Greetings, to all our favorite ink slinging, pencil pushing, digital doodling, wordsmithing, and enthusiast/collector folks!
Usually, I’ve already submitted a mid-month email; but, the month has been busy (and/or I’ve been lazy). But, there are a few things still worth sharing, so let me get this to you by reminding you…
As I write this, we’re expecting snow tonight so I have to run and get a loaf of bread, a container of milk, and a stick of butter. (10 points if you get that reference!
Be sure to check out www.midsouthcartoonists.org and www.drawingfunny.com for more information.
Thanks for being a part of all this,
Kevin Williams,
MSCA President
DINNER GATHERING
On Tuesday, March 4, 2025, bring your food money, art, collections, and ideas to Garibaldi’s Pizza, 3530 Walker Ave, Memphis, near the University of Memphis from 6–8 pm. The MSCA meets on the first Tuesday of each month in the big room on the right at the U of M Garibaldi’s. For more info click here.
MSCA SURVEY 2025
I figured I’d give us until the March dinner gathering for everyone to complete this, so if you haven’t yet, please do:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1w5xIBxMQTHKXV0FiImWNH5vk7jGmgs9TrmKJnzoAYgk
CON CARDS WITH GREG CRAVENS
The creator of Con Cards gaming, Greg Cravens, has shared that next Tuesday, February 25, they’re rolling out the two new LeBonheur decks, and the SuperCuties and RaptorBoy decks. Then, Con Cards is holding an event at 901Games on Broad Ave at 6pm on Wednesday, March 5, 2025. (Watch for news about a speed tournament at MidSouth Con.)
GOOD BAD AND SKETCHY
Have you already emailed MSCApub@gmail.com (copy midsouthcartoonists@gmail.com, please) with your page count for the next issue: Food & Drink? Due date for art is April 1 (no joke!), but we need to get a page count soon. Think about how to include the idea of restaurants, family dinners, coffee shops, bars (keep it family-friendly), picnics, grocery stores, etc. Or, just have your character holding a drink or hot dog. Be sure to also indicate your page count, and how many extra copies of the zine you wish to have ($3/page to play, $1 each additional copy.)
MSCA ART SHOW – PLAYHOUSE ON THE SQUARE
Katie Jones has secured a space for the MSCA to present an art show at Playhouse on the Square, June 13 – 28, 2025. This will not be themed, but more of what I like to call a “kitchen sink” art show in which you can put up for sale any theme, any style, any subject of art as long as it is yours. New or old. The date to turn in the art is June 3, 2025, dinner gathering.
They do require one piece to be donated (they are 501c3) for their auction, but this will need to be prior to mid-March (this can be a print or original) for their Art Party fundraiser. This can be delivered to the theatre directly to Whitney Jo (on the second floor).
All art must be framed and hangable. There will be a $5/piece hanging fee for the art show art.
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
PORTFOLIO REVIEW INTEREST?
I’m considering an MSCA event where a few of our members will be on hand at a location for artists to bring their portfolios for review. Who would be interested in participating as a reviewer? I would want to keep it positive and educational for those attending. Please let me know at our next dinner meeting, in our MSCA survey, or by email.
DALE MARTIN SHARES:
* Dale Martin’s newest newsletter (with the scoop on his next show, what’s on his drawing board, and more) is at https://smearysoapboxpress.wordpress.com/2025/02/05/ssnews0225/
* Want to practice your observational drawing? Memphis Urban Sketchers meets at a different spot around town on the first Saturday of every month, and is a great chance to relax and draw. Find out where they’ll be drawing next on their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/160831813933182/
* The Memphis Botanic Garden has a fun show of sculptures by Thomas Dambo running thru 5/21. Find out more at https://membg.org/trolls/
* Even during the best of times, this algorithm never treated my comic posts that highly. So, whenever you feel the need to scratch that Watusi itch, I invite you to pop on over to Ko-Fi
(ko-fi.com/smearysoapbox) … of course you can continue to read them on my website (watusithetalkingdog.com) … or subscribe to my newsletter.
ROGUES GALLERY: RISING – MAY 10, 2025
Applications (click here) are open until April 12 at midnight for the next Rogues Gallery.
Katie Jones shares:
Our very first event of Rogue’s Gallery 2nd year entitled Rogue’s Gallery: Rising, with poster Artist Guest of Honor and official logo artist @mattbowersmemphis, opened artist and maker applications on January 24th Stay tuned to this space! Applications will close on April 12th at midnight!
It’s bigger on the inside. Become one of us! Be weird, make weird art, and be awkward.
A show created by artists for artists and exclusively for artists.
SEC/NCS ANNUAL MEETING
It is happening in Knoxville, TN, from April 25 – 27, 2025.
HOTEL
The Crowne Plaza Knoxville
401 W Summit Hill Drive, Knoxville, TN 37902
They have offered us an amazing deal:
$150 per night (taxes included) for us.
Plus $15/day parking fee if you stay the night (day visitors will not be charged)
Normal rates for that weekend are $354 per night!
BOOK YOUR ROOM
National Cartoonist Society – BOOKING LINK
When you click on the link, it takes you to their hotel screen. Click the box “View Prices “in the top right corner. On the next screen you will need to insert the group dates you want. If you insert dates other than the group dates the appropriate rate will not show up.
Or, you can call the In-house Reservations: 877-424-2449
You will need to secure your room by early March to get that rate. The earlier you register, the better we look and the better chance you have of not losing that awesome rate.
