a UVM alumnus, lecturer, and avid zine author, began with a brief history on zines and their purpose. The group was then invited to begin creating zines collaboratively, learning to fold paper into a small book that could be passed around the room. Each page was illustrated by a different person until the zine was complete, highlighting the roles of community, communication, and sharing in zine making. Zines on wildlife, clothing, weather, romance, mental health, and even hangnails were produced and handed from one person to the next, transforming participants into artists, authors, and readers simultaneously.
Hallie Getty, a Rubentstein student, hadn’t made a zine before. She describes Brevik’s workshop as “super fun and informative.” After making zines collaboratively, people were then able to make their own zines using a variety of artistic resources including stickers, stamps, markers, colored pencils, and tape. “[This] was my favorite part,” says Getty, “I made two zines and really felt like I was able to get a hang of the folding and crafting process. I would highly recommend attending one of Kristian’s workshops in the future.”
Anna Marchessault, the communications lead for Lake Champlain Sea Grant housed in RSENR, remarks “it was great being surrounded by college students learning about this alternative tool together. As someone who thinks about communicating science almost every day, learning new ways to do so – especially offline – is valuable.” Thus, staff and students alike were handed new opportunities and avenues for communication, creativity, and community building through Brevik’s workshop. This event was hosted by the RSENR Inclusive Arts Initiative, a program which focuses on the link between art and the environment by uplifting RSENR staff, faculty, and student made artwork. During the Fall 2025 semester, Brevik will teach a creative class with the goal of making a collaborative piece to be installed in Aiken Center.
