Vol.
June 2017
Punkcake Zine
2
Put Together by: Jessica Curtin & Travis Duda
Fueled by:
Cups of COffee by Ian @ Lucky’s Cafe
Any questions? e-mail ‘ em to punkcakealternoart@gmail.com
Rutland artist Michelle Sarkisian Glorious water colors Brooches, clips, and vintage garden designs Lovemarythequeen.com
“If it’s not already done in Worcester, you need to do it, so get on it” says Matt Glidden. “If you find something that you can’t find in Worcester, do it yourself. That’s what we do here in Worcester.” It was that philosophy which led Glidden to launch Kraftea, Worcester’s entry in the increasingly popular kombucha market. A craft beer aficionado, Glidden became fascinated with the fermented tea drink while repping for a beer company at a festival in Vermont. “Out of all of the things there, nine out of ten were beers, there were a couple of ciders, and then there was this kombucha from Maine (Urban Farm Fermentory). So I tried some of their stuff and
it was amazing, and I decided I needed to find out more about it.” After doing some research, Glidden discovered that, other than Urban Farmer and the Green River Collective in Greenfield, Mass, “there wasn’t really anyone making it in Worcester.” He decided to take matters into his own hands.
“I started making it for myself, and then I started making larger and larger batches because I was drinking plenty of it, and I also had friends and neighbors who were asking for more. At a certain point, I realized they weren’t just being nice.” He started getting requests to bring his kombucha to parties and events, “and that’s when I realized
there was a market for this. People started telling me that their friends and relatives were drinking it all the time.”
Although he became somewhat obsessed with it, Glidden isn’t a kombucha evangelist. “I’m not going to go so far as to say that it’s like crossfit or veganism… but it’s on par. I’m trying to hold back and say I make it and if you like it, that’s great. But I’m not going to say that it’s going to change the world…it’s an ideal alternative to sugary sodas and drinks of that nature. There’s probiotics and amino acids and vitamins and minerals. There are some really good things in it, it’s healthy bacteria and it’s really good
for your guts. In a way it’s a health drink, but it also has a little bit of carbonation, so it fills that same niche as any soda or seltzer would, so that’s part of the reason it’s getting more popular.”
Realistically, though, it can’t really be called a health drink. “Because you have fermented sugar and live, active yeast, you’re going to have a little bit of alcohol.” This led to initial problems with retailers for some brewers, as the legal standard for alcohol content is one half percent, and naturally brewed kombucha can have up to three percent. “It depends on the day, it’s a living product.” Legally, you can’t claim to be a healthy alcohol, “but there are a lot of good things in it.”
Glidden brews his Kraftea Kombucha via the 3 Cross Brewery right here in Worcester, and you can find it in their tap room on Cambridge Street, and their website, www.kreafteakombucha.com , has an updated list of local stores, bars and restaurants where you can find it as well.
to hear the whole interview, go find our podcast soundcloud.com/punkcakealternoart
Heather Rose is a conceptual portrait artist from New England, specializing in dark and surreal figurative work. Her subject matter ranges anywhere from bizarre eroticism to realistic portraiture. When not making art, she can usually be found playing with her rabbits or watching hockey.
Check out more of her work at: heatherrosestudios.com
Sarah K Duda IG: @sgarland2485
SEAN HOSCHEK with
1. Who are you & what do you do?
I am Sean Hoschek, I am 25 years old, and I am so bad at this (talking about myself). Um… I work as a graphic designer for a wholesale gift company by day, and in the off hours I am a maker, crafter, designer, photographer, vendor, and co-founder/owner of The Ink Mill Shop.
2. Tell us a little about The Ink Mill Shop (IMS). The IMS started out as a way for co-founder/sister/best friend Heather Polese and I to try to establish a business by using our varied creative talents and our love of art. Initially it was for us to have a place to create custom art for people, but in order to show people what artists in The Ink Mill can do, we’ve created a an Etsy store, vend at shows, and promote via social media.
