Hi, adored pencil pushers, ink slingers, wordsmiths, and digital doodlers,
Ready for some more outreach? We had a fun time at Ave Maria Home in March with another visit due on Tuesday, April 14 3-5pm; and then Sunday, June 7, from 3-5pm we’ll gather at A. Schwab’s for a panel discussion about comics and a portfolio review! More details below, but please let me know if you can make it.
Stay ‘tooned to www.midsouthcartoonists.org and www.drawingfunny.com for more updates and information. You can also follow us at https://www.facebook.com/midsouthcartoonists/
Please share with your favorite comic friends and artists who might be interested in promoting cartoon as art!
Sincerely,
Kevin Williams,
MSCA President
DINNER GATHERING
On the first Tuesday, April 7, 2026, we will gather at Garibaldi’s Pizza, 3530 Walker Ave, by the University of Memphis, from 6 – 8 pm. Some of us show up a little earlier sometimes if you want to come early.
Bring art to show and money to buy food, and we look forward to seeing you again!
https://maps.app.goo.gl/3kRSvDH7tB7hbzJF9
CON CARDS BY GREG CRAVENS
The following night, March 4, you can hang with Greg Cravens and play some Con Cards at 6pm at 901 Games on Broad Ave. Are there prizes? Sounds like it…come find out for yourself!
Speaking of Greg…here’s a book he illustrated:
MLGW and WKNO’s “Teacher Teacher” Host Special Power League Storytime on March 19
Memphis Light, Gas and Water and WKNO’s “Teacher Teacher” joined forces for a special MLGW Power League Storytime on Thursday, March 19, at 11 a.m. at the Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library (3030 Poplar Ave.).
This exciting event was free to the public and featured the debut of the newest MLGW Power League superhero — DJ Current — a high-energy character designed to help children learn about the power of electricity and the energy all around us. DJ Current is the subject of a new children’s book that MLGW is releasing on the same day.
Families, educators and community members were encouraged to attend and meet DJ Current as he powers up learning in Memphis. Attendees enjoyed:
• A live reading featuring DJ Current
• Hands-on, interactive activities focused on energy education
• Fun giveaways and take-home activities (while supplies last)
MLGW’s Power League is a dynamic team of superheroes created to educate children and adults about important utility-related topics. The Power League engages the community through interactive, in-person school visits featuring customized vehicles with impactful messaging, along with activity books, electronic games and videos — all designed to make learning about utilities fun, engaging and memorable.
For more information, visit mlgw.com/community/schoolenrichment.
CLOWN BAR starring KASHIEF CRAIN
Have a seat in CLOWN BAR, where the drinks and the funny are flowing nightly for just two weeks! This unique play was written by Adam Szymkowicz and is directed by Julia Hinson. Got other bars to hop on the weekends? Catch our special Monday, April 6 performance.
Experience this wildly silly parody of crime noir set in the seedy underbelly of the clown world. Think “Who Framed Roger Rabbit” meets “The Maltese Falcon.”
To start the evening, the world of Clown Bar comes to life with a live variety show, featuring clown acts, specialty performances, and chaotic barroom flair. Select tickets include onstage café seating, placing you right inside Clown Bar itself. You won’t just watch the action … you’ll be part of the atmosphere.
TheatreWorks at The Square – 2085 Monroe Ave. Memphis, TN 38104
Invite your friends and get your tickets now! https://www.lonetreelive.com/clown-bar
Clown Bar is recommended for mature audiences because of stylized violence, adult language, and cartoonish criminal activity.
The audience is encouraged to dress as their own clown persona when coming to the Clown Bar!
OUTREACH
__________________________
AVE MARIA HOME
The residents have requested us back again, and we have scheduled the following dates. LET ME KNOW if you’re able to attend, please! Tuesday, April 14, 2026, and the location is:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/rgV6cYVaXRf6UchaA We will draw with the residents and it’s always fun, especially when they start sharing stories.
