Protest Art Zine & Workshop

In summer 2025, I had the opportunity to lead a protest art workshop for a We Rock! Chicago (formerly Girls Rock! Chicago) summer camp. While most of campers day is devoted to playing in their bands, they also get to select daily workshops focusing on topics of music and artistic expression, as well as media and social justice.

I’ve always been passionate about art for social change, and decided this was the perfect opportunity to lead a session on the topic with a group of enthusiastic students. To frame the session, I focused on how art has been part of historic social movements, educating, encouraging, and spreading messages.

To help frame the session, I introduced students to 6 social justice artists from history and present day—printmakers Corita Kent and Amos Paul Kennedy, Chicago illustrators Olly Costello and Monica Trinidad, data artist Mona Chalabi, and multidisciplinary creative Faith Ringgold. To make the learning stick, I created and distributed a folded 8-page zine that students got to take home that explored each artist and some of their work. When I discovered a camper who was an expert at folding zines, the end of the session turned into a fun peer-led activity to teach the rest of the class how to assemble their take-home zines.

The main activity of the workshop was allowing the campers to create a protest sign of their own about a topic that mattered to them. We brainstormed methods for communicating through posters, how to narrow down slogans to something pithy and easy to understand, as well as how symbols and illustrations can carry a great deal of meaning in a simple visual. Students advocated for topics ranging from abolishing ICE, disability rights, anti-corruption, to climate and racial justice.

Front and back view of the zine, including the invitation to DIY your own revolutionary art

Interior of the zine with features on printmakers Amos Paul Kennedy and Sister Corita Kent, multidisciplinary artist Faith Ringgold, illustrator Monica Trinidad, data visual artist Mona Chalabi, and illustrator Olly Costello.

The final slide of the presentation with social justice artwork selected to inspire the students. Work featured is by the artists featured in the zine/presentation as well as Langston Alston, Aram Han Sifuentes, Keith Haring, Works Progress Administration artists, Emory Douglas, Phoebe Wahl, Ladyfingers Letterpress, Tuesday Bassen, Favianna Rodriguez, among others.