Hooligan Mag began as a project to celebrate community, and we have grown into a collective of artists and thinkers who believe in reinventing the norm by normalizing the alternative.
Over five years ago, Morgan Martinez felt rejected by larger publications and disagreed with their disingenuous approach to choosing who and what they showcased. She and I decided to join forces and create Hooligan Magazine. Both artists ourselves, we set out to celebrate the people that directly inspired us: those who made up our communities. With Morgan’s self-taught design and photo practice and my background in writing and curating, Hooligan functions as a deeply personal process that stems from a passion for creating, storytelling and critical thought -- and being a platform for artists who continue to shift the paradigms and structures in which we live under.
While we act as both an online and print publication, we are also a collective that hosts and curates public events. We are intrinsically tied to the DIY art community by being hands-on, contributing members. Hooligan provides oftentimes marginalized artists with URL and IRL platforms through interviews and reviews on the website and in individual issues, performance showcases and variety shows and Hooligan sponsored live conversations and artist talks.
Hooligan hangouts
When the pandemic started, we started a series called #HooliganHangouts on IG Live, which included conversations, literary performances and stripped down musical sets. Each Hangout had a corresponding organization (of the artist’s choice) that we took donations for. It was our way of responding to the pandemic by celebrating community in a time of deep peril.
Hooligan Hangouts has evolved into a live conversation series that celebrates the artist in their entirety by exploring their many passions. Whether we’re getting five minute insights into the artists’ interests or having an hour-long show getting to know them, it’s our way of showcasing the multitude of being a creator.
In 2022, Chicago Athletic Association offered us a year long residency, which allows us to host monthly events in different venues within the building. This is the current in person home of Hooligan Hangouts. You can listen to recordings here and watch clips here.
Featured guests (in order of image):
Kaina Castillo, Akenya, Quinn Christopherson, Rivkah Reyes, Lucy Dacus, Damon Williams and Steenz.
hooligan mag showcase
In December 2018, we hosted a sold out showcase at Schuba’s, featuring Aaliyah Allah, Lulu Be., Akenya and Melissa Lozada-Oliva, with Jaboukie Young-White as our surprise special guest.
hooligan mag art collectives
From 2014 - 2019, we held 5 yearly anniversary celebrations. These events consisted of live performances featuring poetry, music, comedy and an array of art vendors. The last two art collective events were 10 hour days, where we had two different sets of vendors and ongoing entertainment, including people painting nails, styling hair, giving tarot readings, cooking + selling dumplings and so much more. COVID prevented us from continuing this iconic mini fest, but we have high hopes we’ll get back to it one day.
Artists that have performed at the Hooligan Mag Art Collective:
Tasha, Mykele Deville, Mal Blum, Mothers, Lora Mathis, Alison Ogunmokun, Kaina Castillo, Macseal, Ratboys, Keisa Reynolds, Rosie Accola, Raych Jackson, José Olivarez, Loona Dae, Jasmine Barber, Akenya and many more.
