No Spam- Just A Little News About Our MSCA “Spamalittle” Art Show

From MSCA Prez Kevin L. Williams:

Greetings to all digital doodlers, ink slingers, pencil pushers, and wordsmiths, 

After the spectacularly well-received art  show Murica: A Cartoonist’s Take on American History during the presentation of the comedy musical “The Complete History of America: Abridged” at the Germantown Community Theater, the GCT has invited the Mid-South Cartoonists Association to return in Spring 2023 with an art show we call “Spamalittle: Knights of the Drawing Table” which, themed to “Spamalot,” is dedicated to the middle ages! 

The genius comedy “Spamalot” (or as we know it the musical version of Monty Python and the Holy Grail) will be performed March 3 – 19, 2023.  The theater address is: 3037 Forest Hill Irene Rd, Germantown, TN 38138  (We will keep you informed of the Friends & Family night to watch the play and see your art installed {usually the artist + 1}.) 

For the theme, think anything medieval: King Arthur, Knights of the Round Table, Robin Hood, Faerie Tales, and most definitely Monty Python and the Holy Grail!  Lots of great imagery to play with from this period and especially the movie.  If you haven’t seen the play OR the film, check out this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AmtSj4wH5Rg 

Deadline for art will be the dinner gathering on February 7, 2023, so we can get the art show hung before March.  Please commit early with the number of your pieces.  The more who participate, the less work each individual artist has to do to help fill the space. 

MONTY PYTHON’S SPAMALOT – March 3-19, 2023 

Spamalot tells the legendary tale of King Arthur’s quest to find the Holy Grail. Inspired by the classic comedy film, Monty Python and the Holy Grail, the musical features shenanigans including a line of beautiful dancing girls, flatulent Frenchmen, and killer rabbits. Outside, there is plague with a 50% chance of pestilence and famine. Arthur, traveling with his servant Patsy, recruits several knights to accompany him on his quest, including Sir Bedevere, Sir Robin, Sir Lancelot, and Sir Galahad. Besides the rabbits and farting Frenchman, they meet such characters as the Lady of the Lake, Prince Herbert, Tim the Enchanter, Not Dead Fred, the Black Knight, and the legendary Knights who say Ni. 

RULES 

RULE ONE: HAVE FUN!  You can be as funny or literal with the submissions as you like.  It’s a mixed audience, so we want to stay away from far-leaning politics (stay centered) and while innuendo is acceptable keep in mind that kids will be there, too. 

The gallery will take care of sales: artist 60%, theater 40%.   

Let me know if you are interested in participating and how many pieces you wish to submit.  The spaces we need to fill are 4×4’, We can have 4 smaller pieces, 2 or 3 medium pieces, or 1 large piece, to fill the area You can submit one piece of art or 10 pieces.   

Your art can be pencil and/or ink on paper, it can be a fine-art piece; it can be textiles, sculpture, photography, mixed media, trash-to-art – there are a gazillion ways to use art, and we’re always excited to see what people create! 

Art MUST BE turned in by the February 7, 2023, dinner gathering – we’ve all got time to get some art created!  Out of town?  No problem, you can have the art shipped to us to display (you’ll also have to ship it back, btw.) 

Art MUST be ready to hang (wired on back or some other way). 

The art does NOT have to be professionally framed, but DOES have to “look like it.”  For unframed canvas, please use gallery-wrapped canvas and don’t forget to paint the sides of the canvas as well. 

Artists MUST submit their own 3×3” note card listing:-Title-Media used-Price or NFS (Not for Sale)-Artist Name-Ways to contact the artist(Please write clearly or type on white cardstock paper.) 

If you haven’t already, artists MUST send a caricature and bio, including your social media, to be displayed.   

Artists agreeing to participate in art shows will not hold the MSCA nor the location liable or responsible for the artwork submitted.   

If you have not participated in an art show before, we’re all here to help.  Ask questions! 

 

Our good friends at Germantown Community Theater, Annie Freres in particular, has shared a discount code for quite the “holiday party” show there.  Please see the details below.  Special thanks to Annie for the GCT’s generosity!

There is a wonderful Holiday double feature coming next week at GCT and we believe all of your citizens will enjoy this production! If anyone wants to reserve tickets online please tell them to use the promo code “CATIX” for that $12 group price, but otherwise I’m always more than happy to handle reservations over the phone! 

We begin the evening at 6:15 with cocktails and Live music of holiday classic hits with Michael Strickland then at 7pm Marques Brown treats us to One Man’s Christmas Carol- a one man adaptation of the Dickens classic. 

