Staff Cartoonists Make a Comeback
by: Rob Tornoe
August 27 Comcast Outdoor Film Festival
DESPICABLE ME (PG)
7:30 pm, FREE, with tickets
Taught by Janice Shapiro
Monday, October 3, 7 - 9:30 p.m.
The graphic memoir is an exciting development in modern literature, filling the niche between prose and film. As exemplified by Art Spiegelman's Maus, Harvey Pekar's American Splendor, and Alison Bechdel's Fun Home, the combination of images and words strengthens, magnifies, and illuminates in unique ways the large and small truths of life. In this class we will look at examples of graphic memoirs and analyze and discuss the visual and storytelling techniques. Then everyone will have the opportunity to draft a one-page graphic memoir about a significant moment in his or her life. The moment does not have to be momentous: It can be funny, tragic, embarrassing, heroic or just about a surprising, cool observation, as long as the moment has resonance. This class is open to everyone and I mean, everyone! No background (or particular talent!) in art or writing is required. Just come with a desire to express yourself in a fresh, fun and exciting way.
Please bring paper and pencils; the instructor will provide additional supplies.
About the Instructor
Janice Shapiro is a writer, graphic memoirist and screenwriter. She is the author of Bummer and Other Stories (Soft Skull Press, $14.95). Her stories and comics have been published in The North American Review, The Santa Monica Review, Fifty-Two Stories, Storyville, Devil's Lake, The Seattle Review, and Mixer Publications.
Price: $40 ($35 members)
Suggested book: An Anthology of Graphic Fiction, Cartoons, and True Stories, edited by Ivan Brunetti (Yale Univ., $28)
Other recommended books:
One! Hundred! Demons!, by Lynda Barry
Paying for It, by Chester Brown
Stitches, by David Small
These four books will be discounted 20% for class participants.
*This class will meet in a private room at Jake's American Grille, 5018 Connecticut Avenue NW, across the street from Politics & Prose. Participants may gather in the fiction room at P&P at 6:45 and then walk to Jake's with the instructor. Light appetizers will be provided, other food and beverages are available for purchase, including beer and wine.
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Number 1:
You are cordially invited to an art exhibit and sale. The Del Ray Artisans Exhibit for the month of September theme is 'Retakes & Transformations . . . Art From Everyday Life' - September 2 - October 2, 2011. The Del Ray Artisans Gallery is located at 2704 Mount Vernon Avenue, Alexandria, VA., 22301-1124. Opening reception is Friday, September 2, 7 - 10 p.m. John G. Fantucchio will be there for the reception. John will have two paintings - one is titled 'Phil and Mac,' and the other is titled ' The Edge of Truth.' These have two completely different approaches and different media, and both are thought-provoking and haunting paintings. Other paintings by Del Ray artists will also be on exhibit and for sale. Bring a friend. Mouth-watering food and drink will be served. A unique opportunity to meet other patrons of the arts, and a good time to talk with John and ask him questions about his works. If you're not able to attend the reception, John will also make a special appearance on Sunday, September 18, 12:30 - 3:30. Now is the time to corner him on the hows and meanings of his works. Looking forward to seeing you there.
Number 2:
You are cordially invited to the 41st Annual Labor Day Art Show at Glen Echo Park in the Spanish Ballroom, 7300 MacArthur Boulevard, Glen Echo, Maryland 20812. John G. Fantucchio will be there Sunday, September 4, 2011, between 12 and 3 p.m. John will have two paintings on exhibit. One is titled 'Aerea Fresca,' a large mixed media painting; the other is also a mixed media, titled 'Ayuh, Maine.' These will both give you a breath of fresh air, and you'll want to touch the beautifully textured surface - but don't! John says 'touch with your eyes only.' They are not behind glass, and both are appropriately framed. You will find John in the Spanish Ballroom exhibit hall at Glen Echo Park. If you don't remember what John looks like, he's about 6 feet tall, losing his hair, and has a gray beard - very much like Monte Woolley in the old time movie ' The Man Who Came To Dinner.' Refreshments may be purchased outside the ballroom, and if you want to relax, you can always jump on to the carousel. You may bring a picnic lunch - there are picnic tables. Great for kids and the young at heart. Bring a camera. Many other paintings by local artists will be on display. This is a good time to see John and talk art with him. If you haven't been to Glen Echo before, or if it's been a while, bring your spouse and kids, a friend - you owe yourself a nice cool day off. Looking forward to seeing you there.
Animation, Content And Cultural Coding: The Cartoon Study
by Linda Holmes
National Public Radio's Monkey See blog (August 17, 2011)
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Hey, we need a little help from those of you that will be staying at the Marriott. Here is the scoop. We reserve a block of rooms every year at the 'special' rate, this year being $109/night w/o taxes. If we do not fill a certain percentage of those rooms by a specific date, which right now is August 19 (trying to get it extended, will keep you posted..) we then have to pay the Marriott the difference. At this point we are 37 rooms short, which means we would pay the Marriott $4625. Money we would much rather give to the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund. So, if anyone is out there that just has not gotten around to making their reservations, please make them ASAP. This would help us out alot. Here is the web site for the hotel: http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/wasbn-bethesda-north-marriott-hotel-and-conference-center/ Use EXPEXPA in the Group Code field under "Special Rates and Rewards" right above the FIND button on the left hand side of the page below where you enter the dates for your rooms. Oh, if for some reason you see a cheaper rate out there that you use, please send me an e-mail at warren@spxpo.com so we can get credit for your rooms. Thanks a ton for your help, we appreciate it!! See all of you soon, Warren |
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