E17: Zines

Transformer’s annual spring Exercises for Emerging Artists program is a peer critique and mentorship program created to support a selected group of DC-based emerging artists at critical points or crossroads in their professional growth and creative development. Centered on a different artistic discipline every year, this year’s iteration - E17: Zines - focused on zines and DIY publishing. E17: Zines artists include: Ayana Zaire Cotton, Jennifer Lillis, Athena Naylor, Late Comeback Press (Rachna Soun and Caroline Kim), Evyan Roberts, and Julie Sheah.

Intended to both advance artists' careers and build peer support, Transformer’s Exercises consists of comprehensive bi-weekly peer critique and mentorship sessions spanning several months to stimulate and encourage the participating artists as they create new work. Facilitated by Transformer staff, the participating artists receive mentorship and feedback from a series of mentors comprised of more established artists, curators, and other arts leaders.

In response to COVD-19, all E17: Zines peer critique & mentorship sessions were conducted via zoom calls this spring. As the traditional, in person, culminating summer exhibition of works created through the program is not feasible this year, this collection features the artworks each artist created through E17: Zines.