Category: Industry News

“Drawing Blood” Opening Reception Didn’t Suck! Still More MSCA Halloween Fun To Go.

Hey, gang-

So, did we all survive Friday the 13th..?!!

We had a great turnout for our  MSCA “Drawing Blood” art show opening reception at Germantown Community Theatre last Friday night.

Not only did we have a lot of fun, we also had several art sales- some even before the reception opened! (No art patrons were forced to buy.)

Glad to see so many of our members and their families attend. For some members it was their first art show, and some of our members even showed up in costumes- which made things a bit “hairy”.

 

Be sure to come out and see the art show and play for yourself. (3037 Forest Hill Irene RD., Germantown, TN 38138)

The show can be seen duing theater business hours and is open to the public.

The  MSCA art show runs in conjunction with GCT’s performance of “Dracula: The Bloody Truth” from October 27 – November 12. Tickets for the play are still available for purchase while they last.

On November 18th noon-4pm there will be an MSCA mini-con in the rehersal hall building behind the Germantown Community Theatre. Members of the MSCA will be selling their comics, zines, prints, original art and more as we celebrate the closing of our “Drawing Blood” art show at GCT. It’s free and open to the public. (GCT – 3037 Forest Hill Irene RD., Germantown, TN 38138)

Thanks to Kevin, Dale, and Annie for hanging the show that Wednesday afternoon.

It turned out great and we look forward to announcing our next art show at GCT very soon..!

Oh, and don’t forget that our next MSCA Drink-N-Draw at 901 Comics East on Macon Rd. will be the tonight,  Wednesday, October 18…

…and we’ll be a part of their Halloween Comic Fest at 901 Comics East the Saturday before Halloween.

Also, Monster Market wraps up it’s run tonight at Medicine Factory, 85 Virginia Ave W, Memphis, TN 38106

And this Sunday, October 22, come and hang with Martheus Wade and do some art downtown at the river.

BIG We Foundation: Southern Shift Initiative : Adult Play Date

Featuring music, art and more at Tom Lee Park (Monument to Listening) from 3pm – 5pm. Bring your art supplies and come out.

Thanks to Germantown Community Theatre for reaching out to us to be a part of their spooky season.

“Drawing Blood: The Art Show That Bites.” – MSCA Opening Reception At GCT Friday The 13th!

Hey, gang- last Tuesday night was our latest MSCA monthly dinner meet-up at Garibaldi’s Pizza off Walker/Highland near the U of M.

We had another great member turnout for this first Tuesday of October.

There was some great food, fun freebies to be had, art drawn, terrific toon talk, and inportant info shared.

October is always a busy month and MSCA president Kevin L. Williams filled everyone in on the group’s plans for this very full fall schedule.

The main topic of discussion was our upcoming “Drawing Blood” art show and reception on Friday the 13th at the Germantown Community Theatre.

This meeting was the deadline to turn in our art for the vampire themed show, which will run in conjunction with GCT’s performance of “Dracula: The Bloody Truth” from October 27 – November 12.

It was great to get a sneek peak at some of the members’ art for the show and the finished group jam piece.

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Lots of different art styles and types of vampires represented- with lots more to be hanging around the lobby.

The show can be seen duing theater business hours and this opening reception is free and open to the public. Costumes are optional, but highly encouraged..!

Hope to see you make an appearance on Friday, October 13th at Germantown Community Theatre (3037 Forest Hill Irene Rd, Germantown, TN 38138) from 5:30-8pm.

And don’t forget that our next MSCA Drink-N-Draw at 901 Comics East will be the following Wednesday…

…and we’ll be a part of their Halloween Comic Fest the Saturday before Halloween.

Our next dinner gathering at Garibaldi’s Pizza will be Tuesday, November 3rd from 6-8pm, the Tuesday after Halloween and the day after The Day of the Dead/All Souls Day.

We bid you welcome…enter freely, go safely, and leave soemthing of the happiness you bring.

