Hey, FOOLS- don’t miss our next MSCA-Team dinner meet-up at Garibaldi’s Pizza U of M. Tonight, April 1st from 6-8pm. It’s our deadline for the next zine. I love it when a project comes together!
And speaking of fools…heeeeeeeeeere’s Kevin!
Greetings, MSCA’erses,
Sorry for not getting a mid-month email about (thus making this one long), but we have several bits of information that can be money-making opportunities, hang-outs, and more. PLEASE LET ME KNOW if you can come to events that I need dedicated folks for upcoming events so I can add you to the list. If you have responded, I won’t need another reply. I do need at least 6 of us involved for an event to succeed.
Help me get news collected and get your details to me before the last Monday of the month (if you send photos or images we can get them on the website, too). I’m certain I’m forgetting something, so if another email comes don’t hate on me.
Thanks for being here with me,
Yer MSCA Prez,
Kev!n W!ll!ams
Yer MSCA Prez,
Kev!n W!ll!ams
DINNER GATHERING
Perfectly dated, April 1, 2025, from 6 – 8 pm, is our Monthly Dinner Gathering at Garibaldi’s Pizza, 3530 Walker Ave., Memphis, TN. Bring money for food, art for showing, any freebies you’d like to share, ideas to discuss.
If anyone would like to do a presentation of some sort in May, please let me know. I’d love if members could share their story and work with the team. (Maybe if there’s no volunteers, I’ll start picking folks…)
GOOD BAD AND SKETCHY
April 1 is the deadline for the next issue of GBS zine with a theme about Food and Drink. Email MSCApub@gmail.com (copy midsouthcartoonists@gmail.com, please) with your page count for the next issue.
Think about how to include the idea of restaurants, family dinners, coffee shops, bars (keep it family-friendly), picnics, grocery stores, toats, etc. Or, just have your character holding a drink or hot dog- or doing the backstroke in a bowl of soup. Be sure to also indicate how many extra copies of the zine you wish to have ($3/page to play, $1 each additional copy.) This will be our 12th issue!
SHELBY OAKS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL – 4/1/2025 FAMILY ARTS NIGHT
This event will happen at Shelby Oaks Elementary School on 4/1/2025 from 5:30-7pm in the school’s multipurpose room. It’s a chance to set up a booth, lead an activity to demonstrate your craft, and teach kids and families more about what you do. LET ME KNOW if you’re able to do this event and copy Bonnie Hopkins on that note HOPKINSEM@scsk12.org
School information: https://g.co/kgs/qugD2ao
School information: https://g.co/kgs/qugD2ao
CON CARDS WITH GREG CRAVENS
Greg Cravens, the creator of Con Cards gaming, has shared that Wednesday, April 2, 2025, is an event at 901Games on Broad Ave at 6pm on Wednesday, April 2, 2025. PRIZES!!
THE REDEMPTION OF A DELTA BLUESMAN: ROBERT JOHNSON by Andre Miller
Running through April 12, 2025, at the (free admission!) Delta Cultural Center, 141 Cherry Street, Helena, AR 72342, this art show follows the spirit of Robert Johnson as he reviews his life before crossing over. Andre Miller is an acquaintance of Martheus Wade’s and is a fine artist whose vivid colors help his vision of the story of Bluesman Robert Johnson come to life and pop off the canvas. https://www.arkansasheritage.com/events/2025/04/11/default-calendar/saying-goodbye-to-the-redemption-of-a-delta-bluesman
I’ll be making a trip down and you’re invited on SATURDAY, APRIL 5, 2025, LET ME KNOW if you’re interested in riding down to Helena, AR, with me and Lin Workman. I ONLY have 5 spots available in my van, so first come first serviced (Lin already called “shotgun”). We’ll leave Memphis at 9am (it’s a 1 hr 21 min trip), visit the museum a few hours, then head back to Memphis with a stop at the famous Blue and White Cafe for a late lunch/early dinner. https://blueandwhiterestaurant.com/
You can see pics from the art show reception last month at the Delta Cultural Center on Have Geek Will Travel (Click HERE!)
BOB KIMBALL NEWS
Many will remember all the years that Bob Kimball was with us MSCA’ians, creating the most fabulous poster for “So Scary It’s Funny” art show in Overton Square many years ago and his (in)famous comic “Dr. Lovemonkey.” On March 15, 2025, Bob shared:
Friends, I hope you’re safe, warm, and dry as you read this. I’m sorry to say I have some bad news. I have recently learned that I have stage four cancer. I will start radiation this week. The cancer is in my brain and in my lungs.
