Left on the Bench (Mini-Zine Making Workshop)

A mini-zine-making session with a focus on what we imagine leaving (or being left) for (or by) a stranger on a bench.

Pause. Imagine. Play.

Maybe you’ll create something you are currently unable to show but long to be fully known for by others. Alternatively, you might express your hopes and fears about how things are, and what you long for people to know, believe, and change about themselves and the world. Or perhaps your little booklet will become a map carrying anecdotes, images, and fun facts to accompany a tour of the local environment.

On the other hand, you might want to reverse the perspective, imagining that you are the one who finds a small folded book left on a bench by a stranger. Who are they? What is their story? What hopes, dreams and fears occupy their thoughts right now? How does reality look and feel from their perspective? Maybe it’s a map that shows you somewhere familiar, but through their eyes rather than your own.

There are no rules. It’s just an opportunity to use your imagination and get creative in your own way in the presence of some other gentle rebels.

What to Expect

This is a 90-minute online session on Zoom.

• Arrival: I welcome everyone, introduce the session and help everyone get settled and started
• Creating: We spend the time making our zines – conversation tends to rise, fall, bubble, and settle throughout the session. Expect a chilled atmosphere with plenty of comfortable silence and time to chat as you play
• Departure: As we wrap up, there is space for people to voluntarily share what they’re taking with them from the session

What to Bring

• Essentials: Paper (A4, US Letter, or equivalent) and something to write with. And something to cut paper with. I will show you how to do it at the start.
• Optional extras: Materials to use for collaging, paints, pens, or anything else you want to work with.