Finding Inspiration in the Past
If you’ve dropped by Central Library on a Zine Fiends night, you’ve likely met Sammy Orlowski or Jill Clair. Beyond leading our popular monthly program, they’re also avid Library users who recently found creative inspiration in the London Room.
Sammy’s recent visit to the London Room was to research the London Regionalists, an influential group of artists who put London, Ontario on the map in the 1960s. She had heard about the ways they worked together, but seeing their collaborative zines firsthand was eye-opening. “It’s cool to think of someone like Greg Curnoe, who we usually think of as a visual artist, also experimenting with zines,” she says.
What surprised her most was discovering that the London Room isn’t just news archives, it also holds a rich history of the city’s art scene.
For both Sammy and Jill, exploring the London Room highlighted how zinemaking here is part of a much bigger story of creative collaboration. Sammy points out that London’s zine scene feels connected to the city’s music scene, where artists also challenge the city’s reputation for being conservative. “The Regionalists dealt with that same stereotype,” she explains. “But by finding each other and working together, they created really striking work. That same energy is alive in today’s zine community, too.”
Jill adds that London’s creative spirit has always extended beyond visual art. “This city has a rich history of experimental music and DIY arts,” she says. “With Zine Fiends, we want to honour that history while also keeping zinemaking as low-barrier as possible, so anyone can join in.”
There’s a common misconception that the London Room is only for academic research, but Sammy and Jill see it as a space for artists, too. Alongside books, the collection includes exhibition programs, correspondence, and ephemera — pieces of London’s cultural history that might otherwise be forgotten. For Jill, that speaks to “the values of librarianship and libraries in general. You need professionals who can act as an access point, with the training and knowledge to make sure those things remain accessible.”
When asked about zines’ lasting appeal, Jill points to the freedom they offer. “Because you’re going outside traditional publishing, zines allow for a raw, unfiltered expression of niche topics, and they often reach their audience by chance,” she explains. Sammy agrees, adding that zines have “always been a way to share the work of marginalized voices,” whether through poetry, illustration, collage, or other forms.
That openness is at the heart of London’s zine community, where beginners and long-time zinesters trade ideas, swap creations, and cheer each other on. “There’s just something really special about building a library of things your friends and local community members have made,” says Sammy.
That spirit will be on full display at Zineography, the Library’s annual celebration of zine culture, small press, prints, and comics. Sammy hopes people will come to try zinemaking or browse the vendors’ beautiful work. Jill insists “there’s something in zinemaking for pretty much anyone.” Curiosity and connection are just as important as creating.
Zineography takes place September 27 at Central Library from 12-4pm. Learn more and find event details here. Learn more about Zine Fiends here.
