Category: art

  • 1/23 Show & Tell: Blonde Bombastic, Frankie Lyne | Opening & Reading

    Quimby’s Show & Tell
    Blonde Bombastic
    Art Opening and Talk by Frankie Lyne
    Comics Reading by Frankie Lynn, Gren Bee, and J.E Paeth
    Friday, January 23rd, 2026 – 6:30 PM

    Show runs through Sunday February 8th
    in-person at Quimby’s Bookstore 1854 W. North Ave Chicago, IL 60622

    Blonde Bombastic features the work of Frankie Lyne [ they/them ] centered around Marie a 50’s does 70’s heroine who’s incredible outfits, glamorous looks, and bad news boyfriend Simon keep her just ahead of the dire consequences of her full on sex-and-drugs rock and roll lifestyle.

    Featuring a full wall of plush cheetah print, blow ups of the original art, process work, Risograph prints, and bejeweled safety pin bound risograph zines, Blonde Bombastic will be on view at Quimby’s Friday Jan 16 – Sunday February 8th.

    On Friday, January 23rd, at 6:30 Frankie will be joined by friends Gren Bee and J.E Paeth for a artist talk and reading.

    Frankie Lyne [ they/them ] is a recent School of the Art Institute Chicago graduate, comics creator, and musician. Their comics and zines include Supercvnt, Simon and Marie, Death of Marie, Devout, Vive La Vie MoonStride, Alter Ego, and Starr Ramone.

    Frankie sells comics and zines at Quimby’s Bookstore, Chicago Comics, and Howling Pages. They are also published in SAIC’s Mouth Magazine and have run Starr Ramone in F News since 2021.

    –.- ..- .. — -… -.– .—-. …

    Register for the Event

    Your generous donation directly supports artist honorariums and ensures the continuation of this program. We are so grateful for your support of local creators, Quimby’s Bookstore, and DIY culture—we truly couldn’t do it without you!

    Pay what you can afford in person or via Venmo.
    Suggested: $10
    Venmo: @quimbysbookstore
    Please include “Show & Tell” in the note!

    Your generous donation directly supports artist honorariums and ensures the continuation of this program. We are so grateful for your support of local authors, publishers, creators, Quimby’s Bookstore, and DIY culture—we truly couldn’t do it without you!

  • Quimby’s Show & Tell: Rachel Hays of Taxonomy Press, 7/17

    Quimby’s Show & Tell: Rachel Hays of Taxonomy Press
    Thursday, July 17, 2025 – 6:30 PM
    in-person at Quimby’s Bookstore
    1854 W. North Ave Chicago, IL 60622

    Register to attend Show & Tell: Rachel Hays of Taxonomy Press

    Join Detroit-based printmaker and publisher Rachel Hays of Taxonomy Press for an evening of visual storytelling and reflection on sustaining a creative press practice. In this Show & Tell session, Rachel will share recent work and guide us through the systems, collaborations, and small habits that help her keep going as she navigates the shift to full-time independent publishing.

    Expect an honest, low-key conversation about the creative process, risograph printing, and staying grounded outside the algorithm. Perfect for anyone curious about zines, small press life, or slow, intentional ways of making.

    ——

    Suggested donation: $10
    Venmo: @quimbysbookstore
    Please include “Show & Tell” in the note!

    Your generous donation directly supports artist honorariums and ensures the continuation of this program. We are so grateful for your support of local authors, publishers, creators, Quimby’s Bookstore, and DIY culture—we truly couldn’t do it without you!

  • Political comix FTW!

    As disorienting as World events have been in recent years since forever, it’s never too late to educate ourselves on the corrupt and violent actions, ideologies and laws created by those in power. Learning about social justice movements grown from the past is a great way to learn how marginalized groups of people fought and died for their rights and the rights of future generations.