Dinner Dates, Dracula Bites, Zine Swap, Monsters And More- MSCA Fall Events

Hey, gang-

Well, it’s been a busy year for the MSCA, and the last quarter is gonne get even busier. But first here’s what’s happened so far in September…

First up was the Record Swap & Zine Fest at Crosstown Concourse over Labor Day weekend.

The two day event on Saturday and Sunday had numerous record vendors/dealers on the first floor.

Upstairs on the second floor he artists & zine creators were set up.

…and there even was an area where attendees could create their own zines.

I also saw  some familiar faces on the second floor, including local artists Tony Parker, Dale Martin, and Jason Negen.

Dale Martin was set up there both days. Dale had lots of his own original art, prints, comics, and zines for sale.

He was also debuting the new issue of the MSCA zine “The Good, The Bad, and The Sketchy” gaming issue with cover art by Devin Hodges (who was set up on Sunday only).

I purchased several items and enjoyed talking to all the creators and vendors while I was there. I hope to set up there next year with zines and trading cards, and sketchcards, and would love to see an MSCA group table/presence there.

This last Tuesday we got together again at Garibialdi’s Pizza near the U of M. We had another great turnout for this month’s dinner meet-up. We get together the first Tuesday of each month at Garibaldi’s from 6-8pm. Our next one will be October 3rd.

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The main topic of business this month was putting together more issues of the MSCA zine and divying up the issues to participating members and bundles to take to local comic shops around town.

Those zines, along with several comics by local creators, are now available at 901 Comics East (Macon Rd.), and will soon be at all 4 comic shops locations around town- 901 Comics (Cooper/Young), Comics & Collectibles (Poplar Ave.), and The Cellar (Bartlett, Blvd.).

Members at the dinner meeting also worked on their own art or checkec out the new gaming themed zine.

Plus some more work was done on the Vampire/Halloween jam piece which will be on display at the upcoming “Drawing Blood” art show.

We also had some freebies available including some blank sketchcards, which Ron Hicks drew on for the first time.

Sketchcards (or “art cards”) are the size of normal trading cards like baseball cards, but have a surface made for drawing or painting on. The only limits to working on sketchcards are your imagination. You can create your own blanks, buy them at art stores like the Art Center (Union Ave. ), or become an official sketchcard artist for trading card companies.

I ususally have some MSCA blanks available at our Sat-Art-Days and Drink-N-Draw events. I also have some free 3 Stooges, Ultraman, and Halloween/Trick-Or-Treat blanks from RRParks Cards available now, too. Hit me up at one of our events if you’d like some.

I recently sent back 15 sketchcards to Gabe’s Cave (El Dorado, AR), and they recently sent me this sweet banner.

Those cards will be given away on their YouTube channel. This is the second set/series I’ve done for Gabe’s Cave.

After people ask what a sketchcard is, the next question asked is almost always, “What do you do with them when you’re finished..?” Anything you want- trade, gift, donate, sell, hoard, etc. I sell most of mine (at shows online, or retail stores), or have been hired by card companies to be a part of a trading card set.

I’ve got several horror sketchcards that will be a part of theupcoming RRParks Cards Halloween Trick-Or-Treat card set this fall. The Kickstarter for it will be dropping soon.

This is the third Halloween set I’ve done for Richard Parks, andI’ll have some bat base cards and lenticular (or should I say “LINticular” motion cards as part of the set. He was kind enough to send me a bunch of sketchcard blanks and trading card packs to hand out at our MSCA events.

Currently I have several of my official artist returns and personal sketchcards for sale at 901 Comics East in Cordova…

…and more along with a couple sketchcovers at The Cellar in Bartlett. More to come, and I plan on releasing a trading card set with sketchcards next year- “stay tooned!”

For those participating in our Dracula themed art show, “Drawing Blood” here’s some info and dates for you.

The Mid-South Cartoonists Association’s “Drawing Blood” art show begins with an opening reception Friday, October 13, from 5:30 – 8 pm, with a full run from October 27 – November 12, 2023, from noon – 4pm and during shows of “Dracula: The Bloody Truth” at Germantown Community Theater.  We will close out with an MSCA Fest from Noon – 4 pm on Saturday November 18, 2023.

