Dearest Ink Slingers, Digital Doodlers, Wordsmiths, Pencil Practitioners, and All,
Believe it or not, everyone is SO BUSY promoting cartoon as art right now that I already have a full email of information to share before we even get to the usual ‘mid-month’ email!
This email shares art days, art classes, Kevin in a Muppet Zine, Katie in a Geek Tank, and Lin in a Little Gallery. Ghost busters and Beale Street Monsters! RRParks Cards Kickstarter, and MORE!
GROUP PARTICIPATION: What inspires you to cartoon? Does that creativity stream from the ether, or from a particular something or someone? Do you get a charge from an individual comic book, strip, or show? Last month’s question got a few really good answers, see below. I’ll add this to our November Dinner Gathering email and share thoughts! (Send pictures, too.)
Saturday, November 14, 2026, from 1 – 4 pm is our next Sat-art-day event! It’s a chance to set aside time to work on your art, practice with various pens or other art tools, do some writing, and finish some art. It will happen at Crone Memorials, 811 S Dudley Street, Memphis, TN 38104. https://maps.app.goo.gl/GCq3KsdnN46q1YMB7
Please forward to any interested artists. If you have news, please send it before the last Monday of the month (copy and paste text and pictures, please). Even promotional stuff – we want to celebrate your good news!
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.
Proudly yours,
Kevin Williams,
MSCA President
“What happens at the MSCA Dinner Gathering?” is a question I get sometimes. I think lots happens, and so there’s not a simple explanation. We gather at 6pm and leave the building at 8pm (sometimes standing around outside much later). I try to make sure to go over things around 7pm sharing the group happenings and open up for folks to share what they’re doing, but other than that lots of great conversations happen, people do artwork, share the work they’ve done, and eat delicious food!
Nazca Preservation Project™ Exhibit
The Nazca Preservation Project™ is a Memphis-based preservation initiative focused on more than 5,000 original production materials from the 1998 anime Nazca, including cels, backgrounds, layouts, sketches, timing sheets, and sequential production material. The exhibit introduces visitors to the traditional animation process while highlighting the importance of preserving original production art and animation history.
Learn more at: https://facebook.com/nazcapreservation
The first public exhibit opened October 1 at the Cordova Library in Memphis – 8457 Trinity Rd, Cordova, TN 38018. https://maps.app.goo.gl/mn37stY2b6MWRYYW9
MEMPHIS GHOSTBUSTERS PATROL HALLOWEEN HIKE
Come visit with your Memphis Ghostbusters and bring the kiddos to the Memphis Botanical Gardens on October 17, 2026, 930am – 2pm. Because this is a timed event, tickets are sold for particular times throughout the day. Get tickets here:
https://www.simpletix.com/e/halloween-hike-2026-tickets-289496
BEALE STREET MONSTER CLUB
On October 24, 2026, at A. Schwab at 163 Beale Street, Memphis, TN, from 1 – 3 pm, the Beale Street Monster Club will be presenting a 60th Anniversary of It’s The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown. Schwab’s is located at https://maps.app.goo.gl/hNFGaL8JpPg14mst6
Join Beale Street Monster Club as we celebrate the 60th anniversary of “Its the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown” (1966) with a vintage inspired Halloween party! Make it a graveyard smash with classic spooky tunes as you and your fellow Monster Kids play party games. Make sure to get you photo taken with the Peanuts gang at our Great Pumpkin photo op!!! The Event will end with a screening of “It’s the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown” (1966).
Bring the whole family, as you will be too scary to come alone! Costumes are welcome and attendees can bring potluck style treats to share with everyone!!!
All live and in person on the top floor of A. Schwab on the historic Beale Street!!!
MEMPHIS DRAWING CLUB – Drawing for Beginners
Saturday, October 24, 2026, at Auburn Park, the Memphis Drawing Club will have their next session: Drawing for Beginners with Deon Boykins from 10am-Noon, the fee is $54. Sign up at:
https://memphisdrawinggroup.com/book-event/42410/
Followed by dates on:
– Saturday 21 November 2026
– Saturday 19 December 2026
These relaxed two-hour sessions cover basic sketching techniques, line work, and materials, and all skill levels are welcome. You can find details and bookings on their website: https://memphisdrawinggroup.com
Memphis Drawing Group
https://memphisdrawinggroup.com
INTERNATIONAL ANIMATION DAY
October 28, 2026, is set aside as International Animation Day. What cartoon are you looking forward to watching to celebrate? Learn more about the poster art here:
https://asifa.net/international-animation-day-2026-poster/
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY NICKI & LIN – October 29
Congrats on 15 years..!
RRParksCARDS 13th Annual HALLOWEEN Trading Cards Event!
Halloween, Monster, and Horror TRADING CARD SETS with original art sketch cards, lenticulars, playset toys and MORE!