MEMPHIS LIBRARY COMIC CON – MAY 31, 2025
If you’d like to sign up, please follow this link. There are plenty of rules to check out, too, so be sure you read everything.
https://www.memphislibrary.org/events/mpl-comic-con-vendor-application/
Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library – Memphis Public Library (main branch)
3030 Poplar Ave. Memphis, TN 38111
(901) 415-2700
WOMAN’S EXCHANGE ART
March 5 – June 13, 2025, details below.
Peter Melonas shared:
Woman’s Exchange Art in the Tea Room
Artist are invited to submit artwork for exhibit consideration for Art in the Tea Room at the Woman’s Exchange of Memphis (The WE), at 88 Racine Street, Memphis 38111. Art in the Tea Room will have four to six shows per year, each show based on a theme, featuring the work of multiple artists.
The exhibition space consists of two walls totaling 27 linear feet, dedicated to displays of 2-dimensional artwork that is for sale. Artwork considered for exhibit will be selected on size, price, and appropriateness for the stated theme. This ongoing program offers a new selling venue for promoting and supporting artists in the Memphis-area community while enhancing the enjoyable Tea Room ambience for luncheon guests, visitors, and attendees to Woman’s Exchange events.
Art in the Tearoom is available for viewing and purchasing art Monday–Friday, 10am to 4pm. The Tea Room serves lunch 11:30 – 1:45pm, Monday – Friday, and hosts special events and groups other days and times throughout the month.
Additional information is available online at WEofMemphis.org/events. QUESTIONS? Please contact Carol Adamec at: CCAdamec@gmail.com
Theme: Springtime
Dates: March 5 – June 13, 2025
• Submit images by Wednesday, February 26 TO: Carol Adamec at CCAdamec@gmail.com Include your name, phone number, email. For each image: Title, Medium, Size, Price. Artists will be notified of accepted artwork on or before Saturday, March 1. Delivery & Pickup of artwork location: 88 Racine Street, Memphis 38111
• Deliver Work: Tuesday, March 4
• 2–3:30pm • Pickup Work: Friday, June 13
• 2–3:30pm • Fee: $20 Consignor Fee for accepted artwork. Due at time of delivery. (Good for the calendar year.)
• Commission: 70% to the Artist
• 30% to The Woman’s Exchange Artwork to be considered:
• Only 2-dimensional wall art, created by the artist that is available for sale. Art must be framed or gallery wrapped, wired (NO sawtooth hangers) and ready for installation.
• Work must remain on display in The WE Tea Room for the stated exhibit dates noted above.
• Artists set their own prices. (Suggested price maximum: $300-$400. Please keep in mind the theme and size constraints.) Decisions by WE regarding artworks selected for exhibition are final.
PLEASE NOTE: If your artwork is selected for exhibit in Art in the Tea Room, you will receive additional information regarding completion of these online entry forms.
REVERSE CAREER FAIR
Cathy Lantrip of Christian Brothers University shares:
Hello! I am the Assistant Director of Career Services at Christian Brothers University here in Memphis. I wanted to invite you to participate in CBU’s upcoming Reverse Career Fair for Visual Arts, being held on Thursday, March 27th, from 12:30 to 2:00 pm on CBU’s campus.
This FREE event will allow our visual arts students and alumni (graphic design, studio arts/fine arts, art therapy) to display their portfolios and other examples of their work and to connect with employers regarding opportunities available throughout the Greater Memphis area: internship, part-time, full-time, contract, freelance, commissions, etc.
If you are interested in attending and recruiting CBU talent for your employment, internship, or contract needs, please RSVP by Friday, March 21st with the expected number of representatives from your company.
Additional information/logistics will be provided prior to the event, and you will also receive digital copies of all participants’ resumes as brief artist skills summaries.
Please let me know if you have any questions. We hope to see you!
Cathy Lantrip
Assistant Director, Career Services
Christian Brothers University
650 East Parkway South, Campus Box #2
Memphis, TN 38104
Buckman Hall, Suite 207
(901) 321-3329
(901) 321-3332 (fax)
clantrip@cbu.edu
www.cbu.edu/career
TROLLFEST AT THE MEMPHIS BOTANIC GARDENS
Katie Jones shares this from the Botanic Gardens:
My name is Carlee Zamora and I’m the Adult Education Coordinator at the Memphis Botanic Garden. On April 5th we are planning a fun event called Trollfest, to celebrate our new Trolls exhibit. The Trolls: Save the Humans exhibit is centered around educational themes of recycling and creativity, as well as urban gardening and biodiversity.
I am asking for any artists whose artwork centers around recyclable materials, ex. plastics, recycled paper or magazines, cardboard or cans, that are interested to email me examples of your work. Recycled artists will be given first priority of selection. This event will not require any vendor fees, however, spots are limited and artists will be selected at the Memphis Botanic Garden’s discretion. Selected artists will be given (1) one spot on our vendor’s aisle and the opportunity to sell any artwork of their choice that falls under the educational themes previously mentioned.
Upcycled artists will be considered following the selection of recycled artists. Per Google definition, we are viewing upcycled and recycled as the following: Upcycling is the process of repurposing waste into new items that are higher quality than the original, while recycling is the process of breaking down waste into raw materials to create new items.
If you have any questions or would like to submit your artwork for possible selection, please email me at carlee.zamora@membg.org.
Carlee Zamora
she/her/hers
Adult Education Coordinator
Memphis Botanic Garden
750 Cherry Rd; Memphis, TN 38117
901-636-4136 | [carlee.zamora@membg.org]
(Read more about the Trolls coming to Memphis exhibit here- www.choose901.com)
You can email the MSCA president at- midsouthcartoonists(at)gmail(dot)com
Our mailing address is:
P.O. Box 770397
Memphis, TN 38177