After a brief intermission All Is Calm will take the stage with 4 adult performers and the Houston High Men’s Choir telling the story of the Christmas Truce with beautiful song and story. The evening should end about 9pm. 

As the flyer mentions shows are M-F Dec. 19th – 23rd. We surely hope to see you at the show! 

Happy Holidays!

Annie Freres

Box Office Mgr.

Memberships Save You Money!

Germantown Community Theatre
3037 Forest Hill Irene RD.
Germantown, TN 38138
www.gctcomeplay.org
901.453.7447

 

 

 

 

“It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like Lego…” – Christmas LEGO Display By Kevin Thorn And Upcoming Brick Con

If you are a fan of LEGO have I got a couple local things to share with you.

First up, for the holidays a new Christmas LEGO display by MSCA member Kevin Thorn is now up at the Hernando Public Library for the month of December..!

He and his little helpers have a few new additions and have rearranged the layouts from last year’s display.

Kevin is not only builds with LEGO for fun, but has used the bricks for various projects in his freelance work. He is also one of the Planning Commissioners for the city of Hernando and is currently working on finishing up his PHD at the U of M.

There are two large cases on one wall, and a smaller one across the hall in the west lobby entrance.

If you get a chance to stop by the library, the LEGO display will be up for the rest of December. It is free to experience and open to the public during normal business hours (see below).

if If you didn’t make it out  to see the last two displays Kevin Williams and I did there you can see pics of the MSCA 35th Anniversary and Memphis Ghostbusters displays by clicking the red links or going to the MSCA Facebook page.

If you’d like to share some of your collection and set up a display please contact the Hernando Library-you can scan the QR code for more info.

And like the Southaven Library, the Hernando Library has a lot of art making opportunities. The library is located on Commerce Street near Hwy 51 and the Courthouse Square in Hernando, MS- about 15min from Memphis.

First Regional Library
(Hernando Public Library – established 1950)
370 W Commerce St
Hernando, MS 38632
www.firstregional.org

HOURS:
MONDAY  9:30-7:00
TUESDAY 9:30-7:00
WEDNESDAY 9:30-7:00
THURSDAY 9:30-7:00
FRIDAY 9:30-5:30
SATURDAY 9:30-5:00
SUNDAY CLOSED

And for our second LEGO event…

This spring, the LEGO are coming, the LEGO are coming..! (Yes, the plural of LEGO is “LEGO“.)

Memphis Brick Convention LEGO Fan Expo is coming to Memphis area  at the Landers Center (Southaven, MS) on April 22 & 23, 2023.
LEGO displays, LEGO masters, vendors, meet & greets, & MORE!From their website:Brick Convention is the ultimate LEGO® fan event, built by LEGO fans, for LEGO fans.

Some of North America’s best LEGO® builders will gather to display their incredible LEGO creations in the Fan Display Zone. Professional LEGO artists from around the world will be onsite showing off their works and available for meet-and-greets.

There are THOUSANDS of LEGO® bricks for you to play with in our multiple BUILDING ZONES.

See the latest LEGO® sets to buy as well as specialist retailers selling cool vintage and collectible rare sets and accessories too. Plus lots of fantastic LEGO® themed gift ideas for fans of all ages. 

This is a MUST for all fans of LEGO® whatever their age!

According to their site, “tickets are selling out fast”. You can buy your general admission ticket with an exclusive 20% off by clicking here, otherwise they are $14.99ea. Children 2 years old and younger are free. Valid for Saturday or Sunday, 10am-1pm or 2-5pm. Please note that the exhibit hall will be cleared out at 1pm each day. A portion of the proceeds will go to the all-volunteer nonprofit organization — Creations for Charity.

4560 Venture Drive
Southaven, MS 38671

www.landerscenter.com/events/detail/brick-convention
www.brickconvention.com/

Hope you get a chance to check out Kevin’s LEGO Christmas display and visit the Brick Con.

Lin

The name ‘LEGO’ is an abbreviation of the two Danish words “leg godt”, meaning “play well”. It’s our name and it’s our ideal.

The LEGO Group was founded in 1932 by Ole Kirk Kristiansen. The company has passed from father to son and is now owned by Kjeld Kirk Kristiansen, a grandchild of the founder.

www.lego.com/en-us
www.lego.com/en-us/history/

New “Drawing Funny” Podcast Episode Available- Plus A Short Bonus Episode!

Hey, gang- I’m back to start off Season 3 of the “Drawing Funny” podcast with a new full length episode, as well as a short bonus episode, too!