The deadline to turn in your art is the October 3rd dinnier meeting at Garibaldi’s. This art show will run inconjunction with Gremantown Community Theatre’s run of “Dracula: The Bloody Truth” from October 27 – November 12.. The closing reception for the art show and 1 day MSCA mini-con will be in the building behind the theater.

OPENING RECEPTION: Friday, October 13, 2023, from 5:30 – 8pm.SHOW RUN:  October 17 – November 12, 2023, Noon-4pm and during shows at GCT.CLOSING RECEPTION/MSCA FEST!: Saturday November 18, 2023, Noon – 4pm behind GCT (this is also art pick-up day, too).

We’ll have another Drink-N-Draw in October at 901 Comics East.

We’ll also be a part of 901 Comics East’s Halloween Comic Fest the Saturday before Halloween. This is a free event much like Free Comic Book Day. If you’d like to set up with us let me (Lin) or Kevin know. Table space is limited.

And if you get a chance, stop by the Monster Market. It’s back in-person but for one week only!

“got blood?” – Time To Drink-N-Draw

Hey gang-

Just a quick reminder that our next MSCA Drink-N-Draw event will be this Wednesday night from 6-8pm at 901 Comics East on Macon Rd. out in Cordova. The ‘bar with no name‘ will be open and serving up beer, sodas, snacks, and more.

This will also be the night that Bad Dog Comics! will be hosting their creators meeting, so there should be lots of local comics creators in attendance in the gaming area at 901 Comics East on Wednesday night.

Speaking of local creators, many of ther comics are represented and for sale at 901 Comics East.

Even some former locals like Mike Norton.

901 Comics even has art books to help those just starting out in creating comics and manga.

I’ve got several of my one of a kind sketchcards for sale near the front counter.

Each are hand drawn in pencils, markers, and pens and many of them are done on my own custom blanks, or on MSCA sketchcard blanks. If you’d like a few blanks for free to draw on hit me up at any of our MSCA events, or just stop by the comic shop on days when I’m there (Mon-Thur). We also have free art supplies to use at our Drink-N-Draw and Satartday events at 901.

You can snag some MSCA postcards or stickers at the comic shop, and at the Drink-N-Draw I’ll have the Halloween jam piece Dale started at the last dinner meeting if anyone would like to add to it. Will also have it at the next dinner meet-up at Garibaldi’s Pizza. It’ll be used in an upcoming MSCA zine and featured at the “Drawing Blood” art show at Germantown Community Theatre.

Here’s some news from our MSCA president Kevin L. Williams about the upcoming art show…

Hi, all,
We’re expected to have another fantastic art show with all the spaces now filled at the Germantown Community Theater!
Don’t forget to come see the show Oct 17 – Nov 12 Dracula: The Bloody Truth, the art show Drawing Blood will run alongside the play.
Don’t forget to check out everything happening at Germantown Community Theater!  www.gctcomeplay.org  or  https://www.gctcomeplay.org/season-52/
More details about the art show:
The opening reception is Friday, October 13, 2023, from 5:30 – 8pm (costumes welcome and encouraged).
The show runs October 17 – November 12, 2023, and available for viewing anytime the box office is open and before or after shows.
A closing reception and mini MSCA Fest will be on Saturday, November 18, from Noon – 4pm, again costumes are welcome and encouraged.
Spaces for the closing reception/MSCA Fest is claimed first by those in the art show, but a list has been started for those who wish to have a space – just email me and say you would like a space.
I’m excited!  It is going to be a great event!
Be Safe, Be Happy, Be Well!Your Pals,Kevin L. Williams& Muley the MuleKevin L. Williams ProductionsPO Box 770397Memphis, TN 38177
And before I get out of here I want to wish 901 Comics East a happy 2nd anniversary and invite you all out to thier birthday celebration and in-store signing appearance with special guest Jerry Bingham next Saturday, August 19th.
The store opens at 10am and the festivities will start at 10:30am. There will be a 20% off sale and more specials available, as well as the bar being open! 901 Comics East is loacted at 8551 Macon Rd, Cordova, TN 38018.
Hope to see you all there!
Lin

MSCA Event Info From Kev- Dinners, Art Shows, And More!

Greetings Wordsmiths, Digital Doodlers, Inkslingers, Pencil Pushers, and Enthusiasts, 

Hi, all!

Another good batch of information below for you all to look at.  Grab your calendars and start marking them for the upcoming events.

DINNER GATHERINGS 

We will begin gathering again August 1 at 6pm and otherwise meet the first Tuesday of each month at 6pm at Garibaldi’s Pizza, 3530 Walker Ave, Memphis.  Bring food money, art, show-and-tell, conversation – it’s a good time!  Looking forward to seeing you all.

DALE MARTIN SHARES:

[1] Sales tax free weekend!

Once again, TN is suspending state & local sales taxes (9.75% in Shelby Co.) on back-to-school items, including computers and art supplies, from Friday, 7/28 thru Sunday, 7/30. More details & list of exemptions here: https://www.tn.gov/revenue/taxes/sales-and-use-tax/sales-tax-holiday/sth-traditional.html 

[2] “The Good the Bad, and the Sketchy” update!

Our 7th issue (the gaming issue) is booked up! A 8/19 deadline for final art should get it back from the printer in time for a binding party at our September meetup. Which opens up the idea for an 8th issue focused on vampires, to coordinate with our October art show. If you’re contributing to the art show, would you like that art featured in an issue? If you’re not, would you be interested in drawing some vampire-themed comics or cartoons? Dale’s trying to gauge interest and see if the idea is worth pursuing. Email him at mscapub@gmail.com if you’re interested…

 [3] Zine fest is coming!

Crosstown Arts’ Zine Fest is returning to Crosstown Concourse on Saturday, 9/2 & Sunday, 9/3 from 10:00-2:00pm. If you’re interested in exhibiting and selling your own zines or comics, fill out the vendor request form:  https://crosstownarts.formstack.com/forms/zine_fest_2023

More MSCA news…

ART SHOWS!!  Two to remember, limited space so claim those spaces now! 

ART SHOW 2023: “DRAWING BLOOD” 

By Tuesday, August 1, 2023, I need a head-count of who is participating and the number of pieces you’re entering in the show, please, and if you’d like a space at the Closing Reception.  I have heard from one or two; but, please update me again as I now need to get some folks commitments. $3 hanging fee – just charge accordingly for the art.   The Germantown Community Theater is a great place with great people, and the art shows are great fun with wonderful receptions.

The show will run during the Germantown Community Theater’s presentation of “Dracula: The Bloody Truth,” a comedy musical, from October 27 – November 12, 2023.  Art is due at the October 3, 2023, dinner gathering.  I’ve attached the details/prospectus for that art show, along with advertising art to share on social media and websites.  

The OPENING RECEPTION will be on Friday, October 13, 2023, from 5:30 – 8pm.  There will be a cash bar and theater snacks available from the Germantown Community Theater.

The CLOSING RECEPTION will be Saturday, November 18, 2023, from Noon – 4pm, during which we’ll have the MSCA Fest (first dibs on space to the artists in the art show, bring your own table) in the GCT Rehearsal Hall.  A percentage of proceeds will go to the theater.  Once space is taken by the artists participating in the art show, the space will be open to the remainder of the membership!

Please take a photo of your artwork in advance to submit it to the Zine editors at mscapub@gmail.com for inclusion in the artbook to coincide with the art show (which you read about above).

ART SHOW 2024: CINDERELLA aka The Glass Slipper 

This will display in June 2023 at Theater Memphis along with the presentation of Rogers and Hammerstein’s “Cinderella” performance.  The space is VERY limited, so be sure you claim your spot(s) right away!  Our own Katie Jones has done some preliminary work to help as many of us that want to participate be able to do so.  Please let me know ASAP that you can commit to the show and how many pieces.

Art will be due at the May 7, 2024, dinner gathering.  Hanging will happen on June 4, 2023, with the show running June 7 – 30, 2024.  Breakdown will happen Monday, July 1, 2024. The prospectus and details will be coming soon.