    Comics, especially political comics, are a great way to tell our stories and read about tough subjects in an easily digestible format. I recently discovered World War 3 Illustrated here at Quimby’s! World War 3 Illustrated is a political comic anthology series founded by Seth Tobocman and Peter Kuper in 1979 in New York City.  This radical comics anthology showcases artists and activists sharing personal and collective struggles of disenfranchised groups all over the world with beautiful, lighthearted, and at times, haunting artwork in the form of poetry, comics, protest posters, and essays. Check out these much needed latest editions of World War 3 Illustrated (#53 and #54), which highlight the importance of fighting for our collective rights to ensure we have a future on this planet:

    World War 3 Illustrated #54, aka World War 3 Now? published by AK Press

    This urgent collection focuses on the current war and genocide in Palestine, as well as the alarming destruction of the planet due to climate change. I learned about Campamento Carey, a group of land defenders protecting wildlife from the development of property by Americans who moved to Puerto Rico for huge tax break incentives. Each piece in this book is a wake up call for humanity, made thoughtfully and lovingly by activists and artists all over the World. Highly recommended!

    World War 3 Illustrated #53, My Body Our Rights published by AK Press

    Published in 2023, months after Roe V. Wade was overturned by the US Supreme Court, this outstanding collection of rageful comix touches on reproductive rights, access to safe abortions, and the difficulties trans and non-binary folks face while navigating the medical system. My Body, Our Rights is relevant as ever as we see an uptick in deaths in states where abortions are outlawed. It’s infuriating to know the US government is sliding backwards as medical technology advances. We should all have autonomy over our bodies, our lives, and our rights as portrayed in this radical anthology. 

    It’s easy to feel despair during these times, but we need to take action and fight for a better world as generations before us have. I leave you with an inspiring quote from the late Diane di Prima, author of Revolutionary Letters (also recommended)!

    Revolutionary Letter #8 — Dionne Elizabeth

     

    <3 Angel

    @angel.xoxoxoxox

  • April Window Artist-In-Residence Bianca Xunise!

    Calling all punk city rats! Check out these amazing banners in our window by our April artist-in-residence, Chicago-based cartoonist Bianca Xunise! We could not love them more! Bianca will be here to celebrate the release of their book Punk Rock Karaoke on Saturday, April 27th at 3:30pm when they’ll be in in conversation by director, producer and author Jessica Hopper and on Independent Bookstore Day nonetheless!



    Bianca Xunise’s work primarily focuses on the plight, joy, and daily struggles of misfits within the black community. In 2017 Xunise earned an Ignatz for Promising New Talent for their comic Say Her Name, an autobiographical story of police brutality and social justice. In 2020 Xunise earned their second Ignatz for their contribution to Be Gay, Do Comics published by IDW. Xunise has collaborated with Vogue, The Washington Post, The Nib, and Believer Magazine. They are also a contributor to the book How We Fight Supremacy: A Field Guide to Black Resistance along with Ta-Nehisi Coates, Tarana Burk, and Harry Belafonte. Bianca became the first nationally syndicated non-binary cartoonist when they joined the comic strip Six Chix in 2020 as their first black creator. More info at https://linktr.ee/biancaxunise

    Poster for event by Casoline Cash.

  • Zine Club Chicago: Zine Valentines Hangout, Jan. 20th!

    A red-and-blue infographic flyer, with an image of several vintage valentines and text that reads: “Zine Club Chicago: Zine Valentines Hangout; In Person! Free!; Quimby’s Bookstore, 1854 W. North Ave.; www.quimbys.com; 3 p.m. Saturday, January 20, 2024”

    Zine Club Chicago: Zine Valentines Hangout!
    3 p.m. Saturday, January 20, 2024
    Quimby’s Bookstore, 1854 W. North Ave.
    Free!

    Zine Club Chicago is kicking off the season of love in all its incarnations with a heart-shaped invitation: Come make zine valentines with us about your self-publishing passions!

    We want you to pour your admiration for your favorite zinemakers, most beloved art supplies (who doesn’t love a long-arm stapler?), or whatever else you adore about DIY culture into the pages of a mini zine. We’ll also have postcard supplies on hand so you can send a sweet note to our out-of-town zine pals.*

    Please join us at Zine Club Chicago: Zine Valentines Hangout at 3 p.m. Saturday, January 20 here at our shop. Free!

    We’ll provide zinemaking supplies, blank postcards, and snacks. Zine Club Chicago is a mask-supportive environment; we’ll have masks available if you’d like to wear one.