Lin Workman did 9 official sketchcards for this set which were all hand drawn and based these “Halloween Trick or Treat” cards on his “Scared Silly” toons. This is the 4th “Halloween: Trick Or Treat” set that he’s done for RRParks CARDS. Lin’s done several sketchcard sets for RRParks CARDS including horror themed ones such as “Nosferatu“, “The Thing“, “MANOS: The Hands Of Fate“, “Trilogy Of Horror” (“Coffintooth“/”The Slasher Nurse“/”Psycho Ape 2“), and his own “BATS” trading card set that was published by RRParks.
This project is planned to ship in time for Halloween… THIS Halloween- October 31st 2026!
You can check out RRParks’ Kickstarter campaign at the link below:
DINNER GATHERING
On the first Tuesday, November 3, 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, November 4, 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. Greg will be happy to show you how to play on the first Wednesday of the month!
STAGE & SKETCH at THE DIXON GALLERY AND GARDENS
The next sketch event is November 12, 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.
Nov. 12, & Dec. 10, 2026.
There will also be a special Stage & Sketch Night at Monster Market on Monday, October 19th.
SAT-ART-DAY – DRAWING DAY!
Saturday afternoon, November 14, 2026, from 1 – 4 pm, come draw at Crone Memorials (you can see where Kevin works during the day). There will be tables set up, but there is also a tall table in the back room for inkers and painters to work at if you like. It’s next door to Elmwood Cemetery in case someone wants to show up earlier in the day and go there for photography and (literally) still-life sketching. It’s a chance to set aside time to work on your art, practice with various pens or other art tools, do some writing, and finish some art.
Crone Memorials is at811 S Dudley Street, Memphis, TN 38104
https://maps.app.goo.gl/knDFDvLUrQacSJQj8
NOVEL BOOKSTORE JUNIOR DRAWING CLUB
Jamie Wells shares that The Junior Drawing Club is a free event for all ages (recommended for ages 5-15) that takes place one Friday a month from 4–6 PM in the Event Space at Novel Bookstore.
There are always many tables full of blank paper, coloring sheets, pens, pencils, markers, crayons, colored pencils, and other arts and crafts equipment. Snacks, water, and music will also be provided. For those who need it, there is always an optional prompt. Everyone can draw whatever they want.
It’s not always the same Friday each month. Here is the schedule as set so far:
November 20th
December 4th
Directions to Novel: https://maps.app.goo.gl/Cwg3o59hxDGviqn77
THE COMIC STUDIO BY MARTHEUS WADE
There are cartooning classes being led by Martheus Wade for ages 10 – 15 years old. The class meets once per week for about an hour, and is a live video meeting. Classes are $14 per class, and if you don’t have a young’un to send but want to sponsor a young’un you know, you can. Sign up at: https://outschool.com/classes/the-comic-studio-fBdxAN77?srsltid=AU7gw4UhECRMP6jAbTmwMah_Kp1JZILdAcP9FO63L9zKaY3NDbCdyJYM
DECEMBER DINNER GATHERING ART SWAP!
This annual tradition for the MSCA has been a lot of fun these past few years, so let’s keep it going!
How it works: Bring a print, a publication, original art, or anything you’ve created or been a part of. Bring ONE PIECE (or it can be a lot connected together as one piece), and it will be given a number, and a matching number dropped in the pot. After the 7pm announcements, we’ll start drawing numbers. Your drawn number corresponds to the piece you get to take home!
THE GOOD, THE BAD, AND THE SKETCHY: MSCA ZINE 2027 Issues
2027 represents our 40th anniversary, and part of that will be the next publication of the GBS with release in March or April 2027. So the deadline will be the January 2027 Dinner Gathering. Lin Workman will be the editor of this zine. We’re looking to publish MSCA history, but also want your earliest work since 1987.
The second issue will be a dinosaur theme edited by Eric McMeans who is the perfect editor for such a thing (Raptor Boy comics anyone?)! This is slated to be released in September 2027 with a deadline of June 2027.
Now is the time to start reserving your pages! $3/page to play gets you one full issue per page, $1 per zine after that. If you like to reserve a page or need a page layout template please email the mscapub@gmail.com email address to request one.
SPEAKING OF ZINES – MUPPETZINE & TOUGHPIGS.COM ANNIVERSARY
The Muppet Fans who Grew Up website, ToughPigs.com, has turned 25 years old. To celebrate, the old fanzine MuppetZine has been published again with a history of the zine, the website, and everything that happened in the years between the zine and the website. As a part of the zine, a comics page was set up in which were featured many great artists including your own Kevin Williams. Let me know if you want to see the colorized version of the comic strip I submitted.
The Zine is available here: https://www.etsy.com/listing/4571702947/muppetzine-celebrating-the-muppets-and
(I keep my art supplies in my chin.)
The last collaboration I had was the “Great Muppet Mural” which celebrated the website’s 20th anniversary and featured 75 artists! Kevin drew The Amazing Mumford and a random bunny, Zoe with Rocco, and Hup from Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance. You can see the full mural and more about it at this link: https://www.toughpigs.com/tpmural/
FREE LITTLE ART GALLERY – HERNANDO, MS
This is going to be an on-going request as an association whose primary goal is To Promote Cartoon as Art, we have an opportunity to probably anonymously inspire someone to create!