Episode 47 – “Back To Basics”

Show notes: Well, I’m back to basics on comics and cartooning with this episode of Drawing Funny. After a couple conversations with some new comic creators, I wanted to share some more thoughts I have on creating comics with you the listening audience. Trust me, they’re very basic, but knowing the basics of creating comic books is something I feel can be often overlooked by those new to writing, drawing, printing, and promoting comics (and themselves).

This is a bit of a follow up for Episode 40 – “Where Do I Begin?”.

I also share some local MSCA news about upcoming dinner meetings, current art shows, and plays around town, as well as some very sad Bat-news about the passing of Kevin Conroy– the iconic voice of Batman for 30yrs. Plus I send out some congrats to Joe Stuber on his Comic Book Central podcast’s 9th Anniversary!

Run time: 1hr 4min 42sec

 

MSCA Membership Info – Join Now For Free!

Show notes: So, just what is the MSCA, and how can you join..? Find out in this bonus mini-episode. It should answer all your questions about our the history or our sketchy group and how to be a part of it, but if not there’s plenty of contact info included and ways how you can get those questions answered by me or the MSCA’s prez Kevin L. Williams.

Run time: 10min

You can listen by clicking on the podcast players here, download and subscribe wherever you like to listen to podcasts (Apple, Spotify, Anchor, etc.), or go directly to the show’s website- www.drawingfunny.com

If you’d like to be a guest on the podcast, please let me know at podcast(at)drawingfunny(dot)com or mention it to me at any MSCA event. We can record live, or online over Zoom. I’d love to talk toons with you, and would like to start recording roundtable discussions with members next year. I also would like to hear any thoughts you have on the podcast, plus have you share any art related news you may have about the industry, any art shows or conventions you may know of, and any personal projects you may want to promote.

BTW-  our pandemic inspired podcast just turned 2 years old in October!

 

Oh, I mention it in the recent episodes of the podcast, but don’t forget that the next MSCA dinner meet-up (and last one for 2022) will be Tuesday, December 6th from 6-8pm at Garibaldi’s Pizza, 3530 Walker Avenue near the U of M (www.garibaldispizza.com). We’ll be doing an art swap, have some more freebies to snag, and are looking forward to sharing some exciting news about a few upcoming events in the mid-south.

Keep an eye out for an email from Kevin soon about all the details on the last dinner meeting and art swap, and info on how you can be a part of these new upcoming events in 2023. They’re shaping up to be a lot of fun.

If you’re not on the MSCA email list, contact Kev here- midsouthcartoonists(at)gmail(dot)com, and feel free to download the dinner calendar and MSCA info graphic and share on social media. Oh, and I’m working on putting together an events calendar for this website- should be up between Thanksgiving and the next dinner at Garibaldi’s…fingers crossed!

I hope you all have a Happy Thanksgiving. Stay safe, stay tooned, and keep drawing funny!

Lin

Dale Martin Art Show And Reception At Playhouse On The Square

From MSCA member and zine publisher/editor, Dale Martin:

Hi there, Memphis friends!

I’m hoping that your weekend will be a good one, and I’d like to invite you to kick if off with an opening night reception for my “Beyond the Emerald City” show at Playhouse on the Square (66 South Cooper St.)! It’s this Friday (Nov. 11), from 5-7 p.m., just off the second floor lobby.

Admittedly, this show– a fan art love letter to the novels– is more comfort food than a palate-expanding meal … but sometimes mac & cheese is just what one needs, isn’t it? To stay on-theme, I’m bringing additional Oz goodies (prints, notecards, comics) and original art for sale at the event!

Can’t make it on Friday? My show is on display until Dec. 28, and you can stop in to see it during any of POTS open hours or prior to showtime (“The Wizard of Oz” is playing thru Dec. 22). I’ll also be participating in a Holiday Pop-up on Saturday, Dec. 10 (10-1:30, before that day’s matinee) with Martha Kelly (who also has a beautiful show running now at POTS that you would enjoy) and others. You’ll learn more about that in my next monthly newsletter (if you’re subscribed to it)…

Hope to see you on Friday!

– dale.

