Maria Burke

In addition to managing the Mitchell Street branch library, Maria loves reading books and drinking tea. She has a degree in Book & Paper Arts, where she learned hand bookbinding, letterpress printing, and hand papermaking. She has been working with Milwaukee Zine Fest since 2018 and this just might be her favorite event of the year, where she especially enjoys teaching workshops related to book making and paper folding. Her introduction to zines was in high school when a group of students self-published a collection of art and writing that didn’t make it into the official lit magazine.

Kelly Bolter

Hello! I’m Kelly Bolter, the Adult Programming Coordinator at Milwaukee Public Library. I have been part of the Milwaukee Zine Fest Team since 2022, serving as the onsite logistical planner, coordinator, and day-of point person at Central Library. Libraries are for everyone, and Milwaukee Zine Fest is a truly welcoming space for all. Milwaukee Public Library is proud to host this diverse, inclusive celebration of literacy, creativity, and accessible representation.

Emily Dalske (Official MZF Photographer)

Emily is a Milwaukee-based photographer specializing in documenting Queer subcultures. With over three years of experience in the film and photography industry, Dalske has worked on a wide range of projects, from independent films to large-scale productions such as Top Chef. Their photography work has also been featured in exhibitions, including at the Arts + Literature Laboratory in Madison, WI.

Dalske’s work centers on amplifying underrepresented voices and exploring themes of identity, joy, and solidarity within the Queer community. In addition to photography, they have a strong interest in zine production as a medium for DIY storytelling and creative expression.

Casey ‘KC’ Harrison

Casey ‘KC’ Harrison (DARK AGE online) is a designer, illustrator and printmaker currently living in Milwaukee, WI. I have been creating zines and zine-like objects for as long as I can remember. I have been involved in the local zine community since 2017 and have participated in dozens of zine fests. I joined the Milwaukee Zine Team around 2019 as a way to become more involved in the community that is so dear to me. I am the curator of the quarterly (maga)zine WYRD, and am proud to be the very first recipient of Lion Tooth’s Dandelion Residency, ’22-23.

Gwendolyn Long

I attended Zine Fest for the first time in 2023 and was amazed by all of the vendor’s creativity. I didn’t have enough money on me, but I’ll be better prepared in 2024 and in the future! As a staff member at Milwaukee Public Library, I’m happy to be a part of the planning team for Zine Fest. There’s something for everyone to enjoy. I also hope to create a Zine of my own in the future.

Cris Siqueira & Shelly McClone-Carriere

Cris Siqueira and Shelly McClone-Carriere are co-owners of Lion’s Tooth, a bookstore café and art space specializing in zines, small press books and comics for kids and adults.

Cris (she/her) is a Brazilian-born artist and 2023/24 Ruth Arts Mary Nohl Alumni Fellow, currently working on her first graphic novel.

Shelly (she/her) is one of the founders of the Riverwest Co-Op Grocery & Café and former School Café coordinator at Highland Community School.

Michael Wendt

Mike Wendt is the Programming Director at Woodland Pattern, a poet- and artist-run nonprofit book center, gallery, and performance space, where he helps to plan and facilitate hundreds of events and activities each year. In previous lives he’s worked as a printmaker and an English instructor, among other things. Mike lives in Milwaukee with his wife, their three kids, a dog, a leopard gecko, and an especially demanding Tamagotchi.