    *Out-of-town friends, Zine Club Chicago would love to pair you up with a zine pen pal! Fill out this Google form by 10 p.m. CT Tuesday, Jan. 16 if you’d like to receive a postcard from our in-person event: tiny.cc/ZCCZineValentines2024

    Zine newbies and longtime enthusiasts alike are always welcome at Zine Club Chicago. This free monthly event series is produced by Cynthia E. Hanifin and sponsored by Quimby’s Bookstore. Anna Jo Beck designs our monthly flyers, created our logo, and made our Zine Club Chicago Shout-Outs site, where folks can peruse and recommend zines we’ve discussed at our events.

    Facebook event link here. More info on the Zine Club Chicago social media channels: @zineclubchicago

    Image description: A red-and-blue infographic flyer, with an image of several vintage valentines and text that reads: “Zine Club Chicago: Zine Valentines Hangout; In Person! Free!; Quimby’s Bookstore, 1854 W. North Ave.; www.quimbys.com; 3 p.m. Saturday, January 20, 2024”

  • QuimBurger Celebration, Oct 28th

    Everybody knows if Halloween falls on a weekday you do your partying the Saturday before. 2023 is no exception (especially because we’re closed on Tuesdays anyways). So join us all day on Saturday, October 28th from noon to 6pm while we transform Quimby’s into QuimBurger, with special themed merchandise and activities (and of course, candy).

    No, we won’t have hamburgers and fries, but we will be selling a super special secret thing you can only get at Quimby’s, inspired by our newest window display! Chicago artist/writer/Meanwhile reading series organizer/fast food aficionado Megan Kirby transformed our front window into a vision of greasy fast food, inspired by Chris Ware’s store logo. We’re big fans of Megan’s work around these part, from her works like Another Day In Paradise and Coffee Spoons, to her pieces in the Chicago Reader, we are thrilled to have her art in our window! We’ll have some themed things to buy related to the QuimBurger theme we’ll surprise you with that day.

    And since it’s the spooky season, we have to pay our tributes to the energies from beyond the veil. And that is why we’ll have tarot readings by Echo from 3-6pm! Echo has been reading tarot cards for decades. She uses tarot as a mind-opening tool, a method for helping us see more, a path illuminator. Find her on the internet at @fraulein_echo + echothehuman.com.

     

  • Zine Club Chicago Online: The Business of DIY — Conversation With Jenna Blazevich of Vichcraft, Tues. Oct 17th

    Zine Club Chicago Online: The Business of DIY —
    A Conversation with Jenna Blazevich of Vichcraft
    7:30 p.m. CT Tuesday, October 17 on the Quimby’s YouTube channel
    Free!

    This month, Zine Club Chicago is excited to welcome Jenna Blazevich of Vichcraft for a conversation about the business of DIY! Jenna, a local artist and chainstitcher, has channeled her DIY passions into one of Chicago’s most inventive independent businesses.

    Want to know more about the nuts and bolts of making a living with your art while expressing your DIY values, building an indie business from the ground up, and forging successful partnerships with other creative folks? Jenna will discuss all this and more — including how her secondhand risograph printer was a major score — in conversation with Zine Club Chicago producer Cynthia E. Hanifin.

    Please join us for Zine Club Chicago Online: The Business of DIY — A Conversation with Jenna Blazevich of Vichcraft at 7:30 p.m. CT Tuesday, Oct. 17 on the Quimby’s Bookstore YouTube channel. No need to RSVP – just head over to YouTube.com/QuimbysBookstore.

    Do you have questions for Jenna? Please email them to us in advance at zineclubchicago@gmail.com or join the YouTube chat during the event to take part in the Q&A segment of the discussion.

    Vichcraft recently collaborated with us to create some special merch for our 32nd anniversary! You can check out the limited-edition t-shirt and more here: Quimby’s x Vichcraft

    Vichcraft is the independent and collaborative, multi-disciplinary studio of Jenna Blazevich.

    Since being founded in 2015, Vichcraft has steadily been building a collection of social-issue driven projects made with various tactile handcraft mediums. Currently there is a focus on creating embroidery work using a 100 year old hand-cranked machine, lettering design collaborations with socially-conscious companies, and conceptual stained glass.

    Vichcraft strives to work right around the line between art, craft, and design to create historically-informed work that provokes new ways of thinking.

