BAD MILK PRESS

What lies at the outer fringe of our universe? Of our consciousness?

Fiction, in any artistic medium, provides us the opportunity to challenge or remove boundaries. It can force us to confront our reality and examine ourselves and our place in the world. Fantasy and science fiction are vehicles that we can use to morph, bend, and create society. They can drive us to explore questions that we have of our own existence. Though seeming unreal at first, these new realms that we dream up can turn science fiction into science fact. They can help us deepen our spirituality or awaken the magic within us.

For this is something borne out by the experiences of shamans and quantum physicists alike: What we imagine can manifest into reality.

The Feminist Union of Charlottesville Creatives (FUCC) is proud to present the third issue of MALA LECHE, a quarterly radical art zine featuring the work of women, non-binary, and genderqueer artists and writers from Central Virginia. The third issue entitled MALA LECHE #3: Window To Another Realm features the work of 18 artists and writers from the Central Virginia area.

The issue includes work of:

The theme and submission selection was curated by our special guest editor, Kori Price. Price is a writer, photographer, and engineer based in Charlottesville, Virginia. She is passionate about telling the stories of her community and within her work, seeks to maintain a balance between her technical and creative interests. Kori believes that fiction offers the framework for readers to imagine beyond their understanding of the world and themselves. She aims to create a body of work that will represent women and diverse people kicking ass, working through their challenges, and finding their path -- all while remaining true to themselves. One of her prose works, mama earth finds herself in a black woman’s body, was featured in our second issue of MALA LECHE. To learn more about Price and her work, check out her artist website or her Instagram (@koripricephotography).

We’re so excited to be able to share this issue with you and are thankful for such a wonderful opportunity to collaborate, connect, and support such a vast and talented local community of artists and writers.

READ THE ISSUE ONLINE:

I WANT A PHYSICAL COPY. WHERE DO I GET ONE?

MALA LECHE is made for print; therefore, the physical copies are limited edition and distribution will be quarterly. This page will house an archive of online editions (if you can’t get your hands on a physical copy).

You can snag a print copy of our MALA LECHE #3 at the following locations:

• RAD PRESS news stands outside The Bridge Progressive Arts Initiative (209 Monticello Rd, Charlottesville, VA 22902)

• McGuffey Art Center main desk (201 2nd Street NW, Charlottesville, VA 22902)

• Second Street Gallery (115 2nd Street SE, Charlottesville, VA 22902)

• Studio IX / JBird Coffee Supply (969 2nd St SE, Charlottesville, VA 22902)

• Visible Records (1740 Broadway St, Charlottesville, VA 22902)

WHAT IS MALA LECHE?

MALA LECHE is a quarterly radical art zine by The Feminist Union of C’ville Creatives. This zine will feature the art and writing of women, non-binary, and genderqueer artists and thinkers.

We believe that all art is inherently political and has the power to reshape society. We believe that in this time of separation, we have the opportunity to come together as never before. We believe that authentic creation is a radical act, even more so when it is shared with others. May this zine be a testament to our inevitable future, one without fascism, capitalism, and white supremacy.

In this time of physical separation, this zine creates an opportunity to collaborate and present our work outside of the gallery space in an impactful way. Making art is a revolutionary act - an act of confronting the world. Through artmaking, we assert and own our existence (who we are, where we came from, our ancestors that came before us…). MALA LECHE will be a tangible outlet for this, reflecting our own world and ideas. 

WHAT DOES “MALA LECHE” MEAN?

MALA LECHE is a Spanish colloquial expression that can be used two ways:

1. To define a person’s character, or to say someone is acting in bad faith (their milk is bad and shouldn’t be trusted.)

   • Este chico tiene muy mala leche, no te juntes con él. → This boy is very mean, don’t hang out with him.

2. Being pissed off (your milk has gone bad.) 

   • Julia está de mala leche porque se le rompió el coche. → Julia is in a bad mood because her car broke down.

We chose this title for our zine because we do not trust society’s milk, and we’re pissed about it.

SUPPORT MALA LECHE

MALA LECHE is a program within The Feminist Union of C’ville Creatives and is still in its infancy and requires the need of year-round community fundraising to support paying creative contributor stipends, labor in layout and production, printing and distribution costs, as well as organizing/coordinating in-person/virtual events around the release. If you are interested in supporting MALA LECHE and FUCC, please consider making a contribution via our donation portal. If you an organization interested in sponsoring an issue or sponsoring a part of the production process, please contact Sri & Ramona at heyfucc@gmail.com.

ARCHIVES OF MALA LECHE

MALA LECHE #2: Fever Dreams of Mother Earth | Second issue of MALA LECHE featuring 20 creatives: Rochelle Sumner, Kori Price, Jess (JD) Walters, Laura Josephine Snyder, Sam Gray, Barbara Shenefield, Seo Kelleher, Mihr Danae, Miranda Elliott-Rader, Ramona Martinez, Brielle DuFlon, Elizabeth Mayer, Lana Gentry, Audrey Parks, Dana Wheeles, Makaela Johansen, Kendall King, Mica Rose, Kate Boland, Meesha Goldberg, and Sri Kodakalla

MALA LECHE #1 | First issue of MALA LECHE featuring 13 creatives: Mariana Bell, Sunny:D, Jess Davis, Miranda Elliott-Rader, Meesha Goldberg, Sam Gray, Sri Kodakalla, Ramona Martinez, Tobiah Mundt, Allison Profeta, Guleer Shahab, Abigail Wilson, and one anonymous contributor

I WANT TO BE A PART OF MALA LECHE. HOW?

MALA LECHE is a quarterly zine and we open up for submissions 4 times a year. All women, nonbinary, and gender-queer creatives are welcome to submit to our open calls. Our fifth issue will have a call for submissions out in February 2022. Reach out via our contact page to join our newsletter to stay up to date on our next call for submissions.