P.S. – if you want to sign up for my monthly email newsletter (featuring comics!), you can sign up at the link below…

Newsletter subscription: eepurl.com/bawHc9

Dale Martin, Cartoonist / P.O. Box 11291 / Memphis, TN 38111Handcrafting comics since 1985! www.smearysoapboxpress.com

 

Playhouse on the Square
66 South Cooper Street, Memphis, TN 38104
HOURS: Monday – Friday: 9AM – 5PM
Phone: (901) 725-0776 / Fax: (901) 272-2309
Email: info@playhouseonthesquare.org

Bonus “Drawing Funny” Podcast Episode – Kev’s State Of The Onion Address

Show notes: This is a bonus episode with a quick message from our illustrated MSCA president, Kevin L. Williams to remind everyone of our November 1st dinner meeting this Tuesday night from 6-8pm at Garibaldi’s Pizza (near the UofM). Plus Kev shares some info on our upcoming “Spamalittle: Knights of the Drawing Table” art show at Germantown Community Theatre in March (MSCA member Jim Palmer is starring in GCT’s current play “An Inspector Calls“), and some other plans that be a brewing for the group as we finish out our 35th anniversary year in 2022 and move into 2023. Have any thoughts on what you’d like to see happen with the MSCA in the future..? Then be sure to come out to the dinner meeting, join our mailing list, and/or interact with us on social media.

Hope you have a safe and happy Halloween weekend, and that we get to see you this Tuesday night at Garibaldi’s.

Stay tooned, stay hungry, and keep drawing funny!

Lin

 

LINKS:

Drawing Funny websitewww.drawingfunny.com

Kevin’s art website – www.muleythemule.com

Garibaldi’s Pizza – www.garibaldispizza.com

Germantown Community Theatre – www.gctcomeplay.org/spamalot/

Germantown Community Theatre – www.gctcomeplay.org/an-inspector-calls/

Theme: Silly Bank Heist” and additional music by Steve Oxen. 

©2020 Fesliyan Studios Inc. – music and sound effects used by permission.

Please DO NOT add this audio content to the Youtube Content ID System. I have used background music which is owned by Fesliyan Studios.

Movie quotes and additional sounds from 101soundboards.com. 

Run time: 6min

 

Garibaldi’s Pizza
3530 Walker Ave
Memphis, TN 38111

(901) 327-6111
www.garibaldispizza.com

October Happenings

Hey, gang- got a blog post full of art happenings and MSCA news for you.

We had a good turnout for our October dinner meeting at Garibaldi’s Pizza, and lots more freebies available for attendees. And since it’s October there’s lots more going on around town this month.

MSCA member Dale Martin has a busy month ahead: two art shows – the latest Nasty Women Memphis show Choice at Marshall Arts, 639 Marshall Ave. (closing reception Friday, Oct. 21, 6-8 pm), and OZ inspired art in Beyond the Emerald City at Playhouse on the Square in conjunction with their staging of “The Wizard of Oz” from October 14-December 28, 2022 (artist reception on November 11th and pop-up shop on December 10th)…plus the Memphis Monster Market online now through the end of October!

Get the whole scoop (and the latest Watusi comic) in his October newsletter. You can subscribe in the link below…
https://mailchi.mp/5cc9bec9a392/ssnews1022

Speaking of the Monster Market– it’s currently open online and the in person kickoff party was a blast!

They had an amazing turnout for the one night only event at Marshall Arts.

There was a photo booth, a wall to draw on, framed art on the wall to check out, items to buy…

…and did I mention there was an open bar..?

Lots of fun items were for sale by many of the Monster Makers

…and we saw several familiar faces at the event. The lines to check out were very long but continued to move along throughout the night, right up until closing- which is a great sign!

Like Dale (Smeary Soapbox Press), I’ve got some of my Scared Silly and Monsterpieces for sale.

They had to go online only because of the pandemic, but I hope that next year they can get back to being an in person pop-up shop again.

If not and it’s still a virtual storefront, I do hope they throw another kick-off party like this year’s shindig. Nicki and I had a great time shopping and talking.

Last month MSCA president Kevin Williams and I put up a display at the  First Regional Library in Hernando to celebrate the Mid-South Cartoonists Association’s 35th anniversary. Now  we’ve got a Ghostbusters display up for October.

It’s filled with items from mine and Kev’s personal collections including autographs, patches, and equipment. You can check it out in the library’s lobby all month long during the library’s normal business hours. You can also check out more about our Memphis Ghostbusters group here.

RiverArtsFest is a celebration of fine arts and fine local music with live artist demonstrations and hands-on art activities for all ages. More than 150 artists from around the country and right here in Memphis gather to exhibit and sell their latest works of original fine arts in what’s become the largest juried artist market and urban festival in the Mid-South. The event is Sat, Oct 22 – Sun, Oct 23 from 10:00am-5:00pm. Adult tickets are $10 for 1 day, and $15 for 2 days. Children (6-12yrs) tickets are $5ea and kids 5 and under are free. The 2022 RiverArtsFest will be held on Riverside Drive in Downtown Memphis, TN.

The Midtown Con will be back at Black Lodge (405 N Cleveland) on Saturday, October 29th from 10am-5pm. Admission is $5 and kids 12 and under are free. That same day 901 Comics East on Macon in Cordova will be celebrating Halloween Comic Fest in-store. Free comics, cards, and more will be available.

 

At Crosstown ConcourseFRIGHT-TOBER movies, because “free” fits everyone’s budget, especially artists…

Soulsville USA Festival is 10/15, with free admission to the Stax Museum.

Come see MSCA member Jim Palmer at Germantown Community Theatre(3037 Forest Hill Irene RD., Germantown, TN 38138) in:

AN INSPECTOR CALLS    Oct 21 – Nov 6, 2022 

In 1912 pompous industrialist Arthur Birling, who has hopes of a knighthood, his superior wife Sybil and young son Eric are celebrating the engagement of daughter Sheila to eligible Gerald Croft when they are visited by blunt Inspector Goole. He tells them of the suicide of a young woman named Eva Smith and though they all claim not to have known her the inspector demonstrates that each in their own way contributed to her downfall.

Don’t forget, we’ll be having another MSCA group art show at GCT this spring during their production of Spamalot.

Lonnie Easterling is enjoying working digitally and has been hitting it out of the park with his #FrightFall2022 drawing challenge toons.

This last weekend, DaMarco Randle, the Wades (Martheus, Anakin, Janet), and Kevin Williams participated in this year’s Paint Memphis in the Broad Avenue Arts District area.

Oh, and thanks to 901 Comics for having comics legend Joe Staton in for a couple signing appearances at the first of October. Nicki and I got to stop by the 901 Comics East Macon Rd. location to see Joe and get a few comics signed before heading down to the Monster Market opening.

901 Comics (both locations) along with Comics & Collectibles and The Cellar will be celebrating Halloween Comic Fest on the Saturday before Halloween (Saturday, October 28th) with some freebies while they last. If you can’t make it by, you can still download some free digital comics by clicking here.

Hope you all have a Happy Halloween, and can make it out to our next MSCA dinner meeting on Tuesday, November 1st/All Saints Day from 6-8pm. We might have some surprises for you to enjoy..!

Lin

PS: Happy Birthday to MSCA member/former Prez Charles Ettinger!

Dinner And Drawing – Our Latest MSCA Get Together At Garibaldi’s

Hey, gang- we recently got together for our monthly dinner meet-up at Garibaldi’s Pizza over in the U of M area off Walker and Highland near Southern.

We had a good turnout again this month, and had a good time discussing what everyone has been u to lately and sharing some art.

 

 

More freebies were available for folks who attended. Kevin brought some more MSCA postcards, Jack Chapman brought some art books to give away, and I brought along some Free Comic Book Day comics from my day job at 901 Comics East, more MSCA sketchcard blanks, and a few of the promo trading cards (featuring my art) from the upcoming Nosferatu Series Two card set produced by 4 different publishers: RRParksCARDSAttic CardsLeg Day Cards, and RJF.

I’ll bring a few more freebies to the next meeting in October including the Nosferatu promo cards, and some new MANOS trading cards I just received in the mail.

Oh, don’t forget that  if you stop by any of our local Memphis area comic shops- Comics & Collectibles, The Cellar, and 901 Comics, or The Art Center you can snag some free MSCA and Drawing Funny podcast swag.

We discussed a lot of the recent events like the Zine Fest, and upcoming events like Monster Market, Memphis Comic Expo/DonnieCon, MidTownCon, annual NCS Fest/Reuben Awards, and the ongoing MSCA display at the Hernando Public Library.

annual

The Monster Market is an on-line store which features original art, prints, and other monstrous merch. There will be an in-person open house on October 1st at Marshall Arts. I’ll have some of my “Scared Silly” prints, canvases, buttons, stickers, magnets, and more available for sale there, as well as some of my hand drawn sketchcards. Dale Martin will also be a part of the artist line-up for this year’s market.

The Memphis Comic Expo (AKA “DonnieCon“) is back in the M-Town with over 70,000 square feet of expo space featuring comics, artists & writers, a cosplay contest, panels, vendors, voice actors, food, drinks, and more!

Agricenter International
(Entrance in Wing C)
7777 Walnut Grove Road (near Germantown Pkwy.)
Memphis, TN 38120
FREE PARKING on premise.

Expo Hours:
Saturday 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Sunday 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
VIP Ticket holders will have early entry privileges at 9:30am both days.

Tickets are now on-sale, but VIP tickets have sold out.

Our own Greg Cravens is the Membership Chairman for the National Cartoonists Society and will be in attendance for the NCS’s annual meeting and awards. This year it’s being held in Kansas City, MO. If you’d like to find out more about becoming an NCS member, be sure to ask Greg about it, or check out the NCS website at www.nationalcartoonists.com.

When I got home from the MSCA dinner I had some NCS Icons pins waiting for me in my mailbox. You can order some here. I also recommend checking out the NCSFest online. Lots of great interview, panels, and other cartooning videos to check out.

And speaking of checking out some cartooning, the Hernando Library display cases are full of original art, printed comics and zines, newsletters, promotional materials. art show invitations, and more from the club’s 35 year existence in the Memphis area.

 

We showcased some production art and tools of the trade from back when art was literally cut and paste, like some examples of  our early logo and original promo flyer.

 

We tried to include some original art and notes next to the finished printed materials to show a peek of the  process of creating the art.

It was fun to be art archaeologists and MSCA historians as we dug though the club’s archive box and history scrapbooks. There was so much we had forgotten about or didn’t know about. Definitely a learning experience for Kevin and me. Soooooo much more we wanted to display, but just ran out of room.

 

We’ll see about adding in other items next time. We’d love to do a future  one  featuring original comic art and final printed pages/covers by MSCA members.

If you get a chance to stop by the library it will be up for the rest of September, and will be followed by a Ghostbusters display by the Memphis Ghostbusters. Oh, and for the holidays a LEGO display by Kevin Thorn is coming up in December..!If you can’t make it by, you can see more pics on the MSCA Facebook page, and a few more will be added as soon as I get the pics Kevin took while we were there.

First Regional Library (Hernando Public Library – established 1950)
370 W Commerce St
Hernando, MS 38632
www.firstregional.org

HOURS:
MONDAY  9:30-7:00
TUESDAY 9:30-7:00
WEDNESDAY 9:30-7:00
THURSDAY 9:30-7:00
FRIDAY 9:30-5:30
SATURDAY 9:30-5:00
SUNDAY CLOSED

The dinner meetings are casual and open to the public. Bring whatever art you’ve been working on, favorite art book/comic or recent art tool purchase to show, or some promo swag to hand out- and any art questions you may need answers to.

Please be sure to introduce yourself and let us know you’re there to hang out with the MSCA.

The room is reserved, but occasionally some folks don’t realize it and unintentionally join us.

 

 

This month there was some drawing done during dinner…go figure! There has been talk about trying to get back together to do more zines, and we will have another art show at the Germantown Community Theatre in spring 2033.

Dinner gatherings are always the first Tuesday of the month  starting at 6:30pm (or a bit earlier if you’d like) at Garibaldi’s Pizza, 3530 Walker Ave..Our next one is Tuesday, October 4th.

Feel free to bring a friend or family member, and be sure to bring a few bucks to order off the menu. You and your stomach will be glad you did- lots of great pasta, sandwiches, and pizza to choose from!

Hope you can make it out and join us for dinner…and some cartooning conversation.

Lin

Garibaldi’s Pizza

3530 Walker Ave
Memphis, TN 38111
(901) 327-6111
www.garibaldispizza.com

^Additional photos by Kevin L. Williams.

MSCA On Display In Hernando

Kevin L. Williams and I stopped by the First Regional Library in Hernando, MS on Saturday, September 1st to set up the Mid-South Cartoonists Association 35th Anniversary display.
It was tricky trying to represent the 3 and a half decades of MSCA history, but hopefully this will get the word out about our cartooning group!
The display cases are full of original art, printed comics and zines, newsletters, promotional materials. art show invitations, and more from the club’s 35 year existence in the Memphis area…
…and includes some production art and tools of the trade from back when art was literally cut and paste- wow, how times have changed!!! (The pen with cork is the same that Charles Schulz used to draw the “Peanuts” strips. Greg Cravens brought Kevin and I both one from the Schulz museum in Santa Rosa, CA.)
The displays also show some of the conventions and events we’ve been a part of. We helped start Artists Alley at the Superman Celebration in Metropolis, and have a brick in front of the Noel Neill/Lois Lane statue. Our original one (in photo above) was broken and later replaced. We got to keep the original and Kevin had it glued back together.
Our own Con-Sequential is also represented, as is our involvement with Rock103 and their former morning show, The Wake-Up Crew.
The displays are in the west lobby of the library and are open to the public to see during business hours (see below).
There is a large two sided case on the left side of the hallway…
 