We will NOT be playing off Disney’s version – so try to think about creative ways to tell the story of Cinderella.  This might be the video to watch:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C1F4YhBOA14

 

MORE EVENTS! 

Tuesday, August 1, 6pm, MSCA Dinner Gathering, Garibaldi’s Pizza, 3530 Walker Ave

Saturday August 12 – Sunday August 13, Covington Comic Con, Covington Civic Center, 100 W Washington Ave, Covington, TN

Wednesday, August 16, 6 – 8 pm, Drink-N-Draw, 901 Comics East, 8551 Macon Road

Saturday, August 26, 10am – 2pm, Sat-Art-Day, 901 Comics East, 8551 Macon Road

Tuesday, September 5, 6pm, MSCA Dinner Gathering, Garibaldi’s Pizza, 3530 Walker Ave

Saturday, September 9, and Sunday, September 10, from 10am – 4pm, Crosstown Art’s Zine Fest returns to Crosstown Concourse, 1350 Concourse Ave, Memphis, TN 38104

Saturday, September 23 – Sunday September 24, Memphis Comics Expo, Agricenter International Wing C, 7777 Walnut Grove Road, Memphis

Tuesday, October 3, 6pm, MSCA Dinner Gathering, Garibaldi’s Pizza, 3530 Walker Ave.

Monster Market – October 13-18, 2023 at the Medicine Factory, 85 Virginia Ave W, Memphis, TN.

Wednesday, October 18, 6 – 8 pm, Drink N Draw, 901 Comics East, 8551 Macon Road.

DRAWING BLOOD Art Show October 27 – November 12, Germantown Community Theater, 3037 Forest Hill Irene Rd.

Saturday, October 28, 12-4pm, Halloween Comic Fest, 901 Comics East, 8551 Macon Road.

Tuesday, November 7, 6pm, MSCA Dinner Gathering, Garibaldi’s Pizza, 3530 Walker Ave.

Friday, November 10 – Sunday, November 12 – Memphis Comics and Fantasy Convention/MCFC, Holiday Inn UofM, 3700 Central Ave, Memphis.

Wednesday, November 15, 6 – 8 pm, Drink N Draw, 901 Comics East, 8551 Macon Road.

Saturday, November 18, Closing Reception/MSCA-GCT Mini Con, Germantown Community Theater, 3037 Forest Hill Irene Rd. (Times TBD)

 

Tuesday, December 5, 6pm, MSCA Dinner Gathering, Garibaldi’s Pizza, 3530 Walker Ave (Walt Disney’s Birthday, too, BTW).  MSCA Art Swap – bring some art to swap with other members, same as we did last year.  That was fun.

And, of course, the Glass Slippers art show in 2024 at Theatre Memphis off Perkins at Southern Ave.

Please send your news, images, and such to me at midsouthcartoonists@gmail.com to share with the association. For your social media sharing, the MSCA Logo and calendar are attached below, too.

If there are questions about anything, please let me know; but double check this information and attachments to be sure I didn’t already answer it.

Oh, and if you’d like to see pictures from the comic art show at the Tennessee Valley Museum of Art in Tuscumia, AL just click here.

I’m sure I’m missing something, but also this is probably enough. See you soon, all you crazy, wonderful artists!!

Thanks,Kevin WilliamsMSCA President

“Get Ready..Get Set…GO!!!” – Upcoming Events

Okay, gang- here are some event dates to add to your calendar…it’s gonna be a busy few months!

Heroclix Tournament at 901 Comics East/901 Games East
Saturday, July 15, 2023 (1-4pm)

Diecast And Toy Show at Bartlett Station Municipal Center (Stage Road at Bartlett Blvd.)
Saturday, July 22, 2023 (9am-3pm)
Saturday, November 4, 2023 (9am-3pm)

Artist Trading Cards Memphis is having a show at Crosstown Concourse’s Art Bar, and MSCA’s Dale Martin is joining in the fun this Sunday, July 16th from 6-9pm. He’ll be one of the exhibiting artists with his new project, “You Are What You Eat“.

