Gathered in this zine is the writing and artwork created by participants of DSTL Arts’ Conchas y Café creative writing workshop series for adults ages 30+. Through poetry and short fiction, to drawings and photo composition, these workshops empower participants as the artists they are, helping them develop new skills in storytelling.

The theme for this Conchas y Café Zine; Volume 2, Issue 4, is Freedom. Freedoms and liberties come at a cost. And sometimes they never come at all. Collected here are the thoughts and realities of our participants. Collected here is real reflection on what “Freedom” means. For some, it’s a criticism of our society, while for others it’s a criticism of oneself. Freedom comes in many forms, and we encourage you all to find it for yourself.