April 11: Laura Lee Gulledge’s New Graphic Novel Book Launch in Charlottesville

THE DARK MATTER OF MONA STARR, A NEW GRAPHIC NOVEL EXPLORING MENTAL HEALTH BY LOCAL AUTHOR, LAUNCHES AT THE BRIDGE PAI

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA (March 5th 2020) - The Bridge PAI will be hosting a book launch for local author and artist Laura Lee Gulledge’s new YA graphic novel THE DARK MATTER OF MONA STARR. (Abrams Books)

This free interactive event for ages 10 and up will take place Saturday April 11th 2020 from 1:30 to 4:00pm at the Bridge Progressive Arts Initiative located at 209 Monticello Road.

 This event is the official launch party which will feature hands-on art activities inspired by the book as well as a station where guests can learn how to make their own self care plan. Plus there will be a live reading from the book, projected drawing videos, free door prizes, and celestial inspired cookies by Bowerbird Bakeshop. Drinks from Potter's Craft Cider and signed books will be available for purchase.

The graphic novel is about a depressed teen named Mona who is struggling with her “Matter,” which is how Gulledge personifies depression. Gulledge, a former Louisa County public school art teacher, strives to use her stories to help inspire readers to overcome their inner doubts and fears through modeling healing, expression, and Artner love. In creating the book Gulledge received support from McGuffey Art Center, numerous Patron supporters, and a local SOUP grant through New City Arts Initiative.

“I’m excited that Mona’s story is part of a broader conversation about our collective mental health, especially for young people. Some have even coined this new sub-genre of comics as ‘graphic medicine.’ I think comics as an art form can express such emotionally charged content in a uniquely visceral, accessible way. For oftentimes when I’m struggling I don’t have the right words to express how I’m feeling…but I do have pictures.”

 

"I will also be at Awesome Con May 1-3rd in Washington DC during my book tour. Here's the book trailer in case you'd like to check it out: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jJuE2UaS49Y "

LAURA LEE GULLEDGE is an Eisner Award nominated author, illustrator, and teaching artist. She is the creator of the YA graphic novels Page by Paige and Will & Whit in addition to her interactive book Sketchbook Dares: 24 Ways to Draw Out Your Inner Artist. Laura Lee also enjoys exploring comics journalism, interactive event production, contemplative dance, street art, and developing the Will & Whit DIY musical. She is based in Charlottesville and found online at whoislauralee.com.

Laura Lee's Website & Blog 

#artnerlove

Jim Shooter Signing (Charlottesville, VA)

A little off the beaten path (Charlottesville), but Former EIC of Marvel and founder of Valiant Comics Jim Shooter is coming to Atlas Comics, (1750 Rio Hill Center, Charlottesville, VA 22901) on Friday, February 12, 2010 from 3:30-5:00pm.

From the PR:

After beginning his comic book career at age 13, Shooter has written acclaimed stints on Legion of Super-Heroes, The Avengers, Harbinger, and many other titles.

Presently he’s at work on Dark Horse Comics’ revival of Gold Key’s Magnus Robot Fighter, Doctor Solar, and other characters. The first of those stories debuts on Free Comic Book Day, May 1, 2010.

For more information on Atlas Comics or the signing, visit their website or call (434) 974-7512.

Impera et Divide exhibit in Charlottesville, VA UPDATED

Just some quick notes and photos as Sara Duke is doing the formal writeup for the International Journal of Comic Art.

Sara and I took a meandering trip down, stopping at antique stores and trying to stump each other with obscure comics knowledge. As previously noted here, the exhibit is in the non-profit Second Street Gallery, Charlottesville, Virginia.

It has six artists - Frédéric Coché (France), Aerim Lee (South Korea), André Lemos (Portugal), Ilan Manouach (Greece), Andrei Molotiu (US) and Fabio Zimbres (Brazil) and was curated by Pedro Moura (Portugal) and Charlottesville's Warren Craghead III. Although Pedro declared that the art was all just 'comics,' these really are art comics. A companion book, Divide et Impera, by Pedro gives a good overview of the artists and their artwork. Pedro, Warren and Andre were at the show, and it was a pleasure to meet with them and talk about the exhibit. Andre did a special mini-comic/zine just for the exhibit and probably on the plane flight over. I bought a copy of this, the exhibit companion book, and many of the other publications for sale for Michigan State University's Comic Art Collection should one like to see them in the future.

The exhibit suffered somewhat from being trimmed significantly at the last moment due to a smaller gallery size than expected. The version shown in Amador in Portugal was much larger and included Craghead's work which was left out of this version. Of the artists, I was only familiar with Zimbres previously (and Molotiu's academic writing on comics). I'll leave it to Sara to get into the details, but I was especially taken with Cloche's aquatint comics - essentially he engraves a plate and prints 10 of them (according to Pedro) and then cleans the plate. He sells the engravings while reproductions of the art make up his books, 3 of which were on display from Warren's collection. Sara was taken with the work of Ms. Lee, which was eyepopping in color. Much of the artwork is for sale.

Due to the smaller size of the show, many pieces couldn't be displayed, but Pedro took us back to look through them. If you're interested, I would imagine arrangements can be made with the gallery. One could probably buy the book from them through the mail as well, and perhaps the other publications.

There's a blog by Craghead at http://imperaetdivide.blogspot.com/ which has pictures as well.

Here's my photographs, largely taken as a mnemonic device for writing a review:

Frédéric Coché (France)

Ilan Manouach (Greece)

Fabio Zimbres (Brazil)

Andrei Molotiu (US)

André Lemos (Portugal)

Frédéric Coché (France) books

Aerim Lee (South Korea)

Aerim Lee (South Korea)

Warren Craghead exhibit in Charlottesville

Gallery owner Rob Jones sent in the following PR about his Warren Craghead show in Charlottesville:

The Dot and The Line
Drawings by Warren Craghead and Brian Mallman
Migration: A Gallery
Charlottesville, Virginia
www.MigrationGallery.com

This show's opening is past, but it will remain up until the end of January.

Here are a couple of reviews:

http://artpark.typepad.com/artblog/2008/12/drawings-by-warren-craghead-and-brian-mallman.html

http://artpark.typepad.com/artblog/2009/01/the-dot-and-the-line.html (- this link leads to a post with a free downloadable Craghead book - Mike).

Rob Jones
www.artPark.typepad.com
fresh air art blogging