A Small Book With a Big Story
Exploring Identity, Healing, and Community Resilience Through Creative Expression
This article was developed from a presentation by Dr. Joe Mageary as part of VELA Well-being’s seminar, “Reflections on Identity: Working Towards Community Based Resilience.” The presentation introduced zine-making as an art therapy-inspired, healing, and creative exercise that encourages self-expression, reflection on personal and collective identity, and the development of community resilience.
What Is a Zine?
A zine is a small, self-created publication that gives a person or a community a place to express something that matters.
The word zine comes from fanzine, which itself developed from the phrase fan magazine: homemade publications created by people who wanted to share their interests, ideas, experiences, and perspectives.
Over time, the idea of a zine has become much broader. A zine does not have to look professional. It does not require artistic training, expensive materials, or special technology.
It can contain words, drawings, photographs, quotations, collage, poetry, lists, memories, information, or almost anything its creator wants to include.
There is no single correct way to make a zine.
Zines can be made from almost any materials and can focus on almost any topic.
A zine can be created in one sitting or developed over days or weeks. It can be made alone, with a family, in a classroom, with colleagues, or as a community project.
Most importantly, a zine gives its creator a voice.
Why Zines? Creative Expression as a Path Toward Healing
Sometimes we have something important to say but do not know where to begin.
A blank sheet of paper can become a place to say:
This is what I experienced.
This is what matters to me.
This is what helped me.
This is what I find beautiful.
This is who I am.
This is who we are.
That is the simplicity and the power of a zine.
For individuals and communities experiencing stress, uncertainty, displacement, or trauma, creative activities such as zine-making can provide opportunities to express feelings, recognize personal strengths, explore identity, and reconnect with sources of meaning.
Zine-making can also encourage connection between people. When individuals choose to share their creations, they may discover common experiences, recognize one another’s strengths, and contribute to a sense of belonging.
Community resilience begins not only with what we overcome, but also with what we remember, create, value, and share.
You Don’t Have to Be an Artist
One of the ideas emphasized during Dr. Joe Mageary’s presentation was that zine-making is not about creating “great art.”
Think of it more like playing in a sandbox.
You can experiment. You can change something. You can make a mistake and incorporate it into your design. You can begin again.
The purpose is not perfection.
The purpose is creation, exploration, expression, and connection.
There is no pressure to share anything you wish to keep private. Your zine can be a personal reflection, a gift to someone, or a contribution to a larger community project.
All you really need is something you want to express.
About This Creative Practice
This material was adapted from a presentation by Dr. Joe Mageary for the VELA Well-being seminar “Reflections on Identity: Working Towards Community Based Resilience.”
The exercise was introduced as a creative, art therapy-inspired approach to exploring identity, encouraging emotional expression, supporting healing, and strengthening personal and community resilience.
Through such activities, VELA Well-being continues its mission of supporting those who support others, offering educators, mental health professionals, caregivers, and communities opportunities for reflection, connection, and well-being.