So, what exactly is a Free Little Art Gallery..? A Free Little Art Gallery (“FLAG” for short) is like a Little Free Library, but for tiny artworks!
Lin Workman is organizing the drop off at the Hippie FLAG in Hernando (2595 McIngvale Rd Ste 101, Hernando, MS 38632) , and we’ll have materials at our next Sat-Art-Day and at our monthly dinner gathering in October at Garibaldi’s for anyone who’d like to participate.
To find out more about where to find one– or how start one in your area check out the Free Little Art Galleries websiteat https://freelittleartgalleries.art/.
You can also check out the blog post on our MSCA website:
http://www.midsouthcartoonists.org/2026/09/01/peace_love_art_we-need-your-art/
KATIE JONES ON GEEK TANK RADIO
Katie Jones, the face of Rogue’s Gallery Memphis, joins Brandon & Joe to prepare the world for the Rogues latest pop-up event at Nae-Nae’s Comics in Abandoned Antiques! https://youtu.be/BuR5qDYD6JE?si=lIFAP8ftreLLKDSx
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
October 11, 2026 – Rogues Gallery Memphis www.RoguesGalleryMemphis.com
October 17, 2026 – 930am-2pm – Memphis Botanic Gardens, Memphis Ghostbusters (Lin and Kevin) appearance. https://share.google/TQ3d3PTKIfY8pZ9rs See above story for tickets.
November 3, 2026 – 6-8pm Dinner Gathering at Garibaldi’s Pizza, 3530 Walker Ave, Memphis, TN https://share.google/VjktFYLpxRoDNv1Ea
November 14, 2026 – 1-4pm SAT-ART-DAY! 811 S Dudley St, Memphis, TN 38104 https://maps.app.goo.gl/GCq3KsdnN46q1YMB7
December 1, 2026 – 6-8pm Dinner Gathering at Garibaldi’s Pizza, 3530 Walker Ave, Memphis, TN This is also our annual Art Swap!
January 5, 2027 – 6-8pm Dinner Gathering at Garibaldi’s Pizza, 3530 Walker Ave, Memphis, TN https://share.google/VjktFYLpxRoDNv1Ea
February 2, 2027 – 6-8pm Dinner Gathering at Garibaldi’s Pizza, 3530 Walker Ave, Memphis, TN https://share.google/VjktFYLpxRoDNv1Ea
March 2, 2027 – 6-8pm Dinner Gathering at Garibaldi’s Pizza, 3530 Walker Ave, Memphis, TN https://share.google/VjktFYLpxRoDNv1Ea
April 6, 2027 – 6-8pm Dinner Gathering at Garibaldi’s Pizza, 3530 Walker Ave, Memphis, TN https://share.google/VjktFYLpxRoDNv1Ea
May 4, 2027 – 6-8pm Dinner Gathering at Garibaldi’s Pizza, 3530 Walker Ave, Memphis, TN https://share.google/VjktFYLpxRoDNv1Ea
June 1, 2027 – 6-8pm Dinner Gathering at Garibaldi’s Pizza, 3530 Walker Ave, Memphis, TN https://share.google/VjktFYLpxRoDNv1Ea
July 6, 2027 – 6-8pm Dinner Gathering at Garibaldi’s Pizza, 3530 Walker Ave, Memphis, TN https://share.google/VjktFYLpxRoDNv1Ea
August 3, 2027 – 6-8pm Dinner Gathering at Garibaldi’s Pizza, 3530 Walker Ave, Memphis, TN https://share.google/VjktFYLpxRoDNv1Ea
September 7, 2027 – 6-8pm Dinner Gathering at Garibaldi’s Pizza, 3530 Walker Ave, Memphis, TN https://share.google/VjktFYLpxRoDNv1Ea
September 2027 – WKNO Art Show Exhibition, themed around “literacy,” including students from Katie Jones’ own class, and will happen in the gallery/lobby of WKNO https://maps.app.goo.gl/3YRSJy5v8e1qB3aZ8
October 5, 2027 – 6-8pm Dinner Gathering at Garibaldi’s Pizza, 3530 Walker Ave, Memphis, TN https://share.google/VjktFYLpxRoDNv1Ea
November 2, 2027 – 6-8pm Dinner Gathering at Garibaldi’s Pizza, 3530 Walker Ave, Memphis, TN https://share.google/VjktFYLpxRoDNv1Ea
December 7, 2027 – 6-8pm Dinner Gathering at Garibaldi’s Pizza, 3530 Walker Ave, Memphis, TN https://share.google/VjktFYLpxRoDNv1Ea, and it’s the DECEMBER DINNER GATHERING ART SWAP! This annual tradition for the MSCA has been a lot of fun these past few years, so let’s keep it going! How it works: Bring a print, a publication, original art, or anything you’ve created or been a part of. Bring ONE PIECE (or it can be a lot connected together as one piece), and it will be given a number, and a matching number dropped in the pot. After the 7pm announcements, we’ll start drawing numbers. Your drawn number corresponds to the piece you get to take home!
Print and save the dinner gathering calendar below:
