Joost Swarte at SPX!

from the New Yorker, Feb 19 2007.

Joost Swarte, one of my absolutely favorite artists will be at the Small Press Expo this year:

Small Press Expo Announces New Yorker Artist Joost Swarte As The First Guest for SPX 2008

For Immediate Release Contact: Warren Bernard
E-Mail:webernard@mindspring.com

Bethesda, Maryland; June 16, 2008 - The Small Press Expo (SPX), the preeminent showcase for the exhibition of independent comic books, graphic novels and alternative political cartoons, is proud to announce that we hosting the internationally famous Dutch cartoonist and designer Joost Swarte as the first guest for SPX 2008.

This year, SPX will be held Saturday, October 4 and Sunday, October 5 at The North Bethesda Marriott Convention Center in Bethesda, Maryland.

Mr. Swarte is best known to American audiences for his covers and illustrations for The New Yorker, along with his internationally recognized comic and poster work. He has extended his unique cartoon style into the world of industrial design by designing stained glass installations, sculptures and furniture, as well as the Toneelshuur Theater in Haarlem, The Netherlands. SPX is proud to host Mr. Swarte in one of his rare United States appearances.

Additional guests will be added over the next few weeks, please stay tuned for those announcements.

For further information on SPX, go to the website at http://www.spxpo.com.

To request an interview or other media related inquiries, please contact Warren Bernard at webernard@spxpo.com.

SPX, a non-profit organization, brings together more than 300 artists and publishers to meet their readers, booksellers and distributors each year. Graphic novels, political cartoon books and alternative comics will all be on display and for sale by their authors and illustrators. A series of panel discussions will also be held of interest to readers, academicians and creators of graphic novels and political cartoons.

SPX will be open to the public from 11 am - 7 pm, Saturday, October 4 and Noon - 6 pm Sunday, October 5. Admission is $8 for a single day and $15 for both days.

SPX culminates with the presentation of the 12th Annual Ignatz Awards for outstanding achievement in comics and cartooning that will occur Saturday night, October 4. The Ignatz is the first Festival Prize in the US comic book industry, with winners chosen by balloting during the SPX.

As in previous years, all profits from the SPX will go to support the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund (CBLDF), protecting the First Amendment rights of comic book readers and professionals. For more information on the CBLDF, go to their website at http://www.cbldf.org/.

Founded in 1994, SPX is North America's premier alternative comic-book festival. This annual event brings together comic creators, publishers and more than 3000 fans together to celebrate the art of storytelling.