PLAYHOUSE ON THE SQUARE 48th ANNUAL ORIGINAL ART AUCTION
This fun event is going to feature art by friends and members of the MSCA, including Katie Jones, Dale Martin, Jim Palmer, and Lin Workman.
https://playhouseonthesquare.org/the-annual-original-art-auction
PANEL DISCUSSION AND PORTFOLIO REVIEW
Sunday, June 7, from 3-5pm we’ll gather at A. Schwab’s for a panel discussion about comics and a portfolio review. Gather by 2pm (so you have time to find parking). At 3pm we’ll begin the panel discussion about creating comics, and at 4pm we’ll begin portfolio reviews. LET ME KNOW if you’re able to attend, please! I would like to have at least 4 MSCA’ers there.
The location is here: https://maps.app.goo.gl/fDnA7fDYQgyjSxNr5 It’s a fantastic space!
BEALE STREET MONSTER CLUB
Beale Street Monster Club Presents: Bigfoot on Beale Vendor and Artist Tables
There will be a Bigfoot on Beale event in May! Check out the graphic below for tables and prices. Lin Workman, Ryan Ladner/Thrill Comics, and Monster Market will be set up there for this event.
Michael, the Monster Club Founder says:
Dear MSCA,
On May 16th, 2026, from 11AM – 6PM we will be hosting our Beale Street Monster Club Presents: Bigfoot on Beale event. At this event, we will have 10 artist and 11 vendor tables. We really want to support local artists and our friends who are a part of MSCA, so we would like to give you all the first opportunity at these tables. Attached is a PDF that contains all the information about the vendor tables sizes and cost. All proceeds go back into the event! If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to contact me.
Michael J. Cox
Founder
901-831-1376
MEMPHIS PUBLIC LIBRARY COMIC CON
This year, it has moved to the Raleigh Branch at 3452 Austin Peay Hwy, 38128, on May 30, 2026, from 10am – 3pm. Many of your fellow members will be set up, including an MSCA table. Please be sure to get me business cards, etc., if you haven’t so I can put that on our table.
https://www.memphislibrary.org/events/mpl-comic-con/
https://www.memphislibrary.org/comic-con-art-showcase-application/
MSCA ZINE ISSUE 14 – EDITOR ANYONE??
Is anyone interested in editing a new issue of The Good, The Bad, and The Sketchy? It would be great to have another issue done before the end of the year, or great way to start next year and the MSCA’s 40th anniversary.
MSCA Ads
We’re planning to create some little ashcan pass-outs to advertise the club a little more, along with a jam art piece to create a new postcard. This will include art from all of us! Please let me know if you’re interested in playing along – this will be a pretty simple process. We’ll also produce a new promo sticker design or two to celebrate the club’s birthday.
CONGRATULATIONS to our artists and friends who participated in Anchored in Hope Charity Art Auction at the Memphis Botanical Gardens: Katie Jones and Peter Melonas, Nancy Weirs and Violet Newbern!
BARTLETT BOOK BONANZA
The event happened on Saturday 3/28/2026.
Our members and friends were in attendance, including: Beth Alvarez, Matt Bowers, Andrew Chandler, Devin Hodges, Katie Jones, and Dale Martin.
2027 ART SHOW OPPORTUNITIES!
MEMPHIS BOTANIC GARDENS ART SHOW MARCH 2027? POSSIBILITY!!
LET ME KNOW who is interested in participating in an art exhibition at the Memphis Botanical Gardens in March 2027 (not 2026). I like Katie’s suggestion since their theme would be Cherry Blossoms, that would allow us a whole anime and manga them. Application deadline is March 1, 2026, so I would need to know who all is interested and how many pieces you would submit in order to send the details to them.
WKNO ART EXHIBITION – SEPTEMBER 2027
Mark it on your calendars! Thanks to Katie Jones, we have an upcoming art show in September 2027 in the lobby gallery of WKNO-TV. This show will be themed around literacy. Art will be collected at the September 7, 2027, Dinner Gathering.
COMICS FESTIVALS AND MORE – ADD TO YOUR CALENDAR
Katie Jones has been awesome enough to compile some extra information to share:
— Rogue’s Gallery Returns on June 27th at the venue! Rogue’s Gallery is now joining forces with the Midsouth Collectible Toy show! We have a guaranteed number of tables for the show itself. The Rogues this time are creating a special poster by the likes of K.f. Golden and badges by Shawn Howe. Tables are $50 each! Please contact Alex Moody at midsouthcollectibletoyshow@gmail.com for purchasing a table in the show and make sure to mention you are a part of Rogue’s Gallery!