901 Comics East POP! Swap at 901 Comics East
Sunday, July 30, 2023 AT (noon–5 PM)

901 Comics East 2 Year Anniversary Celebration with artist Jerry Bingham
Saturday August 19, 2023

MSCA Monthly Dinner Meet-up at Garibaldi’s Pizza/U of M (1st Tuesdays  from 6-8pm)
August 1, 2023
September 4, 2023
October 3, 2023
November 7, 2023
December 5, 2023

MSCA Drink-N-Draw  at 901 Comics East
August- Wednesday 16 (6-8pm)
October- Wednesday 18 (6-8pm)
November- Wednesday 15 (6-8pm)

Sat-Art-Day (Sketchy Saturday) at 901 Comics East
August  26, 2023 (10-2pm)

Halloween Comic Fest at 901 Comics East
October  28, 2023 (noon-4pm)

MSCA “Drawing Blood” Art Show At Germantown Community Theatre
Starts on October 27 and ends on November 12, 2023.
Opening reception 5:30-8pm Friday the 13th..!!!
Runs in conjunction with the GCT play “Dracula: The Bloody Truth”
MSCA/GCT Mini-con: Nov- 18, noon-4pm (behind GCT)

Monster Market
October 13-18, 2023

Covington Comic Con
August  12, 2023

Memphis Comic Expo/MCX (DonnieCon)
September 23 & 24, 2023

Memphis Comic And Fantasy Con/MCFC
November 10-12, 2023

And don’t forget that we will have a Cinderella themed art show at Theatre Memphis next summer in June.

Oh, and here are several other events happening around the M-town.

For more info follow the links above or check out the MSCA Facebook page. You can also contact our president Kevin L. Williams to join our mailing list and not miss out any of our upcoming event info.

Lin

New “Drawing Funny” Podcast Episode- Memphis Libraries Comic Con And MSCA Event News

New “Drawing Funny” podcast episode is available for downloading/listening. You can find it on podcast platforms like Spotify or get it directly from the source by clicking here. ✏️🎧🎤

Nicki Workman interviewed comic creators Mike Norton (former MSCA member) and the legenarywriter John Ostrander at the innagural Memphis Public Libraries Comic Con on Saturday, May 6th (Free Comic Book Day)- plus I share some upcoming Mid-South Cartoonists Association (MSCA) event news.

Such as our upcoming May Drink-N-Draw this Wednesay...

…and our June Sat-Art-Day – both at 901 Comics East on Macon Road in Cordova.

We had a great time at the comic con at the library, and many nfolks stoppe by the MSCA table as well as the many MSCA members’ tables around the library con floor.

You can see lots of pics on our MSCA Facebook page.

 

Another upcoming MSCA event is…MSCA ART DAY IN MAY AT WFH!

Sunday, May 21, 2023, from Noon-4 our friends at the Woodruff Fontaine House Museum have invited the Mid-South Cartoonists Association to come draw at the museum. It’s a great time to practice drawing architecture, still-life, portraits, flowers, photography, and more, inside and out.
The museum is at 680 Adams Ave, Memphis, TN 38105
https://goo.gl/maps/Jr1TGEcyGLAmLY2v5
ABOUT WOODRUFF FONTAINE HOUSE MUSEUM
This Victorian era mansion was completed in 1871, has been through the Woodruff and Fontaine families, seen multiple wars and pandemics such as Yellow Fever, and once even served as the first version of the Memphis College of Art. After having been reconstructed by the Association for the Preservation of Tennessee Antiquities it has become the beautiful place presented today!
You can find out more about the Woodruff Fontaine House Museum at
https://www.woodruff-fontaine.org/
ENTRY FEE AND ART SALES
Free entry for MSCA members this day only (donations to the museum are welcome). When you arrive, just let them know you’re with the MSCA. Art created this day can be sold as prints (or originals) by the house on a consignment (25% to the museum), so we hope to offer the museum a few of our pieces that they can sell – they are a 501c3 for tax-minded people.
{General admission is typically $16 (membership for the year is only $30).} The Woodruff Fontaine House has been good friends to the Mid-South Cartoonists Association (and I’ve served on the board and am a long-time member of the museum). I think you’ll enjoy all the art opportunities you can find there in its many beautiful details!
HOUSEKEEPING RULES
Keep in mind, the furniture, flooring, everything about the property is vintage Victorian, so we want to be sure we’re super-duper respective of the property and keep it as clean as possible. We can’t sit on the furniture, but we can sit on the floors (small stools or camping chairs are OK). Also, because it is a living museum with regular operating hours, be sure to position yourself in areas that tourists can easily navigate the halls and rooms of the museum.
Indoors, feel free to bring your sketch books and sketch pads, pencils, colored pencils, ink pens/brush pens, Copics, markers, cameras, tablets, and erasers (keep the eraser dust cleaned up, please). Inside, we don’t want to use inks, brushes, paints – nothing that can stain, spill, or splatter.
Outside, feel free to set up your easels, canvases, paints, ink and brushes, pastels, but if you use paints/watercolor bring along a drop cloth/tarp to work on and be cautious of your surroundings.
Don’t forget- our next dinner meetin will be the first Tuesday next month, June 6th from 6-8pm, but we are skipping July because of July 4th/Independence Day. We’ll be back to our regular schedule with the following meeting  on August 1st.
Hope you can make it out to one or all of our events!

