On 22 February, the Centre for the Study of the Book hosted the Bodleian Library’s third annual Zine Fair on the theme of ‘Alternative Futures’ to celebrate zine-making and self-publishing by Oxford students and communities. From poetry collections to wearable zines, over 450 visitors came to view the exciting range of talent and creativity on display in the Weston Library.
Zine Fair poster designed by the first-year BA Graphic Design students at Brookes (left); view of the Zine Fair at the Weston Library (centre); collage activity with Brookes Publishing
Students of Oxford University’s Ruskin School of Art and Oxford Brookes University’s Fine Art, Graphic Design and Publishing showcased a range of projects completed during their studies in a range of media, including risograph prints, collage work, and decorated badges. Visitors also got to try their hand at letterpress printing with the Broad Street Press in the library led by Printer-in-Residence Richard Lawrence. Professor Henrike Lähnemann (Faculty of Medieval and Modern Languages, University of Oxford) additionally hosted a manuscript-making session where visitors made their own facsimiles of a medieval nun’s prayer book.
The Broad Street Press with Richard Lawrence and Alex Franklin (left); view of Zine Fair (centre); manuscript-making with Professor Henrike Lähnemann
Independent artists displayed and sold copies of their original works, including illustrated comics by Sar Cousins and Liz Lancashire, original projects by members of the Warehouse School of Art, and zines from the Bodleian Bibliographical Press curated by Adam Maynard and Caiban Butcher. Local publishing groups and zine collectives, such as Imperfect Bound, Inquisitive Type and OCCULTZ highlighted a wonderful array of materials from queer community care to science fiction. A fantastic day was had by all and we look forward to the 2026 Zine Fair!