Even with health insurance, the bills will be staggering. Anything you can give to help will be very much appreciated.
Thank you!
You can help Bob by supporting him at GoFundMe by clicking here:
https://tinyurl.com/3hma4hss
https://tinyurl.com/3hma4hss
FREE POTTERY EQUIPMENT
I have notice that Anthony 901-707-0982 is looking to give away his mom’s kiln, molds and other ceramic business equipment ASAP. Let me know if you contact him, please. All for free!
MARTHEUS WADE WINS AWARDS
Congratulations to Martheus Wade on winning two of the prestigious Richard Wright Literary Awards from the Memphis Library on Thursday, March 27, 2025: The first award for the comic book celebrating 25 years of publication, Jetta: Tales of the Toshigawa, and one for his illustrations in Park Pals and the Grand Opening of Starry Nights, a book still available from Shelby Farms. Glad to see Katie Jones there, too.
www.ToshigawaUniverse.com
The Park Pals book: https://rb.gy/vz4cps
www.ToshigawaUniverse.com
The Park Pals book: https://rb.gy/vz4cps
Speaking of which, you can get up to date with the Jetta: Tales of the Toshigawa Motion Comic:
https://www.drivethrucomics.com/en/publisher/28784/toshigawa-universe
https://www.drivethrucomics.com/en/publisher/28784/toshigawa-universe
RAPTOR BOY #1 RELEASE PARTY
Congrats to Eric McMeans on the Raptor Boy comic release party that happened Saturday, March 29, from 1 – 5pm. Created by 13-year-old writer Benito DeRanzo and artist Eric McMeans.
DALE MARTIN’S MARCH NEWSLETTER
Dale Martin’s March newsletter (including a peek at some GB&S sketch covers) is up at https://mailchi.mp/d345b1a9acf6/ssnews0325
AMERICAN MASTERS: ART SPIEGELMAN “DISASTER IS MY MUSE”
Jack Chapman shares that American Masters on PBS premieres the career of cartoonist Art Spiegelman and the ground-breaking impact of his Pulitzer Prize-winning graphic novel MAUS. This shows on April 15 at 9pm Central Time on PBS.
AVE MARIA RETIREMENT CENTER
As part of the MSCA’s Outreach, is anyone interested in visiting to talk about comics and cartooning, and drawing with the residents? This will happen one day during the week of May 5th (not ON the 5th as that’s National Cartoonists Day). LET ME KNOW if you’re interested.
NEW ART STORE! CASEY’S ART BOX
Casey’s Art Box is now open at 9330 Poplar Pike STE 102, Germantown, TN 38138, 901-299-2337 https://maps.app.goo.gl/t7RoDSupFQbtRnyE8
Lin Workman had the chance to interview the owners for the Drawing Funny Podcast:
http://www.drawingfunny.com/2025/03/27/episode-77-caseys-art-box/
http://www.drawingfunny.com/2025/03/27/episode-77-caseys-art-box/
“Drawing Funny” host/producer Lin has offered free promo spot airtime on the podcast. All MSCA members and any events and businesses that support the Mid-South Cartoonists Association are welcome to send in their 15-30sec promotional spot as a mono MP3 file. It can be to promote your art project, event appearance, Kickstarter campaign, commission availability, website/blog, art sale, art business, etc. If you need more time to promote, you can go up to 60sec or record a guest spot. Don’t know how to record a commercial..? That’s okay- just send in your info and Lin will read it in the podcast’s upcoming news segments. Just remember to include, “who/what/when/where/why/how much“. Send your MP3 formatted audio files and/or news/press releases to podcast@drawingfunny.com. The spots will be included in episodes on a rotating basis, and news items will be mentioned up until the event date. And please make any spots “safe for work” listening.
Click here to listen the latest “Drawing Funny” promo on Spotify or go to www.drawingfunny.com. You can also download the two MSCA Year End Review episodes and hear just how busy of a year 2024 was for the group and our membership!
Lin has his art prints available at the DeSoto Arts Council in Hernando, MS. There are also some MSCA and Drawing Funny freebies available. The DAC is located at 2465 Highway 51 S near Commerce Street and the courthouse square. The gift shop/gallery is open Tuesday & Thursday 10am-4pm and Saturday 9am-1pm.
MSCA ART SHOW – PLAYHOUSE ON THE SQUARE
Please reply to LET ME KNOW if you are participating in this show.
This show will be what I call a “Kitchen Sink” show where you can display art you’ve already created for sale. Katie Jones has secured a space for the MSCA to present an art show at Playhouse on the Square, June 13 – 28, 2025. New or old art. The date to turn in the art is June 3, 2025, dinner gathering.
This show will be what I call a “Kitchen Sink” show where you can display art you’ve already created for sale. Katie Jones has secured a space for the MSCA to present an art show at Playhouse on the Square, June 13 – 28, 2025. New or old art. 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.
GERMANTOWN COMMUNITY THEATER – FRANKENSTEIN ART SHOW
While more details are coming, plan on a fantastic art show in Season 54 of GCT which will be themed around Frankenstein, Horror, Halloween – all the fun scary stuff. The show will hang from October 24 – November 22, 2025, in the GCT Gallery. All art will be due at the October 7, 2025, Dinner Gathering. LET ME KNOW that you’re putting art in the show (# of pieces helps, too).
JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER ART GALLERY SHOWING
The Cultural Arts Director contacted us asking if we’d like to be a part of their gallery show December 22, 2025 – January 30, 2026. On display will be handmade wooden artwork including pieces such as soda shops and pinball machines, and think our work would be interesting to help kick up conversation. Some years back, our friend Eddie Zeno curated a Superman exhibit there which was fantastic!
Please LET ME KNOW that you’re interested in participating in this show.
https://www.jccmemphis.org/featured-boxes/arts/
https://www.jccmemphis.org/featured-boxes/arts/
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!
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.
NATIONAL CARTOONISTS DAY
May 5, 2025, is National Cartoonists Day. Be sure you celebrate somehow. YOU’VE EARNED IT!! Here is a history about the holiday: https://nationaltoday.com/national-cartoonists-day/
PORTFOLIO REVIEW INTEREST?
I didn’t hear from anyone, so I figured I’d check once more: are we interested in hosting a portfolio review day to help young’uns get on the right path to art? Reply to LET ME KNOW if you’re interested in participating.
MEMPHIS LIBRARY COMIC CON – MAY 31, 2025
This is a free event at the main library on Poplar. 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/
https://www.memphislibrary.org/events/mpl-comic-con-vendor-application/
LET ME KNOW if you’re setting up so we can promote and support you! The event it is happening 10am – 2pm Saturday, May 31, 2025, at the Benjamin L. Hooks Library, 3030 Poplar Ave., Memphis, TN 38111.
MEMPHIS LIBRARY COMIC CON ART CONTEST 2025
Winners get gift cards to The Art Center Memphis! Artwork will hang in the Goodwyn Gallery at the Benjamin L. Hooks Library through the month of May 2025. Artists can submit their “Heroes and Villains” comic-themed art here:
https://www.memphislibrary.org/events/mpl-comic-con-art-contest/
https://www.memphislibrary.org/events/mpl-comic-con-art-contest/
THE DAY THE EARTH BLEW UP – A LOONEY TUNES MOVIE
This was everything a Looney Tunes fan needs. Daffy was actually the daffy Daffy, and Porky and Petunia Pigs were written and performed perfectly. The movie has a tight storyline, great humor, great callbacks to Looney Tunes history, laughs, tears, terror, and plot twists. VERY worth seeing with friends and family.
BARTLETT BOOK BONANZA – 4/19/2025
Martheus Wade, Katie Jones, and Andrew Chandler will be set up at the event. Anyone else setting up? You can find out more at the image below along with this link:
ROGUES GALLERY: RISING – MAY 3, 2025
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.
The very first event of Rogue’s Gallery 2nd year entitled Rogue’s Gallery: Rising at Lootz Collectibles in Atoka. Poster Artist Guest of Honor and official logo artist @mattbowersmemphis will be there with That Katie Jones and other local creators. Artist and maker applications have already closed.
Saturday, May 3rd is FREE COMIC BOOK DAY! Join the Rogue’s Gallery at Lootz Collectibles that day, or visit the other mid-south area comic shops, or one that’s in your neck of the woods.