Activity Plan
This activity brings together two creative tools of expression, collages and zines, for youth to share their experiences, opinions and more
Collages provide an alternative form of expression to writing; the process of joining and juxtaposing different images and words can highlight connections and ideas that are difficult to express through writing. Zines come from a long tradition of marginalized communities reclaiming and sharing their narratives through the radical act of selfpublishing. Zines are a low-cost and simple way to share important stories and narratives, often missing from mainstream media. Together, zines and collages create space for youth to share their stories, thoughts and ideas This activity plan is designed to be used by an adult or peer facilitator to guide collage-making and zine creation on any topic or theme.
This activity plan was inspired by the workshop “Youth Authorship and Storytelling” that took place at York University in Treaty 13 territory/ Tkaronto during the launch of Young Indigenous Women's Utopia's second book: KÎYÂNAW OCÊPIHK and the publication of Out of Darkness, a poetry compilation by Hannah Battiste. Youth at this gathering produced the “Indigenous Authorship & Youth Storytelling: A collage zine”.
Activity Overview
Youth take part in a facilitated conversation and collage activity responding to or reflecting on a specific theme, topic or prompt.
First, there will be a group conversation and exercise on the zine theme. Building on this, youth participants will create their collages. With permission from those that take part, the collages will be compiled together to create a zine.
Activity Goals
Foster a sense of community between youth
Create an opportunity for youth to express themselves creatively
Create a shareable resource, a zine, for youth and their communities
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Collage Zine With Youth
Activity Plan
Supplies
Magazines (source magazines where youth will find themselves represented in the images and stories), scissors, glue, cardstock paper, pens or pencils, technology to scan collages (scanner, scanner app on a smartphone), optional: example zines, polaroid camera
Introduction
Go around the room and have everyone introduce themselves
Optional Artistic Warm Up
Give everyone a piece of paper and have them fold it three times
On the first third draw eyes
Pass the paper on to the next person
On the second section of the paper draw a nose
Pass the paper on to the next person
On the final section of paper draw a mouth
Have everyone unfold their papers and see the creations
Introduce Activity
Collaging is the process of bringing together different images and words In this process, there is a chance to express and uncover ideas and thoughts that can be hard to express through words
Zines are part of a long tradition of marginalized communities reclaiming and sharing their stories and narratives outside of mainstream media
If you have example zines pass them around so all the youth can see what different zines might look like
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Collage Zine With Youth Activity Plan
Invite youth to participate in the brainstorming activity by writing, speaking or just thinking about questions and prompts related to the theme of your activity Examples:
What is the first thing that comes to mind when I say, X?
Share responses What does X mean to you?
Share responses
Using the cardstock paper as a base, youth will:
Create a collage building on the brainstorming activity on the theme or topic
Go through materials finding images and words that images that speak to the theme or topic
Optional: if there is a polaroid camera invite the youth to take pictures of themselves and each other to put themselves directly into their collages.
Place the images and words on the paper, try out different formations, seeing what stories can be told with the images and words in the collage
Once the youth have finished the collage have them take a look at what they’ve created!
Are there new connections coming together?
Are they seeing things they didn’t intentionally put together?
Have the youth write one or two sentences of reflection on a separate piece of cardstock that will be displayed next to the collage in the zine.
Collage Brainstorm Reflect 3 4 5 6
Collage Zine With Youth Activity Plan
Share
Take some time for each person to share what they created and discuss it with the group.
Create the Zine
With youth permission, scan the collages and the accompanying reflections
Zines for printing can be made using a zine template
Upload the collage images with their descriptions
Create a cover image
Write an introduction that gives the context of the zine Keep in mind printing limitations when designing the zine, for example: black backgrounds will be expensive to print
If you intend to create a virtual zine the collages and reflections can be formatted on Microsoft Word, Googledocs, Canva or a different platform with editing abilities
Modify the Activity for Your Group
You may want to give participants the chance to work in pairs or small groups. You can also consider exhibiting the collages around the room after the activity so the group can discuss each-others work and exchange ideas. Additions or modifications can make the activity more meaningful for your group.
Connect with us!
Share your zines with More Than Words on social media or reach out to our project coordinator, Leann Brown leann.brown@mcgill.ca
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