Drink, Draw, Eat, Repeat…Our Upcoming Monthly MSCA Events

Hey, gang- lots of opportuniities for you to attend an MSCA event over the next few weeks.

First up is the Sat-Art-Day at 901 Comics East out on Macon Road in Cordova.

We’ll be meeting in the back gallery room this Saturday, April 22nd from 10am – 2pm. This is a free/open to the public drawing event. Bring your latest art project to work on or sketchbook to draw in.

We’ll also have art supplies available for anyone who needs them- lots of markers, pens, pencils, paper, and more will be on hand.

All ages are welcome, but if you aren’t old enough to drive yourself to the event, have a parent bring you and hang out as well.

The following Wednesday, April 26th, we’ll have our next Drink-N-Draw at 901 Comics East.

It’s another free and open to the public drawing event, but if you’d like a beer (on tap or in cans), soda, water, chips, or pizza those all will be available for purchase fro 901’s “Bar With No Name“.

Again, we’ll be meeting in the back gallery room, but there’s plenty of room in the baming area and at the bar.

Then on Tuesday, May 2nd we’ll have our monthly dinner meet-up at Garibaldi’s Pizza near the U of M.  We’ll be there from 6-8pm in the bog dining room on the right.

You don’t have to be a member to attend any of our events like this or the ones at 901 Comics East, but you might want to bring a sketchbook and a few bucks to order off the menu.

Lots of great pizza, pasta, salads, and beverages available. We always meet on the first Tuesday of each month, but will pass on the July meeting which lands on the 4th.

Not one of our monthly meetings, but one of the upcoming events we’ll be a part of is the innagural Memphis Public Libraries Comic Con at the main library on Poplar Avenue. We’ll have an MSCA promo table at the evernt, and several of our members will have their own tables there as well.

The library comic con will have specialo guests artist and former MSCA member Mike Norton and comic writing legend (and “The Suicide Squad” movie star) “Uncle” John Ostrander.

It happens on May 6th, which is also Free Comic Book Day so the library will be giving away loads of comics, trade paperbacks, and graphic novels. Free Comic Book Day is the best day of the year, where comics from publishers like DC Comics and Marvel Comics are given away absolutely free to people at local comic shops. The comics aren’t free to the retailers, so if you can afford to buy something at one of the shops please do. Many stores will be having sales and other rewards for purching items that day.

All comic shops in the Memphis area (Comics & Collectibles/Poplar Ave., The Cellar/Barlett Blvd., 901 Comics/Cooper-Young, and 901 Comics East/Macon Rd.) participate in FCBD. To find a comic shop in your area check out FCBD’s comic shop locator here.

901 Comics East will have the Red Power Ranger, Steve Cordenas, in-store for a signing on FCBD. Steve stars in the recent “Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Once & Always” which is currently showing on Netflix.

