LetterZine #11: Tradition

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Rights for all artwork remain that of the collaborator. Please don’t be a dick and try to steal our art. C O V E R D E S I G N : Courtney Macca I N T E R I O R : Kat Schober



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AYLA MIROLO This is a line from a Dropkick Murphy’s song, “The Season’s Upon Us”, and I went with this because I couldn’t think about tradition without wondering about what traditions other people must have. The background includes some traditions from my life, as well as some from the people around me, and I love this line because tradition can mean so many things (good or bad) to so many people, I feel like it’s sort of, all-inclusive of everyone.​ L E A R N M O R E A B O U T AY L A :

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C U R AT O R & C O L L A B O R AT O R

Brittany Arita

Woodstove burning. Stacked logs by the fireplace, in preparation. The wind-up snow globe winds down, slivers of glitter float like snowflakes. And outside, the lake has finally frozen again. They’re clearing a small square. Laced ice skates & plushy snowsuites rush to the make-shift rink. The spotlight tied tight to the birch tree shines down. Skates carve figure-8s under the glow of snow. Shake the memory and every thing feels like magic again. LEARN MORE ABOUT B AY R LI TAT: A N WYE: B SWI TE EB S I| T EI N S| T A I NGSRTAAM GRAM



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Cassandra Lea-Saxton Thinking back over the last few years, it seems that my biggest holiday tradition is to drink way too many eggnog lattes, while also burying myself in projects. From November 1 - December 24, it’s rare to not find some stray confetti stuck in my hair, ink smudges on my arm, watercolor splatters on my face and phone, or glitter everywhere. You’ll often find these bits of stray craft supplies on our dogs, Sherman and Bartlett, or our cat, Mr. Leo, as well. Now, if only I could find a decent vegan eggnog... LEARN MORE ABOUT C A YALSAS :A NWDERBAS: I T W E E |B SIIN TS E T A| G IRNASM TA G R A M



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COURTNEY MACCA The tradition I uphold most consistently is lettering annual Valentine’s Day postcards that I send out to friends and family. I was actually shocked when I realized that this February will mark my fifth year of this tradition! While some other people mail Christmas cards, I’ve decided to take ownership of that February holiday and spread the love to everyone that I can! Plus I can never get enough of pink. LEARN MORE ABOUT C A YOLUAR: T N WEEYB: S IW T E B S| I TI N E S T| A IGNRSATM AGRAM



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Janna Barrett We have several Christmas traditions in my family. On Christmas Eve, we always have a special dinner—this has ranged from homemade turkey soup by candlelight, to frozen deep dish pizza shipped from Chicago. On Christmas morning, my mom serves us egg casserole and mimosas. And of course, we always find time to watch Home Alone together. L E A R N M O R E A B O U T JAA YN L AN: A :W EWBESBI T S IET E|

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C O L L A B O R AT O R

JESSICA FIMBEL After finishing my piece, I realized that this isn’t necessarily a tradition because it wasn’t handed down, but it is something that my husband and I do every single day. We always give three kisses – in the morning when we leave for work, when we get home, after we say goodnight, etc. It is my favorite part of my daily routine. L E A R N M O R E A B O U T JA K EY R SLI SS ATI:C EA N W:: E BW WSEEI T BBE SS II TT| EE I N || S IT IN N ASSGTTRA AAG GM RR A AM M



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KRISTEN GIRARD Something I love to do by myself before every Christmas is wrap the gifts I’ve made or bought for the people I love. Ribbon + wrapping paper + wine…and you really can’t go wrong. LEARN MORE ABOUT K AY R LI SAT: E N W: E BWS EI TBES I T| E I N| S T IN A SGTRAAGMR A M



C O L L A B O R AT O R

Shauna Lynn Panczyszyn While driving recently, I had an idea for a train (like the Polar Express) and decided to dream up some branding for it. Introducing, the North Pole Express! LEARN MORE ABOUT S AH Y LAAU:N A W: E BWSEI TB ES I T| E I N| S ITNASGTRAAGMR A M



C O L L A B O R AT O R

MAT DUBORD On one of the days around the Winter Solstice, our family gets together, year after year, to decorate sweater-shaped confections, competing for the glory of Ugliest Ugly Sweater Cookie. If you make a MAGA sweater you automatically win. Ugly. L E A R N M O R E A B O U T LAA YU L AR :E NW : EW B SEIBT SE I T |E I N | SI TNASG TA RA GM RAM



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Kaitlin Callender What’s the deal with the Yule log? Do we deck the halls with boughs of holly because suddenly all we have is wintergreen plants? When Googling Christmas traditions it’s not hard to find yourself suddenly on a Pagan themed webpage. This is where I found the story of the Holly King and the Oak King. Their battle takes place at the Equinoxes. During Midsummer the Oak King is at his strongest. During Yule the Holly King has his power - ever see the images of a Santa looking guy wearing a crown of holly and ivy? That’s him. Each King represents the light and darkness that we experience throughout the year. Even though the Holly King is the essentially the dark lord, we celebrate what he represents nonetheless. After all he represents transformation in many ways - maybe that ties into the tradition of New Year’s Resolutions? LEARN MORE ABOUT K AY A LI TAL: I NW: E W B SEI B T SE I T|E I N | SITNASGT R AA GM RAM



C O L L A B O R AT O R

LAUREN FLORENCE Every year, right after thanksgiving, my husband and I have a tradition of watching The Nightmare Before Christmas while decorating our tree. It’s the perfect transition movie between Halloween and Christmas, our favorite holidays. And who can resist the wonderful world of Tim Burton? L E A R N M O R E A B O U T LAA YU L AR :E NW : EW B SEIBT SE I T |E I N | SI TNASG TA RA GM RAM



C O L L A B O R AT O R

KATE LALIME My favorite holiday tradition is the big family party my parents have at their house every Christmas Eve! LEARN MORE ABOUT K AY A LT A E:

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C O L L A B O R AT O R

KAT SCHOBER I remember a festive train being set up a couple of times before the holidays, and sometimes there would be an abundance of red flowers. Some years, we would attend a Christmas Eve service at our Presbyterian church, and others I would play dreidel with my school friends at recess. Some Christmases, a lucky pickle ornament was hung from our tree and some we neglected to decorate altogether. Traditions never stuck around in my family, just a rotation of different foods, different people, and cheer! LEARN MORE ABOUT K AY A LT:A : WW EB ES B ISTI E T E | | I NI N S TS A TA GG RA RA MM



C O L L A B O R AT O R

Molly Taaffe My most cherished Christmas tradition is watching It’s a Wonderful Life as many times as possible. Jimmy Stewart and Donna Reed are absolute magic onscreen and the message is so beautiful. LEARN MORE ABOUT M A YOL LAL:Y : WW E BE SBISTI ET E | | I NI N S TSAT G AG RA RM AM



C O L L A B O R AT O R

PAM GALANTE Tradition in my family has always been making pasta from scratch. It is a yearround tradition that is extra special when we can share our creations with our extended family at Christmas dinner. Ravioli is my favorite to make and share, though my brother would probably say his is my grandfather’s Gnocchi recipe! LEARN MORE ABOUT P AA YM L A: : WWEEBBSSI T I TEE | | I N I NSSTTAAGGRRAAMM


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