APAture 2023: Outspoken, a Comics, Zines, & Illustrations Showcase

Submitted by the Event Organizer

Since 1999, Kearny Street Workshop’s (KSW) annual multi-disciplinary arts festival, APAture, has provided a platform for new and emerging Asian Pacific American artists in the San Francisco Bay Area. Established in 1972, KSW is one of the longest running Asian American arts organizations in the country, and from October 14 to November 4 they’ll be presenting the work of 50+ artists to over 1000 festival-goers in venues across San Francisco.

On Saturday October 21st from 12-3pm we’re presenting APAture’s Comics, Zines, & Illustration Showcase, “Outspoken”! This makers mini-fest speaks to the legacies of DIY artists and community building through storytelling and information sharing via zine-making & illustration. From prints to foldable zines, we showcase intimate self-portraits of artists in their whole being: ranging from the serious to the mundane. In this interactive showcase, we examine what lies behind the impulse to craft and who our artists continue to be in conversation with- while giving audience members a chance to share their own stories.

APAture features six showcases focusing on Comics, Zines, & Illustration, Film, Literary Arts, Music, Performing Arts, and Visual Arts. Each showcase is headlined by a featured artist and this year they include local rising hip-hop star, Son of Paper; 2023 Lambda Literary Award winner, Shelley Wong; 2023 San Francisco Drag King of the Year, King LOTUS BOY; and filmmaker, Adamu Chan, who will be presenting his acclaimed documentary, What these Walls Won’t Hold, about the Covid 19 outbreak in San Quentin prison.

This year APAture events will be taking place starting October 14 to November 4th at Arc Gallery & Studios, SF Oasis, Lion’s Den Lounge, and Yerba Buena Center for the Arts. For times, locations, and ticket information for APAture 2023, please visit www.kearnystreet.org/apature.

Presented by Kearny Street Workshop

Disclaimer: Please double check event information with the event organizer as events can be canceled, details can change after they are added to our calendar, and errors do occur.