Inside are some of our art show invites like the Drawing Inspiration process show we did with the DeSoto Arts Council, and original art including our Are Cartoons Art? Askew Nixon Ferguson show , NWCC Peanuts/Schulz tribute show, and So Scary It’s Funny/So Funny It’s Scary Halloween show we had at Overton Square.
We would love to do another display to spotlight the MSCA and cartooning in the future- maybe have some original comic pages and the printed comics they’re from, and an art demo by members at the library.
Definitely interested in doing more there. (That’s a pic of Greg Cravens and the late Bob Bindig at the Ohio State Festival Of Cartoon Art, their sketches of Shoney Bear and Big Boy done at the event, and one of Greg’s “Shoney Bear” comics.)
Honestly, there was so much more of the MSCA we wanted to showcase but ran out of room!
If you get a chance to stop by after Labor Day it will be up for the month of September, and will be followed by a Ghostbusters display by us. Oh, and I heard a LEGO display by Kevin Thorn is coming up in December..!
If you can’t make it by, you can see more pics on the MSCA Facebook page, and a few more will be added as soon as I get the pics Kevin took while we were there.
Thanks to head librarian Jesse Pool and his staff. Nicki and I have always enjoy getting to curate different displays at our local library (Batman, DC Comics, Harry Potter, hockey, Star Wars, comics/animation), and hope the folks who visit the library enjoy experiencing them.
It’s great to get to share our collections with others, and love getting to discuss them with the people passing by as we’re setting the displays up.


I hope you get a chance to come out and see it all!

Lin


First Regional Library
(Hernando Public Library)
370 W Commerce St
Hernando, MS 38632
www.firstregional.org

established 1950

HOURS:
MONDAY  9:30-7:00 (Closed Labor Day)
TUESDAY 9:30-7:00
WEDNESDAY 9:30-7:00
THURSDAY 9:30-7:00
FRIDAY 9:30-5:30
SATURDAY 9:30-5:00
SUNDAY CLOSED

One Week Until Dinner…Hope To See You At Garibaldi’s Next Tuesday!

Just a quick reminder about our upcoming MSCA dinner meet-up for next month on Tuesday, September 6th– which is next week already!

We’ll be getting together again around 6 or 7’ish at the U of M Garibaldi’s Pizza at 3530 Walker Ave. – right across from Tiger Books Store and just off the Highland Strip (heads up- there may still be some road construction on Highland).

The dinner meetings are always free and open to the public, but you may want to bring a few extra bucks to order something off the menu to eat and/or drink.

Also, be sure to bring some of your latest work and something to draw with. Doodling does happen during these events, and it doesn’t matter what hand (or foot) you draw with.

We’ll be discussing the upcoming MSCA display in September at the Hernando Public Library, and our group art show at the Germantown Community Theatre next year. We will have some freebie swag for those who attend. If you have any news you’d like to share with the group please do!

Hope to see you there, but if you can’t make it this time be sure to mark the 1st Tuesday of each month on your calendar.

“CONnnnnnnnnn…!!!” – News On Upcoming Cons And Events

Well, the San Diego Comic Con may be over, but that doesn’t mean that con season is over. Lots of events still to come…and a big one is returning to our own backyard!

That’s right- the Memphis Comic Expo (AKA “DonnieCon“) is back in the M-Town with over 70,000 square feet of expo space featuring comics, artists & writers, a cosplay contest, panels, vendors, voice actors, food, drinks, and more!

Agricenter International
(Entrance in Wing C)
7777 Walnut Grove Road (near Germantown Pkwy.)
Memphis, TN 38120
FREE PARKING on premise.

Expo Hours:
Saturday 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Sunday 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
VIP Ticket holders will have early entry privileges at 9:30am both days.

Tickets are now on-sale, but VIP tickets have sold out.

2 DAY GENERAL ADMISSION TICKET

  • $45 if purchased by August 31, 2022
  • $50 if purchased on or after September 1, 2022

SATURDAY GENERAL ADMISSION TICKET

  • $35 if purchased by August 31, 2022
  • $40 if purchased on or after September 1, 2022

SUNDAY GENERAL ADMISSION TICKET 

  • $30 if purchased by August 31, 2022
  • $35 if purchased on or after September 1, 2022

CHILD TICKET – age 12 and under – FREE

  • Kids 12 and under get in FREE when supervised by a paying adult.  Unaccompanied children will not be admitted.

