Intrepid Press

There are, I think, decidedly few artistic publications whose mascot is a sock monkey, and whose issue titles (and concurrent themes) have spanned everything from purple cows to going green.

There are probably even fewer that have as auspicious a mission statement as providing "a platform for creative young people to share their vision of the world" in concurrence with the quirkiness mentioned above.

Intrepid Press is a 'zine (the word being adapted from "magazine," but, in particular, meaning an independent production usually a bit smaller than a mainstream magazine) for young artists — writers, poets, photographers, graphic artists — anyone who can make something that can be printed on a page.

The first thing you need to know about Intrepid Press is that it was not simply started to get kids off the street or keep them out of trouble. That may be a beneficial side effect, but it really exists to furnish a vehicle for young people to convey their ideas, their art, their "vision of the world."

So it should come as no surprise that if you're looking for an activity where your kids are kept busy by sharp-eyed taskmasters, Intrepid Press is not the place to take them.

If someone just comes out to submit a little work and spends the rest of the day lounging, that's fine (and fairly common). Even showing up just to hang out is perfectly welcome. Either way, no one is ever forced to produce.

It's all about creativity and freedom of expression, which is the second thing one should know about Intrepid Press. The staff at Intrepid (who are all also young artists and contributors to the 'zine) are a friendly, helpful bunch, but they aren't going to interfere with your work unless you ask them.

Everyone's creations are her or his own, and that is expected to carry over to everyone who comes in: No one tries to correct or fix anyone else's work — unless they're editing, and then they make sure to clear any changes with the creator.

Perhaps most importantly, nobody tells anyone else how to do his or her work. Everyone has a different creative process, and there's really no wrong way to go about creating.

And that is what Intrepid Press is all about: taking young people in their off-the-wall, crazy, juvenile state and letting them create whatever they want. More often than not, the result is beautiful.

Youth aged 16 to 23 can submit work to Intrepid Press by coming in to Amicus Books on any Saturday between 1 and 5 p.m. for the Intrepid Press workshops. These are the core of the Intrepid experience, though you can also submit work online by e-mailing it to intrepidpress@amicusbooks.com. But if you choose to submit digitally, you will miss out on all the resources afforded by Intrepid, including typewriters, real clip art, the ability to create your own page boards — and cheese.

For those too old or not old enough to submit their work, you can still enjoy Intrepid. Issues are available for free at Amicus Books and a few other Yuba-Sutter establishments, including the Yuba County Library, Cakes By Request, Clark Ave. Coffees and Friday Night Live.

One-year subscriptions to the 'zine are available for a donation of $20 by mailing your name, address and a check or money order to Amicus Books, 413 D St., Marysville, CA 95901, or by PayPal at intrepidpress.com.

TAKE UP THE QUILL

What: Intrepid Press

Where: Amicus Books Literary Arts Center, 413 D St., Marysville

When: Every Saturday, 1 to 5 p.m.

Cost: Free

Click: intrepidpress.com

Contact Summer Kids correspondent Justin Weeks at 741-2400 or sbenitez@appealdemocrat.com.