We can be found: Facebook.com/inkmillshop Etsy.com/shop/theinkmillshop inkmillshop@gmail.com (custom orders)
3. What inspires you and compels you to make art?
My inspirations as an artist are the things that go bump in the night, the macabre and risqué, the horror aesthetic, and the multiple artists that I have had around me over the course of my life. I also find inspiration in the Victorian work of Edgar Allen Poe, the crude paintings of John Wayne Gacy, photography of Sally Mann and Gregory Crewdson, the performance art of Amanda Palmer and Yoko Ono, the movies from Alfred Hitchcock and Steven Spielberg, tintypes of the 19th century, the bizarre and dark works of Edward Gorey… the list goes on.
4. Can you tell us about something awesome that happened or came to you because of your artwork?
Definitely! I did a Steampunk festival organized by Jeff Mach last fall (2016). It was his first event in MA and we had a moment to talk while I was vending. He thought I would be a great fit for the panels, so I joined a few of them for Dark Side of the Con this past March. It. Was. Amazing. There were so many different kinds of people! Dark, eccentric, amazing, wonderful people! I’ve also participated in Ren Fairs, Fet Con, gothic and industrial music conventions. That one involved a LOT of makeup, leather and jewelry workers, as well as a huge variety of people. I would absolutely do it again- in fact I’m doing it again next year!
5. Last question- if you were a cupcake (this is a Punkcake interview, afterall), what kind would you be?
I would be a coffee cake cupcake because I’m sweet and highly caffeinated with a little bit of spice.
Sarah Margaret Frye IG: @sarah_margaret_frye
IG: @jovan1992
Jovan Fernandez
On a Crisp, Autumn Day
Sacred knights Lend an ear. Ladies in waiting Hold your tongues. The King Is in court. Magic has arrived, And Hearts are made to listen. Merlin has returned Fantasies become reality Reality only a fantasy.
Jousting matches, Long awaited tournaments presented. A Victor to be named. Highly sought after men Placed in the ring. Death to the weak Strength only for the meek. Favors given by the beauties. A spell like ambiance on this Bright, crisp autumn day. All in their places.
Loud clapping. Fast gallops drowning out the sounds of the people watching. Knights falling off their horses Wounded but not yet broken Helmets smashed slightly, Left on for protection.
Long, heavy swords are drawn out for One last duel to the death Two competitors remain.
Swords fly through that Crisp, autumn air. Heavy breathing between the two, young men. Swaying like swans Moving together and a part,
(54)
Promenading
Serenading the other with their sword. A sword hits armor, cuts right through The sound of metal against metal Heard all ‘round the arena.
Blood starts to ooze from the wound Where is it coming from? A terrible wound in the back. The Knight with the Black and Gold colors Has been hit.
The man in the Red and Green colors, Goes in for the final blow, As the Knight tries to regain his balance. Red and Green draws his sword in the air, Slashes through the wind, Twirling his body to gain momentum, And as the Knight stumbles to the ground, Red and Green slices the Knight In the ribs.
The Knight immediately hits the ground As if the whole story unfolded in slow motion. The Knights’ boy runs to him, Checks for any sign of life. Life has been drained from this Knight On this Crisp, Autumn day.
“I’ve been writing poetry and short stories since the first grade. Fantastical tales of Great beasts, far off lands, and anything in between. Writing is a passion and I could not live without it. I hope to publish a book of poetry all about the heart in the near future.”
-Julia Randall beestillmyheart.wordpress.com
Michelle Sarkisian - Vintage Garden Designs Lovemarythequeen.com
Laid-back American restaurant offering breakfast and lunch daily.
Monday thru Friday 8:00a - 2:30p | Saturday 8:00a - 1:30p | Sunday 9:00a - 1:30p
luckyscafeworcester.com
WHERE IN WORCESTER? The first person to email the correct answer to punkcakealternoart@gmail.com gets a free Punkcake T-Shirt!
Every time Punkcake folks get together, the creative ideas fly about and before you know it, we’ve got a new activity or event going on. Here are some ideas that we’re going to try to squeeze into 2017: Do any of these look interesting to you? Yeah? email punkcakealternoart@gmail.com or follow Punkcake Alterno Art facebook.com/punkcakealternoart and on Instagram @punkcakealternoart
Jovan Fernandez IG: @jovan1992