We are excited to announce a new partnership between NYC Salt and the Center for Book Arts (CBA)! As the oldest non-profit dedicated to promoting and uplifting book arts as a contemporary art form, CBA serves as a vibrant platform for creative exploration. Through exhibitions, workshops, and artist-led initiatives, CBA empowers artists to push the boundaries of storytelling through printed matter.

This past spring, NYC Salt students participated in the Teen Zine Pilot—a 6 week collaborative program taught in partnership with Calipso Press, the CBA team, and guided by NYC Salt staff and mentors. Throughout the workshop, NYC Salt staff and mentors led students through the narrative development, sequencing, and editing process, helping them shape their stories and refine their visual storytelling. Students then learned to design and produce their own sequenced, softcover zines using risograph printing, a colorful and tactile printmaking technique beloved by independent artists and zine creators. At the end of the program, each student walked away with 20 copies of their zine, a deeper understanding of visual storytelling, and new skills in book arts and design.

From camera to risograph, this collaboration exemplifies the power of community-driven arts education and the many ways young artists can express their voices in print.

A special thank you to Richard and Ronnie Grosbard for sponsoring this incredible opportunity.

We invite you to explore the amazing zines our students created below!

August Moreno

“Growing up, I was always surrounded by art and artists. Whether it was music, fine art in galleries or museums, theaters, or movies. I feel fortunate to have found something that drives me every day. Through photography, I’ve found the ability to see things in a more intimate form.”

Chloe Zhou

“Chloe’s Comp Card is a layered visual collage — part fashion design, part photographic fever dream, part sketchbook chaos. It’s not about clean lines or tidy categories. It’s about process, experimentation, and the in-between.”

Jordan Martinez

“Jordan Martinez, New York-based artist, had a passion for art ever since he stepped foot on this earth…His work reflects everyday people and the daily occurrences of life. Jordan enjoys bringing out the colors of his work because he believes that it brings out the realness in humanity.”

Michelle Osorio

“Through photography I’m naturally able to express my creative nature. Whether it’s for practical or artistic purposes, It can serve not only me but others. My book is a collection of stories diving into the life of young women. It shines a light on the delicacy behind that time period. As a 17 year old experiencing a change into yound adulthood, it’s safe to say I know what i’m talking about!”

Noah Kato-Samuel

“Nothing Felt Sharp is about the blur of memory and emotion—how pain, uncertainty, and reflection often come without clean edges. Printed in risograph, the images embrace imperfection as a way to show that not everything needs to be fully defined.”

Oliver Rothman-Cimino

“My Little Underground is a story told through texture, and contrast. This book aims to capture the strangely uniform griminess of New York City.”

Teaching Artists & Partners:

Richard Grosbard
Richard Grosbard is a dedicated arts supporter and advocate for youth education. As a sponsor and mentor for this project, Richard played a pivotal role in making the Teen Zine Pilot possible. His commitment to empowering young artists and fostering creative opportunities was instrumental in the program’s success. Richard’s guidance and encouragement inspired students to fully engage in the creative process and bring their unique voices to print.

Eva Parra
Eva Parra is a researcher, educator, and printer with deep expertise in the book arts. As a member of the curatorial collective Indisciplinadas, she has developed exhibitions such as No Room for Books and Soft [Cover] Revolution. Eva is also the co-founder of Calipso Press, a printing studio, publishing label, and artistic collective established in 2015. For this project, Eva led students through the risograph printing process and shared her knowledge of independent publishing and zine-making.

Grace McNally
Grace McNally (Salt class of 2020) is a multidisciplinary creative who is passionate about building community through art. Specializing in self-portraiture, Grace works as a photographer, art director, and producer, and explores a variety of creative expressions, including zine-making, claymation, and poetry. She is also the creator of Notyamama’s Cooking, a show celebrating family, culture, and the immigrant experience through food. In this project, Grace managed the class and assisted students in printing on the Risograph and creative experimentation, drawing from her experience as a Salt alumna and Zine publisher.

Alicia Hansen
Alicia Hansen is the Founder and CEO of NYC Salt, bringing an extensive background in photojournalism, picture editing, and production. Alicia oversaw the entire project, worked closely with students to edit their work, and provided guidance on narrative development and sequencing, helping students shape their stories from concept to final zine.

Corina Reynolds
Corina Reynolds is the Executive Director of the Center for Book Arts in New York City. At CBA, she has focused on connecting artists across distance and time through a diverse range of exhibitions, panels, conferences, and classes. For this collaboration, Corina facilitated the partnership and provided insight into the broader field of book arts, supporting both students and teaching artists throughout the program.