Midsouth Collectible Toy Show also has additional shows this year happening in August and October. Contact Alex for additional information.
– Shelby County Star Trek Day is happening again this year on April 12th at Neil’s Music Room. Rogue’s Gallery Member’s Katie Jones, Matt Bowers, Shawn Howe, and April Lachell Browning will be present selling their art and wares for everyone.
– New Show dates and shows!
Memphis Monster Con and Midsouth Toyfest have moved to the Agricenter.
Memphis Monster Con is now happening November 21 and 22!
Midsouth Toyfest is December 5th!
ANIMATION Y’ALL
Happening April 10-12, 2026 at Lipscomb University in Nashville, TN: https://www.animationyall.com/
Schedules and guests are listed on the website.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
April 1, 2026, Comic Book Creators Club 3:30-5:30 pm (repeats on 4/8, 4/15, 4/27, 4/29)
https://memphis.librarycalendar.com/event/comic-book-creators-club-44765
April 7, 2026 – 6-8pm Dinner Gathering at Garibaldi’s Pizza, 3530 Walker Ave, Memphis, TN
April 10 – 12, 2026 – Animation Y’all, Lipscomb University, Nashville, TN
April 14, 2026 – 3-5pm – Ave Maria Home, drawing with residents https://maps.app.goo.gl/rgV6cYVaXRf6UchaA
April 28, 2026 – Katie Jones’ “Welcome to the McPromise-Land” art show will be presented simultaneously with the Playhouse on the Square presentation of “Jesus Christ Superstar” (the art show will run into late May 2026). It is in the same 2nd floor, west hall behind the balcony as the MSCA show was in 2025.
April 30, 2026, 2:30 – 3:30 pm, Whitehaven Library Comic Club https://memphis.librarycalendar.com/event/whitehaven-comic-club-34726
May 5, 2026 – 6-8pm Dinner Gathering at Garibaldi’s Pizza, 3530 Walker Ave, Memphis, TN
May 9, 2026 – 5 – 7pm, Katie Jones Artist’s Reception “Welcome to the McPromise Land” at the Playhouse on the Square: https://maps.app.goo.gl/YU18HRs98bCsAQrb6 Come for a chance to get first come first served tickets to see the show “Jesus Christ Superstar.”
May 16th, 2026 – 11AM – 6PM Beale Street Monster Club Presents: Bigfoot on Beale, Lin Workman will have a table.
May 30, 2026 – 10 am – 3 pm, Memphis Public Library Comic Con, Raleigh Branch. Many of your fellow members and the MSCA itself will be represented there. Come out and support one another and the Memphis Library as well! https://maps.app.goo.gl/NhUKJvZUsQkfMVy19
June 2, 2026 – 6-8pm Dinner Gathering at Garibaldi’s Pizza, 3530 Walker Ave, Memphis, TN
June 5,2026 – 5-7pm Lin Workman’s “Featured Creatures” Art Show Reception, Playhouse on the Square, 2nd Floor West Gallery (where the MSCA “Everything…” Art Show was), running June 6 – August 2, 2026.
July 7, 2026 – 6-8pm Dinner Gathering at Garibaldi’s Pizza, 3530 Walker Ave, Memphis, TN
August 4, 2026 – 6-8pm Dinner Gathering at Garibaldi’s Pizza, 3530 Walker Ave, Memphis, TN
September 1, 2026 – 6-8pm Dinner Gathering at Garibaldi’s Pizza, 3530 Walker Ave, Memphis, TN
October 3, 2026 – Nashville Comic Arts Festival https://nashcomicsfest.wordpress.com/2026/03/09/october-3-2026-save-the-date/
October 6, 2026 – 6-8pm Dinner Gathering at Garibaldi’s Pizza, 3530 Walker Ave, Memphis, TN
November 3, 2026 – 6-8pm Dinner Gathering at Garibaldi’s Pizza, 3530 Walker Ave, Memphis, TN
December 1, 2026 – 6-8pm Dinner Gathering at Garibaldi’s Pizza, 3530 Walker Ave, Memphis, TN
Print and save the dinner gathering calendar below:
