by Amarys Dejai & Genny Wood
Sovenance is the theme of Glaze's 10th volume, defined as “the ability of the mind to store and recall past sensations, thoughts, and knowledge.” With this publication milestone, we recall the history of Glaze: origins, trials and tribulations, moments, people, and places.
The original Editor-in-Chief & Creative Director, Tara Bhikha (she/they), founded Glaze, formerly known as Musée, in 2019 as a makeup-focused zine inspired by art history. Bhikha approached Mariam “Mars” Ali (she/her) and asked her to be her Assistant Creative Director. Together, they rounded up 10 friends and created their first volume. The pair ran the zine until 2021 when Bhikha handed off the title of Editor-in-Chief to Skyler Burk (she/her), originally Glaze’s Editorial Director, and Creative Director to Ali. Five years later, the zine has come far from its humble beginnings in the basement of Duren Hall on the University of Texas at Austin’s campus and has expanded in every way, shape, and form. Despite the zine’s centralized home base in Austin, contributors from across the country add to the zine's success each season.
HISTORY OF GLAZE
Glaze has now become a full-size print publication with over 150 contributors each volume, including makeup artists, writers, stylists, models, photographers, and creatives of all kinds. Every volume of the zine takes on a new theme with both new members, eager to make their marks, and returning members, seeking to showcase their talents. From the bright and serene theme of Halcyon to the darkness and mysteriousness of Akrasia, with every volume, the zine showcases new, original, and exciting work that consistently improves with every release.
Describing the early days of Glaze, Burk fondly remembers a small group of young artists looking for a creative outlet. Alongside Co-Editor-in-Chief Ali, Burk co-organized the zine’s first-ever shoot. “Mars came to me with a photo shoot idea, and I didn't think that it was going to be anything past that,” remembers Burk. “It was a one-off shoot in my brain. It was in the Duren basement in West Campus,” laughs Burk. “We've come a long way since then.”
Glaze team at the first release party, circa 2019
Co-editors burk and ali at vol. x release party, 2024After years of learning the ups and downs of zine publication on the fly, Ali describes her pride at the tremendous growth of Glaze: “You can see in all of our volumes how much we have improved as an organization, how much Skyler and I as people have improved in being able to lead this incredible team of talented creatives.”
Community-focused events at local venues, such as Cheer Up Charlie’s and Electric Church, further the zine’s commitment to local artistry. From jaw-dropping sword-swallowing sets to buzz-worthy band performances, these eclectic events allow Glaze contributors to celebrate their accomplishments while also connecting to Austin’s broader creative community. Ali highlights the significance of these soirées: “One of our biggest achievements at a Glaze event was during one of our Halloween parties — La Femme performed a set,” she explains. “I think it showed how much Glaze has expanded and how much recognition it’d gained to be able to book such a popular artist to perform at our event.”
The zine’s commitment to the community is the most integral part of its existence. Community Outreach Director Katrina Walters helms the department, working tirelessly to connect the zine with the community. From interviewing artists and activists to building connections with local organizations, Walters calls Community Outreach, “the heartbeat of Glaze, serving as the bridge between our publication and the diverse communities we aim to engage with and empower.”
Grassroots x Glaze, founded by Arjana Almaneih, is Community Outreach’s flagship activist program. Each year, the zine creates ties with local grassroots organizations that align with its mission of inclusivity, representation, and community action. Biannually, proceeds are donated to these organizations, supporting their efforts to create positive change locally. Walters touches on the importance of these community-building projects.
“One of the most rewarding aspects of my experience with Glaze has been witnessing the vibrant and inclusive community that we've cultivated,” she explains. “It's a testament to the dedication and hard work of everyone involved, from our contributors to our readers. Being part of something so special, where individuals come together to celebrate diversity, create art, advocate for social justice, and inspire positive change, is truly humbling.”
With these foundations of creative expression and community support firmly in place, the zine's future is bright. Looking to the release of Sovenance, Burk outlines her hopes for the ever-evolving zine: “My vision for Glaze is that we reach as many people as we can and grow the scale of it. I'd really like for us to have more teams all over the country and get more funding.”
Ali echoes Burk’s sentiment: “In the future, I see Glaze expanding more than it already has and being a real facet of the Austin creative community. I'm hoping that, eventually, Glaze will one day become a household name.”
Cheers to the wonderful Glaze family — here’s to 10 spectacular volumes, the growth of our community, and a prosperous future.
