ABOUT
TRASH MAG was established in 2016 as a passion project and adopted by Sara Ghassemzadeh and Bergen Flom in 2017. Currently based in Los Angeles, Boston, and everywhere online, TRASH MAG’s platform has grown significantly and turned into something much bigger than the two friends could’ve ever imagined. Through all of life’s transitions, only one thing has stayed the same: TRASH MAG. In an urge to make space for people to question and process topics surrounding power, privilege, self-identity and representation, the two have produced many print issues featuring submissions from around the world. To get folks to exist in community with each other, the two also design music and gallery events in cities around the United States.
OUR VALUES.
Independence
Empathy
Vulnerability
Community
Representation
THE TEAM.
Co-Founder
Sara Ghassemzadeh
Sara is a queer Persian artist in Pasadena. She is studying Sociology with the intention of pursuing social work. With a background in mental illness and substance abuse recovery, she believes that art can be used as a form of therapy. Sara is passionate about authentic human connection and community organization which she has been able to foster through TRASH MAG. Sara is committed to creating a platform for all experiences to be seen and heard. When she's not curating content, you can find her reading tarot with her black cat, Noir.
Co-Founder
Bergen Flom
Bergen is an artist and creative from Minneapolis currently living in SF. She recently graduated with a self-designed bachelor’s degree in Design & Social Entrepreneurship and minor in Gender Studies. Now, she works at ad agency, Carmichael Lynch, as a brand strategist. Bergen is passionate about representation in the media and empathetic community building. When she isn’t putting her heart and soul into her baby, TRASH MAG, she’s probably somewhere sniffing a sweet flower or taking a silly little walk for her mental health.
Editor-in-Chief
Ally M. Lardner
Ally is a Korean-American writer based in Los Angeles. She studied theatre, psychology, and English at Boston College, and currently works on a soap opera. She is a detail-oriented arts leader and media coordinator who’s passionate about complicated women, media literacy, and correct usage of the Oxford comma. When she isn’t scrolling through TRASH MAG’s feed or reading a book, she’s usually listening to a Taylor Swift song or writing a play. IG: @allymlardner.
Managing Editor
Corinne Davidson
Corinne is an Asian American journalist and photographer based in Boston. She grew up in the California Bay Area and studies journalism at Boston University. Corinne has been involved with journalism since her junior year of high school and has since written for her college newspapers and other news publications. She loves finding stories, going to events, and interviewing people. When she isn't writing or editing stories you can find Corinne out taking photos, going on adventures with her friends, and making oddly specific Spotify playlists. You can find her posting endless pictures of herself and her friends on @abowlofcurry and her photography on @curryphotoalbum on Instagram.
Managing Editor
CJ Martires
CJ is a Filipina Sagittarius artist of many mediums studying illustration and creative writing in Southern California. When she's not in the art studio or her local coffee shops sipping on her iced matcha oat milk latte, she likes to plan outfits for events months in advance, make jewelry with friends, and read poetry. CJ is an advocate for representation and vulnerability in the creative space, as she ties these themes in her own art. With themes surrounding mental health, AAPI representation, and grief, CJ's goal is to create art for audiences that she wishes her younger self had as a child. You can catch her posting too many mirror selfies @cjmartires or on her poetry and art account, @blankmelodies.