“Spamalittle and Drawalot” – Our Latest MSCA Art Show and Sat-Art-Day Events

It been a very busy (and wet) couple of weeks here for our merry band of cartoonists, but overall it was a lot of fun.

First up was our “Spamalittle: Knights Of The Drawing Table” art show reception at Germantown Community Theatre on Friday night.

This is the second art show that the MSCA has exhibited in the lobby of GCT, and apparently we’ll be back for another next season.

GCT will be announcing their next season on March 9th, and we’ll be announcing that show shortly after.

This art show featured “Monty Python and the Holy Grail” inspired artwork on display (and for sale) by our members.

Lots of great takes on that epic Monty Python movie! You can see more pics by heading on over to the MSCA Facebook page.

We also got to enjoy a live performance of “Find Your Grail” by Sir Muley and Annie Freres who performs as ‘The Lady Of The Lake“). This video can also be seen on our Facebook page.

I really enjoyed catching up with A.G. Howard. We talked about many of our misdaventures togeher back in our airbrush days, and some of our recent health scares and brushes with death..! Yeah, it’s been a scary few years for many of us, but always great to still be able to get together for events like this.

The cold rain and scary weather around the midsouth kept the attendance down a bit, but definitely not the sales! Several of the show’s pieces were sold that night, and two were sold before we even got set up for the reception. Heck, the show hasn’t even officially opened yet and it’s been one of our most successful ones yet.

Thanks to Kevin Williams and DaMarco Randle for hanging the art show and setting up the refreshments table for the reception. And thanks to everyone who participated in the show, braved the bad weather, and bought art. Big thanks to the staff and volunteers at GCT for having us back out again, and again.

You can check out the show for yourself at the theater during their normal box office business hours and during Spamalot performances.

The Spamalittle art show runs in conjunction with their production of Spamalot The Musical” March 3-19 at GCT – 3037 Forest Hill Irene Rd.👑

9014537447:Box Office    9014537444:Main  Box Office:office@gctcomeplay.org

The next morning many of us were drawn together for our latest Sat-Art-Day at 901 Comics East out on Macon Road.

It was another full house for our latest sketchy Saturday in the back gallery room at 901 Comics’ Cordova location. We were surrounded by a lot of comic art on the walls – including some original comic book pages from”The Walking Dead“.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We had some of our regular attendees, as well as some new faces there. Was great to have Izzy and Timothy join us this time, and I hope they can make it back for future Sat-Art-Days and other MSCA  events.

Many folks brought their own stuff to draw with/on, but we also provided extra art supplies such as markers, pencils, pens, paper, and sketchcards for anyone who needed them.

And they were put to good use.

Like the night before at the art show reception, it was cold and wet outside, but warm, dry, and a lot of fun inside. We only heard the occasional bit of rain hitting the roof while we sketched.

The only rules we have other than have fun and be respectful of your felllow artists is that if you’re not old enough to drive yourself to the comic shop, you need to have a parent or guardian come with you.

They’re welcome to sit and draw as well, play a game in the gaming area, or hang out and watch some TV at the bar.

The shop serves beer on tap and in cans, but you don’t have to just drink beer. 901’s “Bar With No Name” also serves sodas, bottled water, snacks, and personal sized pizzas.

We’ll be back out at 901 for another Sat-Art-Day on March 25th, as well as another Drink-N-Draw event on March 15th, the Wednesday before St. Patrick’s Day.

901 Comics (both locations) also sells many locally created comics including several comics series made by MSCA members.

One of those Memphis made comics is “Stoned Ninja“.

It (and others) are published by 901’s Shannon Merritt and his own Bad Dog Comics Publishing.

And speaking of  Stoned Ninja, the creative team behind it will teach you what they know about making comics all while enjoying a beer at Crosstown Brewery (1264 Concourse Avenue, Crosstown Concourse) on March 23rd from 6-8pm.

Join writer Gabe DeRanzo and the MSCA’s own Greg Cravens (The Buckets, Hubris, Shoney Bear) as they teach the next class in Crosstown’s Creative Juices sereies- which are instuctional classes for the creative 901.

They’ll be throwing out lots of comic knowlege, and knowing Greg- probably a lot of ninja star stickers as well.

\

Everyone in the class will get:

  • A written breakdown of The Process, spelling out the steps and the order in which they have to be taken
  • A full size comic book practice page that you classroom creators will pencil your own dialogue, characters, and action into.
  • One beer will be included in ticket price for those of legal drinking age. Must present ID at the bar to get your beer. Minimum age for this class is 13 years old.

TIckets are $30.00ea and can be purchased through eventbrite by cliking here.

Our next upcoming MSCA event is the monthly dinner meet-up at Garibaldi’s Pizza on Walker Ave. near the U of M on Tuesday, March 7th from 6-8pm.✏️🍕

The meeting is casual, free, and open to the public. Do feel free to bring your sketchbook, tablet, or other drawing supplies if you like, as well as any promo items you might want to share with the group. Plus bring a few bucks to order off the menu if you’d like anything to eat or drink. Like the Sat-Art-Days, any age or skill level is welcome to join us, just bring a parent with you if you can’t drive yourself there. We meet on the 1st Tuesday of the month (except for the 4th of July this summer).

And be sure to “Stay Tooned” for the next episode of the Drawing Funny Podcast which will be dropping later this week….which reminds me- I need to record it!

Later,

Lin

Putting Our Best Foot Forward…”Spamalittle” Art Show Reception This Friday!

The MSCA artshow is afoot..!

Our “Spamalittle: Knights Of The Drawing Table” art show reception is this Friday, February 24th from 5:30-8pm at Germantown Community Theatre.

The art show will be on display in the theater’s lobby from March 3-19 during their run of the Monty Python musical, “Spamalot“. The show can be viewed during the theater’s norman business hours, and the art reception on Friday is free and open to the public.

The following day- Saturday, February 25th is our next Sat-Art-Day at 901 Comics East (on Macon Road) from 10am-2pm.

This event is also is free and open to the public. You can bring your sketchbok, art tablet, supplies, or whatever art project you’d like to work on- or, we’ll have extra art supplies on hand including pencils, pens, markers, paper, and more. All artists of any skill level or age is welcome. If you’re not old enough to drive, have a parent drive and accompany you.

The Sat-Art-Days aren’t actually art classes, but more of a social drawing session. It is a great oppourtunity to learn from others, share what you know- or just get out of the house and draw.

We also have another Drink-N-Draw scheduled for the week of St. Patrick’s Day. 901 Comics East has a bar that serves beer, sodas, water, and snacks.

And don’t forget that our next MSCA monthly dinner meet-up at Garibaldi’s Pizza is always the first Tuesday of the month, and our next one is happening on March 7th, from 6-8pm.

Hope to see you there!

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