Portland Zine Symposium

The Portland Zine Symposium (PZS) is an organization that hosts, among other events, a yearly free conference and zine social exploring facets of independent publishing and DIY culture. This event has been held in Portland, Oregon every summer since 2001 and hosts over 150 zinesters from around the world each year, as well as many free workshops, panels, and discussions.

Mission Statement

The Portland Zine Symposium (PZS) aims to build community between creators of independent publications in Portland, OR and beyond. PZS events create space for artists to share their work while exchanging skills and knowledge related to zine culture, creative expression, and self-publishing in an accessible, non-commercial environment.  PZS strives to amplify the voices of underrepresented communities, and promote equitable conditions for Portland’s creative community to thrive.

PZS Organizers

The Portland Zine Symposium is run by volunteer organizers! Below are just a few of the folks helping organize the Portland Zine Symposium:

Emily Moroz

Emily Moroz (she/her/they) is a cartoonist, illustrator, gay outdoorslady and member of the Sound Grounds Wreckin’ Cru. Find more at moreohs.com and on IG @moreohs.art.

Person with cool cat-eye glasses and green/yellow hair. They're wearing a pink-ish beret and the background looks like comics and art prints!

Wren McSherry

Wren is 27 years old wringing and slinging comics for the people. They like cats, tea, film, and ranting about 70s manga. You can find them on insta @crowsden.

A brown haired person with a beard plus mustache combo wearing some cool black glasses.

Rainer Kannenstine

Rainer Kannenstine (He/Him) is a Portland based cartoonist focusing on the weird and wonderful. You can find his work @rfkannen everywhere with handles.

A person with blue eyes and a light beard & mustache wearing cool thin-rimmed glasses and looking past the camera.

Emlyn Thompson

Emlyn Thompson is an out-of-practice artist and lifelong monster enthusiast. He doesn't really have an online presence, but he's working to change that.

A person with short brown hair, blue eyes, and a light beard. They're wearing a kippah on their head and leaning in to smell a rose. The background is the International Rose Test Garden with flowers and grass!

CJ Alicandro

CJ Alicandro (they/them) is a self-proclaimed patron of the arts. Proudly queer Jew, karaoke enthusiast, union supporter, and all-around busy body.

A person with long dark hair smiling at the camera. They're wearing some neat thicker-rimmed glasses in maybe a tortoise shell style.

BB Andersson

BB Andersson is a cartoonist,
zinester, designer, and multimedia artist. Find their work at bbandersson.com and on instagram @bbandersson

Person with long light brown hair and blue/green eyes wearing a purple/blue/pink hat with little poof balls on it. The hat covers their chin too like it's part scarf! In the background, we see a bunch of troll dolls nailed to wooden planks!

Emma Wiseman

Emma (she/they) is a graphic designer & zinester. She can be found gardening, working on LURCH Zine, or at a show. See more of Emma’s work at @emmawisegnome.