    Zine newbies and longtime enthusiasts alike are always welcome at Zine Club Chicago, the city’s only book club-style event for people who read zines. This free monthly series is produced by Cynthia E. Hanifin and sponsored by Quimby’s Bookstore. Anna Jo Beck designs our monthly flyers, created our logo, and made our Zine Club Chicago Shout-Outs site, where folks can peruse and recommend zines we’ve discussed at our events.

    Facebook link here. More info on the Zine Club Chicago social media channels: @zineclubchicago

    Image description: A red-blue-and-grey infographic flyer with a photo of Jenna Blazevich of Vichcraft holding one of her birds, a background featuring photos of several of Vichcraft’s designs, and text that reads: “Zine Club Chicago: The Business of DIY Edition — A Conversation With Jenna Blazevich of Vichcraft; Online! Free! More info on quimbys.com; 7:30 p.m. CT Tuesday, Oct. 17, 2023; YouTube.com/QuimbysBookstore”

  • Quimby's 32nd Anniversary T-Shirt Celebration Featuring Vichcraft Live Chainstitching, Sat, Sep 30th

    Wahoo! Quimby’s is turning 32!*

    To help us celebrate Chicago gem of a printer and chainstitcher Vichcraft (aka Jenna Blazevich) has designed some new merch for us to premiere at A LIVE CHAINSTITCHING EVENT HERE AT QUIMBY’S ON SATURDAY, SEPT 30TH from 6-9pm! She designed a spanking new Quimby’s t-shirt that is BEAUTIFUL (trust us) we’ll be debuting at this event. And we’ll be unveiling some other unexpected merch too — but we don’t want to spoil the surprise!

    Vichcraft will be on hand with her 80-year-old Cornely machine to chainstitch a variety of items, including felt pennants and other things for sale. For a fee, she can customize items, so bring your stuff you want to have personalized.*

    Vichcraft is the multi-disciplinary design studio run by Jenna Blazevich in Chicago, Illinois since 2015. Find her at https://vichcraft.shop/ and on IG: @vichcraft

     

    View this post on Instagram

     

    A post shared by Jenna Blazevich (@vichcraft)

     

     

    View this post on Instagram

     

    A post shared by Jenna Blazevich (@vichcraft)

    Here’s the Facebook event invite if you want it!

    *Our actual anniversary is September 15th! This event is not actually on the 15th! But you should buy us a birthday cake on that day anyway. Happy birthday, us!

    *Here are helpful hints about what materials are ideal for your customized chainstitched item!:

    Ideal items:

    Woven fabrics: Canvas, Denim, linen
    Crewnecks or sweatshirt type knits
    Beanies
    Bandanas

    Materials to avoid:

    Thin knit fabrics (tee shirts)
    Loosely knit fabrics (sweaters, scarves)
    Items with sherpa linings or excessive batting

     

    View this post on Instagram

     

    A post shared by Jenna Blazevich (@vichcraft)

     

    View this post on Instagram

     

    A post shared by Jenna Blazevich (@vichcraft)

  • billy woods & m. musgrove sign A is for Anarchist: An ABC for Activists 7/29

    A is for Anarchist: An ABC for Activists is a a sardonic spin on the ABC book, a sharp knife in a drawer full of safety scissors.

    Wryly written by critically acclaimed rapper billy woods and sublimely illustrated by artist m. musgrove, A is for Anarchist upends the traditional ABC format with earnestness that belies its irreverence. Anarchist takes modest ideas, like E is for Energy and G is for Ghosts, and flips them into incisive commentary on modern life and the state of the world. Also, it has to be the only alphabet book with annotated footnotes and a Nas reference.

    woods is a writer, rapper, and father who needed something cool to read to his children. The child of a Jamaican intellectual and a Zimbabwean revolutionary, woods’s childhood spent between the U.S., Africa, and the West Indies leaves its imprint on all his work.

    musgrove is a Brooklyn-based painter, illustrator, and amateur animator. She is inspired by Wimmen’s Comix, William Morris, and tumult.

    billy woods & m. musgrove

    sign A Is For Anarchist

    Quimby’s Bookstore

    1854 W. North Ave, Chicago

    Sat, July 29th, 2pm

    Facebook event invite here.

  • Spring Window Display Has Sprung

     

    View this post on Instagram

     

    A post shared by Quimbys Bookstore (@quimbysbookstore)

    Check out our new window display!