This year’s MCX has a HUGE guest list including SCOTT SNYDER, GREG CAPULLO, JIM STARLIN, MARK WAID, JAMES O’BARR, DENYS COWAN, MARC BERNARDIN, KEVIN NOWLAN, RON MARZ, DAN BRERETON, DEXTER VINES, and of course it wouldn’t be a DonnieCon without MIKE NORTON drawin’ dogs at the AggiCenter!!!

Plus there will be lots and lots of local creators including many of our own MSCA members. I’ll post a blog here featuring all of them soon- MEMPHIS REPRESENT!

Speaking of MSCA members, “Sour Grapes” creator Tim Jones will be a featured guest in the Artists Alley at Fan X up in Boston this coming weekend!

AUGUST 12-14 2022
BOSTON CONVENTION & EXHIBITION CENTER
www.fanexpohq.com/fanexpoboston

 

Also, here are a few other events that will be coming up in the Mid-South area

Memphis Comic and Fantasy Convention
November 18/19/20, 2022
Memphis Marriot East
5795 Poplar Ave.
Memphis, TN 38111

Coming up on November 5th at the Dyersburg Comic Con– Marvel/DC/Archie comic artist Steven Butler, local comic artist Larry Cathey, wrasslin’ historian Mark James, and special guest, Jackson “SHAZAM!” Bostwick. The show is at the The Lannom Center, 2000 Commerce Ave, Dyersburg TN. 38024. Admission is $10, and they offer a $15 early bird special. Find out more at dyersburgcomiccon.comor check out their Facebook page.


Monster Market is an online pop-up shop stocked with this year’s curated collection of maker-made goods open October 3rd – 31st!

The Monster Market 2022 Kick-Off Party will be Saturday October 1st at Marshall Arts Gallery in Memphis, TN (near Sun Studios). They will be selling a small selection of the inventory (not everything!) at this event, as a sort-of exclusive preview night for their Memphis customers.

Dale Martin and I (Lin Workman) will both have art for sale at the Monster Market.

MONSTER MARKET
memphismonstermarket.com
instagram.com/monster.market

DeSoto Arts Council– Hernando, MS.

Special Halloween edition of Midtown Con Sat Oct 29th at Black Lodge!

Vendors interested in selling comics, toys and records please DM them on Facebook for info.

Black Lodge
405 N. Cleveland Ave, Memphis, TN
www.blacklodgememphis.com/

Not Memphis, but within driving distance to Hunstville, AL– home of the U.S. Space & Rocket Center.

Rocket City Toy and Comic Expo 2022
October 1st 10-5
Jaycee Building at John Hunt Park
2180 Airport Rd SW
Huntsville, AL 35801

Find toys from all your childhood favorites and comics from golden age to modern. There will be over 50 vendor booths with a great mix of toys and comics.
Admission is $5 and kids 12 and under are FREE.

For vendor information email: ROCKETCITYTOYCOMICEXPO@GMAIL.COM

Watertower Festival – Court Square in Hernando, MS (Free admission)

Arkansas Comic Con
September 10, 2022 | 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
September 11, 2022 | 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Statehouse Convention Center
Little Rock, AR

Covington Comic Con
August 20-21, 2022
Covington Civic Center
100 W Washington Ave.
Covington, TN 38019

Elvis Week
August 11-17, 2022
Memphis, TN

Lots to see and do around Memphis and down in Tupelo, MS. Check out the Memphis Tourism  and Graceland/EPE websites for more info.

901 Comics presents Comic Book Trivia at Flip Side on the last Wednesday of each month.
Pool, Pinball & A Pint.. Located across the street from Crosstown Concourse, 16 pinball machines, one foosball table, dart board and pool table.

Flip Side
1349 Autumn Ave, Memphis, TN 38104
#SeeYouOnTheFlipSide

Oh, and don’t forget that this September we will have a month long MSCA 35th Anniversary display in the lobby of the Hernando Public Library in Hernando, MS.

They have one large 2-sided display case and another smaller single case on the opposite wall.

Nicki and I have done several lobby displays for them in the past including Batman ’66, Star Wars, Harry Potter, hockey, comics, and an animation one.

Kevin and I will also be doing a “Ghostbusters” display there in October.

Hope you get to check out these events. If you know of any others happening around our area, or if you’re a member and are going to be a guest and/or setting up at a show please shoot us the info on it and I’ll be happy to share it here, on our MSCA Facebook page, and Drawing Funny podcast.

Lin