Hoffman Estates — The Hoffman Estates Arts Commission on Saturday held its inaugural Zine Fest at the Chambray Library, showcasing more than 20 local vendors and a slate of self‑published creators, organizers said.

Beth Schneider, a member of the Hoffman Estates Arts Commission, opened the event and described a Zine Fest as “a self publishing event where anyone who creates anything artistic … they self publish it and then they exhibit it.” Schneider said about four zinesters were scheduled to read selections for attendees and other exhibitors during the afternoon program.

Organizers credited the Chambray Library with substantial support in staging the event. The festival featured a mix of writers, cartoonists, character artists and small‑press creators working in fiction, nonfiction and visual art, and the Arts Commission said the initiative began planning last year.

Local groups used the event to promote small presses and writing communities. “We are the Lonely Writers Club,” one representative said, describing the group’s zine and its “Slam Shop,” which combines slam poetry, writing critique and an opportunity for contributors to be published in a future edition. Other zine clubs and contributors provided social‑media handles for follow‑up and community outreach.

Exhibitors described a variety of goods on sale, including prints, stickers and handcrafted items. One creator told attendees about a character they developed during a difficult time in school, noting the personal origins behind the merchandise. Artist Hannah, an exhibitor at the festival, described her comics and a preview of a graphic novel, and explained risograph printing as a hybrid of screen printing and photocopying “known for its big vibrant colors.” She provided an Instagram handle (greenandwiggly) and a website (greenandwiggly.com) for people who wanted to see more of her work.

Schneider thanked volunteers and attendees and said the idea for the festival was brought to the commission by a commissioner who had previously exhibited at a zine fest. She announced plans to make the Hoffman Estates Zine Fest an annual event and invited residents interested in serving on the Arts Commission or volunteering for future events to visit hoffmanestatesarts.com. The Arts Commission also referenced its summer concert series and a gallery on display at Village Hall as other ways the commission engages the community.

The festival continued through the afternoon with vendor tables, readings and opportunities for attendees to meet creators and purchase work.