Portland Zine Symposium

The Portland Zine Symposium returns to Portland State University this weekend, running Saturday, October 17 and Sunday, October 18, from 11 AM to 5 PM each day. It's a free zine fair that's been celebrating independent publishing and DIY culture in the city since 2001, and this year it takes over the Smith Ballroom in the Smith Memorial Student Union at 1825 SW Broadway.

It's grown into one of the largest zine events in the country, bringing together more than 200 zinesters from around the world and nearly 2,000 visitors every year. Along with the tables, there are free workshops, panels and discussions throughout the weekend. The symposium started in 2001, founded by artists and zinesters Eleanor Whitney, Elly Blue, Alex Wrekk and Nicole J. Georges. It took a hiatus in 2020 and moved to a digital format in 2021, but it's been partnering with PSU since 2022, moving to a campus venue large enough to hold the crowds it's been drawing.

One of the things that keeps it feeling like a community event is how low the barrier is for first-time tablers. The aisles bring together local university clubs, small presses and veteran comic artists side by side. You'll find hundreds of self-published works covering everything from pop culture and autobiographical comics to disability justice, queer identity, activism and art. It's the kind of place where you can spend an hour just flipping through things you'd never find in a bookstore.

Admission is free and open to the public, though most vendors charge for their work. The fair runs 11 AM to 5 PM on both Saturday and Sunday at the Smith Ballroom, 1825 SW Broadway.