Originally on 1/11- keep in mind that weather may change some of the event dates.

Mid-month greetings to all my favorites in the world of ‘toons!!  LOTS going on so there’s a bit of detail.  Read through it, print it to read while in the bathroom – whatever works for you!

We had great success with our dinner gathering and, two days later, the artists’ reception for “Art of the Game.”  Thanks to all who came to either or both!

There are some outreach opportunities and other events planned ahead, so please check the email below and LET ME KNOW if you can participate in any of them.  I think you’ll also be excited by the news Naim Hakeem shares below, too!  Check the full calendar at the bottom of the email for everything coming up in the year.

If you have any news to share or event information, please share before the last Monday of February to include in the next email.

As always, you can find updates anytime at www.midsouthcartoonists.org and www.drawingfunny.com (thanks, Lin!).

Thank you, and keep arting around!
Kevin Williams,
MSCA President

DINNER GATHERING

Next Tuesday, February 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

January 2026 – Greg brought a new game to test and a box of used art pens that ended up going to Katie’s classroom.  Devin brought copies of “Common Days of Cade” #3 to sell.  There was sketching, including starting some jam art pieces like a get well piece for Bob and one to celebrate Katherine’s 21^st birthday!!

ART OF THE GAME Art Show

The artists’ reception was a HUGE hit January 8th!  Sorry if you didn’t make it to the beautiful Shainberg Gallery.  Seeing Mr. Serenco’s art lit-up (the only time of the show that his work was fully enabled) was amazing.

PLEASE continue to tell everyone to go see the show which runs through January 30th.  All anyone has to do is show up to the counter, say you want to go to the art gallery to see the art show, and they’ll let you in. Several pieces still available for purchase.

It’s all fun and games at the Shainberg Gallery of the Memphis Jewish Community Center at 6560 Poplar Ave, Memphis, 38138.  Come see “Art of the Game”, a posthumous art show for Irvin Serenco featuring art by members of the Mid-South Cartoonists Association now through January 30^th!  www.jccmemphis.org  For directions https://maps.app.goo.gl/Qj2VS6s6bk1dkSWF8

Artists in the show include:
Greg Cravens, Naim Hakeem, Devin Hodges, Patrick Hollowell, Shawn Howe, Katie Jones, Dale Martin, Eric McMeans, Peter Melonas, Megan Mosier, Julie Nouwen, DaMarco Randle, Irvin Serenco (Posthumously), Amelia Sumner, Kevin Williams, and Lin Workman.

“Art of the Game” ART PICKUP

As mentioned above, the show is over January 30^th.  Art will be available for pick-up at the Feb 3 dinner gathering.  Please come get it – I get so nervous keeping up with the art otherwise!

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CON CARDS BY GREG CRAVENS

The following night, February 4, 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!

SHADOWCON WITH GREG CRAVENS

Greg Cravens also appeared as Artist Guest of Honor at Shadowcon Jan 9 – 10, 2026!

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DEAL OR NO DEAL – Drawing Funny Podcast Episode 90

http://www.drawingfunny.com/2026/01/21/episode-90-deal-or-no-deal/

The episode so nice Lin did it twice! Listen for details on how that happened, local art news, plus lots of thoughts and advice on setting up at conventions and art events.

You can listen on Spotify, Apple, or most podcasting platforms. Show notes in the link above, and you can hear the most recent promo spot here.

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KEVIN THORN’S BRICKS AND MINIFIGS FIRST ANNIVERSARY

January 24 from 10am – 7pm was scheduled to be the 1yr anniversary celebration for Bricks & Minifigs proprietors Dr. Kevin Thorn and his wife Tammy, but the winter storm had other ideas.

Once this nasty weather passes, be sure to stop in at this one of a kind LEGO store! It’s located at 210 E Commerce St #7 in Hernando, MS 38632. From Memphis take I-55 S to the Commerce Street exit in Hernando, go right, and the shop is just up the street on the right as you go over the R/R tracks.

Hopefully when it’s officially rescheduled Kevin Williams will be performing some meet-n-greets with Muppet replicas to help commemorate the day. We’ll be sure to let you know when we have the new date and times.

Dr. Thorn refereed the West TN First LEGO League Championship recently.

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THE MSCA AND URBAN SKETCHERS DAY AT WOODRUFF-FONTAINE HOUSE MUSEUM

Both groups will meet up at the Woodruff-Fontaine House Museum on Saturday, February 21, from noon-4, to draw the property.  There are so many beautiful details inside and outside that there are plenty of things to draw and photograph.

Entry will be by donation only and making the art available to them to help support the museum, just let them know you’re there with either group.  Assistant WFH Director Georgia Cooper will be on hand to show us the house, tell us a little history, and more.

Cameras, pencils, pens, and markers are welcome (we want to keep anything “drippy” away from the historic property).  There is a basement, 3 floors, and a tower to visit.  The grounds have a beautiful carriage house and two “playhouses” to see.

Location: 680 Adams Avenue, Memphis, TN 38105 https://maps.app.goo.gl/DHoWttaoDD39Tr3G7

https://www.woodruff-fontaine.org/

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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!  Both days are Tuesdays, March 23, 2026 & April 14, 2026, and the location is:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/rgV6cYVaXRf6UchaA

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DALE MARTIN SHARES
THE GOOD, THE BAD, AND THE SKETCHY #13 – REVIEW!

Hi all – it may be a super short review, but Tom Fellrath (Phoenix Productions) gave an enthusiastic shout out to our latest issue on his YouTube channel:  https://www.youtube.com/shorts/3PzijKsnHA8

Tom has reviewed our “The Good, The Bad, And The Sketchy” zine before and always has had great things to say about our group anthology publication. Thanks for the shout out, Tom!

You can purchase a copy of our zine (and other local creator comics) out at The Cellar Tabletop Games and Comics on Bartlett Blvd. in Bartlett, TN.

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JETTA MOTION COMIC PREMIERE!

If you missed it, the PREMIER of the motion comic Jetta: Tales of the Toshigawa was presented at 10am on January 17, 2026.  Then, at 6pm, there was a re-watch with the cast and alive cast visit as they answered questions, talked careers and projects, and the characters they brought to life.

Don’t forget to like and subscribe to the page:
https://www.youtube.com/live/FsVKQOQyBU8?si=lYkyzWk4UyUF_j8K

The Cast Livestream:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FsVKQOQyBU8&list=LL

The recent CGS interview:
https://comicgeekspeak.com/episodeDetails.html?episodeId=2970

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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.

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BEALE STREET MONSTER CLUB  weather depending
Beale Street Monster Club Presents: Bigfoot on Beale Vendor and Artist Tables

Lin shares:  Saturday, February 7, 2026 – 1-1:30 pm “Once Upon a Midnight Dreary” Edgar Allen Poe Celebration, Beale Street Monster Club, A. Schwab, 163 Beale Street, Memphis, TN (showing movies  The Black Cat and The Raven).  There will be a Bigfoot on Beale St event in May!

And then I heard from the club president who 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 – Beale Street Monster Club

(Email MSCA president Kevin L. Williams at midsouthcartoonists (at) gmail (dot) com if you’d like the PDF sent to you.)

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