Dearest Pencil Practitioners, Ink Slingers, Digital Doodlers, Wordsmiths, and All,
Sharing another email for the middle of the month because folks are that busy! I know two emails at the start of the month was surely enough; but we had a LOT of things going on. Some new things have been added below, with some still coming up. Check it out!
-The Dinner Gathering is on Tuesday, November 3rd, 6-8 pm at Garibaldi’s Pizza, 3530 Walker Avenue. https://maps.app.goo.gl/BNSvuNF3w11orgRk7
-Sat-art-day happening Saturday, November 14, 2026, from 1 – 4 pm at Crone Memorials, 811 S Dudley Street, Memphis, TN 38104. https://maps.app.goo.gl/GCq3KsdnN46q1YMB7
AVE MARIA HOME: Lin and I had a great visit drawing scary cats and pumpkins with the residents there. December 2, 3 – 5 pm, will be our next outing there. Be sure to LET ME KNOW if you are able to go that day. They really love our visits and remember everyone who comes. More details below.
I’m planning an early November trip to Alpha Omega Veterans Services to deliver the current batch of comics and cartoon-themed books that you all have been bringing. If you have any others to bring, please do bring it to the November dinner gathering. We’ll pick up another run in 2027.
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! I hope to add your answers and pictures to the November 2026 newsletter!
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.
Have a Happy Halloween!
Spectre-tacularly yours,
Kevin Williams,
MSCA President
Rogue’s Gallery Strikes Back
Congrats to THAT Katie Jones and the Rogue’s Gallery crew for another successful mini-con. Last weekend they were set up at Abandoned Antiques in Millington, TN. Rogue’s Gallery Memphis is a for artists by artists Pop Up Market and Mini Con experience in the 901 area focusing on Artists and Makers. You can follow Rogue’s Gallery Memphis Geekery Art on Facebook and @roguesgallerymemphis on Instagram.
DALE MARTIN SHARES!
* Hey, do you like designing characters, especially spooky ones? Well, this month’s Character Design Challenge is right up your alley: “Rulers of Hell!” Challenge #142 is now open, closing on November 2nd! Check out https://characterdesignreferences.com/news/theme-of-the-month for all the hellish details!
* Memphis Monster Market is reopening its crypt doors at the Medicine Factory (85 Virginia Ave. W. in downtown Memphis) with an opening night party on Friday, Oct. 16 from 5-9 pm! This year’s market features work from MSCA members Dale Martin and Lin Workman, maybe a few others. It runs daily thru Oct. 25; in addition to a Pharaoh’s tomb worth of goods to shop for, Lauren has also packed Monster Market’s run with cool events– film screenings, life drawing, collage nights, and more. Be sure to check out its website or its socials for the full scoop! (The event center details can be found at https://www.medicinefactory.org/)
* Dale finished a new Watusi digest comic last month! He’ll try to remember to bring copies to the next meetup, but in case he doesn’t, you can find out all about it in his October newsletter … which includes a way to get a FREE .pdf copy of the issue! (visit smearysoapbox.eo.page/signup to subscribe)
Or, visit his latest newsletter post at:
https://tinyurl.com/8p9acd5m
MEMPHIS GHOSTBUSTERS PATROL HALLOWEEN HIKE
Come visit with your Memphis Ghostbusters who will be patrolling the park to keep kids and families safe from spooks, specters, and ghosts at the Memphis Botanic Gardens on Saturday, October 17, 2026. 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. A. Schwab’s is located at https://maps.app.goo.gl/hNFGaL8JpPg14mst6
Join Beale Street Monster Club as they 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:
Sketching for Beginners – Sat 21 Nov – Memphis, TN 38111 – 10am – 2.0 Hours
Sketching for Beginners – Sat 19 Dec – Memphis, TN 38111 – 10am – 2.0 Hours
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
15 years -congrats!
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. The event is open to the public, but if you’re not old enough to drive yourself to dinner, please have a parent bring you to it. We meet in the big dining room on the right.
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. Will you win the prize?
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.
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.
DECEMBER DINNER GATHERING ART SWAP!
December 1, 2026, from 6-8pm is the December Dinner Gathering and 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!
AVE MARIA HOME VISIT – MSCA Outreach
We’ve been invited back on Wednesday, December 2, 2026, from 3 – 5 pm. Lin Workman is coming, who else? I know the time is odd, but it’s just enough time before they go to dinner. LET ME KNOW if you can come, please. Would like to have a few of us go, and they love to have us there.
Ave Maria is out in Bartlett at: https://maps.app.goo.gl/rgV6cYVaXRf6UchaA
After, we can go to dinner at Pop’s Comfort Kitchen at 5pm: https://maps.app.goo.gl/azBZgEoAe7QG5Qa96
Some of the Halloween art we did with them.
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. mscapub@gmail.com
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 website at 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/
“WHO Y’ALL GONNA CALL..?”
Speaking of Hernando, Lin got a recent request to set up another “Ghostbusters” display in the lobby of the First Regional Library in Hernando to celebrate Halloween. He based it around the books I had around the house- hey, it’s a library display so it needs some featured books. The “Ghostbusters” display are available to check out during the library’s normal business hours now through Halloween.
First Regional Library
370 W Commerce St.
Hernando, MS 38632
www.firstregional.org/
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
October 17, 2026 – 930am-2pm – Memphis Botanic Gardens’ Halloween Hike at the Memphis Botanic Gardens with the Memphis Ghostbusters appearance (Lin and Kevin). 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 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!
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. This is also our annual Holiday Art Swap!
https://share.google/VjktFYLpxRoDNv1Ea
Print and save the dinner gathering calendar below:
Sincerely,
Mid-South Cartoonists Association
Formed in Memphis in 1987, the MSCA is comprised of cartooning professionals, amateurs, enthusiasts, and collectors celebrating and promoting cartoons as art.
www.midsouthcartoonists.org