Later this month the first of two sessions will take place for Bacup Zine, a new workshop series I am organising for people in/around Bacup!
A zine is a self-published magazine or booklet. The idea for these workshops is that we all make one or several contributions to the zine. If things go well, I’ll organise workshops to make a second edition later on in 2026.
The workshops will take place at the ABD Centre in Bacup (Lancashire) and are free to attend! I will provide all tools, materials, as well as some refreshments. People can drop in any time between 10-16 h on November 22 (2025) and January 10 (2026), and people can join just one or both sessions, whatever suits them.
Stay at the workshop for just an hour if you don’t have more time or get bored, or stay for the whole day if you are in your flow and are enjoying yourself. This is very flexible to suit everyone’s needs!
I will bring things to write and draw with, watercolour, acrylic paints, materials for collage, various papers, etc. I will also bring prompts/ideas for people who don’t yet know what they might want to do. Moreover, I’ve copied some photos from local history books, and I’ve taken photos of objects at the Bacup Museum and will bring prints of these for people to use.
Participants could write and/or make something about an event of the past 6 months or so or something from further back in their memory, anecdotes, stories their (grand) parents told them, dreams and ambitions for Bacup, a study of a landmark or object related to Bacup, something related to local (folk) lore or (urban) myths, etc. It is very open-ended to give people the freedom to do something they are interested in.
I will collect and collate all contributions into a zine and get this printed locally. I am still on the lookout for a friendly printer who has a competitive price and/or who could offer a friendly price considering this is a community project from which no one makes any money as the workshops are totally free to attend and the digital as well as print version of the zine will be free to access/take home too.
I’ve spread the word a lot hoping to reach many local people. So if you are an adult or a child aged 10+ (under 16s need to be accompanied by an adult), please do drop in some time on Saturday Nov. 22 and/or Jan. 10 as I would love to see what you might make and/or write! Everyone’s got something interesting to share or to make, so do not worry about your skill level: all levels of skill/experience/abilities are welcome.
Facebook event for 22 Nov.
Facebook event for 10 Jan.
You do not need to sign up, just turn up on the day!
Feel free to bring your own photos or other materials you want to use as long as the materials/craft form is relatively clean. This means no spray paints, no spray glue, no smelly solvents, no glues with smelly solvents, etc. as we are doing this indoors and the event is also for minors (ages 10+), so this is not the place to bring harmful craft materials/chemicals. Thanks for understanding.
If you can’t make it to either of the sessions and/or you want to finish your contribution at home, that is awesome, and I would love for you to send me your contribution via e-mail (almalauha AT gmail DOT com).
I’ve made a website for Bacup Zine, where you can find more information and where the digital version will be available.
Can’t wait to see you all and/or receive your contributions via e-mail!
