Hiya, hello, and ‘sup, Digital Doodlers, Pencil Pushers, Ink Slingers, and Wordsmiths,

I’m looking forward to our June 2, 2026, dinner gathering at Garibaldi’s Pizza U of M, 3530 Walker Ave, from 6 – 8 pm.  Bring art, money for food, and a good time!

First up, Saturday, May 30, 2026, is Memphis Library Comic Con (details below) that had limited space, so other members and friends of the MSCA will be set up around town.  Check your socials for those locations.

As always, send photos and news to me before the last Monday of the month to make it into the next email, please.

Always keep up with the MSCA News at www.midsouthcartoonists.org and by following us at https://www.facebook.com/midsouthcartoonists/.  Always fun to catch up via the podcast at www.drawingfunny.com for more updates and information.

See you then,
Your Favorite Nerd,
Kevin Williams, MSCA Prez.

MEMPHIS PUBLIC LIBRARY COMIC CON

This year, it has moved to the Raleigh Branch at 3452 Austin Peay Hwy, 38128, on Saturday, 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/

DINNER GATHERING

On the first Tuesday, June 2, 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, June 3, 2026, you can hang with Greg Cravens and play some Con Cards at 6pm at 901 Games on Broad Ave, come hang and play with Greg Cravens’ Con Cards.  Are there prizes?  Sounds like it!

FEATURED CREATURES ART SHOW

June 5, 2026, is the reception of Lin Workman who has a solo art show in the upstairs gallery behind the balcony, where the MSCA show was, at Playhouse of the Square.  He shares:

I’ll have this painting on display at my upcoming “Featured Creatures” art show.  The show’s artist reception (https://www.facebook.com/events/988801430392981/) will be on June 5, 2026 from 5-7pm in 2nd Floor West gallery at Playhouse on the Square (https://playhouseonthesquare.org/) – 66 South Cooper Street, Memphis, TN 38104. There’s another artist, Angi Cooper (https://www.instagram.com/angiart1/), having their reception the same night in the downstairs gallery. My art show runs from June 6-August 2, 2026 and is in conjunction with Playhouse’s production of “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (https://playhouseonthesquare.org/sweeney-todd)“, June 12 – July 12, 2026. All art shows on display are free to attend art shows during Playhouse’s normal business hours.

The location is: https://maps.app.goo.gl/YU18HRs98bCsAQrb6

MSCA COMICS PANEL 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.  At 3pm we’ll begin the panel discussion about creating comics, and at 4pm we’ll begin portfolio reviews.

The location is here: https://maps.app.goo.gl/fDnA7fDYQgyjSxNr5  It’s a fantastic space!

Please use the location images below along with the copy-paste details for social media.

Portfolio Review Day Copy & Paste Details & Art:
             MSCA PORTFOLIO REVIEW AND COMICS PANEL AT A. SCHWAB’S ON BEALE STREET

The Mid-South Cartoonists Association will be holding a comics creation panel and portfolio review for those interested in promoting cartoon as art.

Join the Mid-South Cartoonists Association at A. Schwab’s, 163 Beale St., Memphis, TN, for a rare opportunity to listen to a panel discussion about creating comics followed by a portfolio review of your work.  Come for both, or one or the other – the event is free as we continue our mission to promote cartoon as art.  This event is open to all artists, regardless of age, education, or experience.  (Please note, an adult must stay with you if you aren’t old enough to drive yourself.)  Panel discussion will begin promptly at 3pm, with the portfolio review starting at 4pm with creators breaking out into groups.

In attendance will be creators Greg Cravens, Antonio Johnson, Katie Jones, Lin Workman, and MSCA President Kevin Williams.  The reviews will be to share feedback, areas for improvement and guidance/advice on next steps.  Bring your questions about process, tools, and techniques!

Please bring original art for review; but if you plan to leave any work behind, make sure to leave copies.  Be sure to have examples of your best work (maximum 6 pages).  It is suggested that art for review is at least in a sketchbook though art portfolios are preferred, with art showing sequential story telling (we will be looking at art only for this review, not story or scripts).  This review is to help your art growth, not for hire.  All types of illustration will be considered, including digital art, comics, graphic narrative, animation and other creative uses of time-based media. Unpublished and personal work is welcome.  We will NOT review A.I. Generated images.

Parking can be found at 60 Beale Street or 250 Peabody Place.

For any questions, please contact us at http://www.midsouthcartoonists.org/contact-us/

TIME IS RUNNING OUT!!
EMERALD THEATRE’S “THE LOVES OF LINCOLN” ART SHOW & AUCTION

While this isn’t an MSCA event, it is a fun one.  The art will benefit one of Memphis’ own small theatres and we always want more art in the world!  Supplies are limited to 10 artists, so hop on this while you’re able to create your version of Honest Abe on the Lincoln Penny:

From the theatre:

Emerald Theatre Company is excited to bring the WORLD PREMIERE of the campy comedy, The Loves of Lincoln to the TheatreWorks stage June 19-28!! We are seeking some creative friends who might be interested in showing off their visual talents!

The idea is to have local artists create their version of the Lincoln penny. We are providing a 14in pine round for each artist. The “penny” art will be for a silent auction. We are giving each of the 10 artists two tickets to the premiere of the show. All details are at www.etcmemphistheater.com

SALES OPPORTUNITY!

Jee Vahn Knight is CEO of the Baron Von Opperbean & the River of Time interactive experience happening at 101 Island Drive, Memphis, TN 38103 (in the former Mississippi River Museum), and hopes to create an inventory in their BVO Gift Shop of local comic art, plush, books, etc., which she plans to buy outright to display in their shop.  Reach out to her at jee@bvoexp.com, and to see more about the program visit: BVO | Baron Von Opperbean and The River of Time | Memphis, TN

STAGE & SKETCH at THE DIXON GALLERY AND GARDENS

The next sketch event is May 14, 2026, from 6 – 8 pm.  The location is at https://maps.app.goo.gl/DMR1XHZV4wAzuMCt8

Dale Martin shares: the 2nd Thursday of every month, from 6-8 pm in their education building (4339 Park Ave.). Past models have included wrestlers, belly dancers, and cosplayers. Organizer Shelda Edwards (@legendofshelda) keeps things fresh each time, though she did mention the wrestlers will be coming back soon…

June 11, July 9, Aug. 13, Sept. 10, Oct. 8, Nov. 12, & Dec. 10, 2026.

MAW PRODUCTIONS NEWS

Part 1: Jetta: Tales of the Toshigawa Motion Comic Cast Talk Livestream!

If you didn’t get to make it to the event, you can watch it here.  Such a fun and talented cast of characters these folks are!  https://www.youtube.com/live/x14AlAGG-2w?si=UkSSWQMm91StCRFh

Part 2: THE ADVENTURES OF JINN COLORING BOOK

This cross-over with the world of Jetta: Tales of the Toshigawa’s own baby dragon, Jinn, and Muley the Mule and Friends, will take you on a mountain-climbing, monster dueling adventure – debuting at the Memphis Libraries Comic Con on May 30, 2026.  You can also get involved with the Jetta comics at www.toshigawauniverse.com

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

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

May 30, 2026 – NIB & INK Panel Discussion: The Study of Comics in Academia (Understanding Comics) https://nif.cartoonist.coop/event/the-study-of-comics-in-academia-understanding-comics/ 5pm CT

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, 2^nd 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