And don’t forget that MSCA member Peter Melonas currently has a one-man art show at Theatre Memphis in conjunction with their play “Sherlock’s Last Case“.

Oh, and while you’re at it, be sure to mark on your calendar our next group art show at Germantown Community Theatre – “Drawing Blood“. It will be a Halloween/Horror themed art show with bite this Oct/Nov.

Hope to see you there!

Our upcoming May Drink-N-Draw…

…and our June Sat-Art-Day.

Peter Melonas as a one-man show…”Excellent! I cried. “Elementary,” said he.

Member Peter Melonas has an art show at Theatre Memphis.  See below and attached for more information:

Artists once depended only on galleries to showcase their work and be exhibited, but more venues now are actively seeking and supporting the Midsouth art scene in that role.

If you have walked into Theatre Memphis recently – whether you did so to attend a performance or to view an art exhibition – you may have noticed a type of drawings highlighting a local artist.

A solo performance, by Peter Melonas as a one-man show, which features a Private Investigator and his Inseparable Companion, each image telling a story for the purpose of entertainment. Artists have tended to settle for a hawkish profile for book-cover and magazine artwork but the film studios still seem to feel that virtually anyone can perform as Holmes, so long as they retain the virtual trappings.

I am an artist and not an actor, but if I were to try and showcase an illustration entitled Sherlock’s Last case, I would draw Mr. Holmes on one panel, Dr. Watson on another.

“Sherlock’s Last Case” is an intense and suspenseful play filled with betrayal, thrills, and witty humor; this story picks up where the classic stories end. The Game is Afoot as usual, not everything is as it appears, and the plot confronts the great detective with a unique challenge…straight through to its startling conclusion. This is the Holmes and Watson story you never expected.

April 21 – May 7 at Theatre Memphis performing their production of “Sherlock’s Last Case” on Thursday, Fridays, and Saturdays @ 7:30pm: Sundays @ 2pm

Tickets 901.682.8323 or online at WWW>THEATREMEMPHIS.ORG

Adults $25.00 / Student $15 / Military & Seniors $20


Peter Melonas

Peter Melonas has been a professional illustrator, and graphic designer. Along the way, he has built upon the visual language comics artists have been developing for more than a century.

“Art is not what you see, but what you make others see. Many collectors choose a particular area to collect, while others prefer a more eclectic approach and many have a little of everything! I like to break down my artwork into two subsets: Look at my talent and Tell Me what’s on your walls. what is your passion? I want to grab my viewers right away both emotionally and visually. I want my art to produce a positive and unforgettable “first impression. In other words, I try to prompt viewers to want to find out more about me and my work. I want to give viewers the opportunity to step into my world for a few minutes.”

Peter is also a member of Artists’ Link in Memphis.
Website: www.etsy.com/shop/fancifullart
Website: www.artquid.com/artist/fancifullart/peter-melonas

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(Photo by Steve Roberts)

Theatre Memphis
630 Perkins Extd.
Memphis, Tennessee 38117
www.theatrememphis.org/

Peter will be set up at the Memphis Public Libraries’ Comic Con at the main Poplar Ave. branch on May 6th.

The MSCA Will Be “Drawing Blood” At GCT This Fall!

It’s official- the MSCA will be back at the Germantown Community Theatre this fall and our art show will be “Drawing Blood” – our third show at GCT.

This art show will have “bite” and run in conjustion with their performance of “Dracula: The Bloody Truth” from October 27 – November 12.

The art show will not only be Dracula themed art, but anything horror or Halloween in general- a subject I love and am very familiar with!

We will have a costume optional opening reception in October, so “stay tooned” for more info on it and how to be a part of the art show.

You can join aour mailing list at midsouthcartoonists (at) gmail (dot) com, follow our social media accounts on Facebook or Instagram, or listen to our “Drawing Funny” podcast at www.drawingfunny.com.

Our recent “SPAMalittle: Knights Of The Drawing Table” art show in their lobby was a huge success, and a few of the pieces sold before the show officially opened!

You can count on this next MSCA art show to be batastic..!

Lin