Bradley Street Bike Co-Op | Culture & Community | East Rock | Arts & Culture | Zines
Artist Daniel “Silencio” Ramirez, who runs El Rincon de Papel. Nelani Mejias Photos.
At the Bradley Street Bicycle Co-Op, fall was in full force. Orange and yellow leaves crunched underfoot. Crowds of people spilled in and out of the wide-open garage door, some sitting on makeshift benches. Several flipped through pages of their newly acquired zines, showing the person next to them their haul of local art.
Inside, paper-clad tables lined each side of the cozy room, filled with the artists responsible, and curious minds perusing the spread.
That set the scene at the most recent New Haven Zine Fair, hosted by Connectic*nt Magazine with artists that ranged from Brian Lutz and Punks at the Beach to Syck Arts and Sophie Spaner. In all, 14 zine artists participated, with dozens of attendees throughout the afternoon.
“It [the zine fair] was going to be a one-time thing, but people loved it,” said Connectic*nt co-editor Mar Pelaez, who currently helms the zine with fellow co-editor Iyanna Crockett. Sunday, they’d brought along several past archival issues, and a new one that is dropping this month
They motioned to their 20th and most recent issue, “HALLOWEEN,” which exudes spooky season with what they referred to as a “cunty” red devil on the cover. The image, posed by Julez Bandtanna, is taken by the magazine’s founder, Zoe Jensen.
What attracts them to the craft, like many other zine makers, is the freedom of expression. They have the “ability to decide how we will talk about our stories,” Pelaez said.
The next issue of Connectic*nt Magazine is expected for February 2026.
A similar philosophy goes for artist Daniel “Silencio” Ramirez, founder of El Rincon de Papel. A community resource for BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) creatives, El Rincon is working to create a space for “underrepresented individuals to share their stories without restriction from mainstream outlets,” Ramirez said.
“My wish is to keep making zines more accessible,” said Ramirez. That was clear from the spread in front of them, their wide assortment of zines, from poetry to guides to illustrations, colorfully displayed their mission. Walking up to their table, those attending would be encouraged to look through the selection that was free and ready to be shared.
This motivation is also one that drives New Haven artist John Guillemette.
“Zine culture in New Haven is a great way to connect,” he said, behind a table that featured an assortment of his most recent comic, an illustrated artist statement, and his new collaborative book Gina School. “It takes the isolation out of writing and drawing.”