Lights Out, Party Moving Down The Street

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Recap: Fall Cartooning Weekend 2018

This past weekend I drove down to Kansas City, MO for the Fall Cartooning Weekend sponsored by the North Central Chapter of the National Cartoonists Society. The main event was an afternoon of lectures hosted at the offices of comic book syndicate Andrews McMeel Universal, the company behind GoComics. 

The main lobby features a giant "timeline wall" highlighting the syndicate's most popular strips from the past several decades, in chronological order. Among them were Ziggy, Garfield, For Better or For Worse, Calvin and Hobbes, The Far Side, Doonsbury, Pearls Before Swine, as well as modern webcomics like Sarah's Scribbles, The Awkward Yeti, and Phoebe and her Unicorn.

There's also a giant wall featuring drawings by their most popular cartoonists, past and present. 

John Glynn, president of Andrews McMeel Universal, served us assorted beverages and gave us a guided tour of the syndicate offices.

Mike Edholm, Ken Alvine, and Bob Hall

Comic book artist Bob Hall admires a framed cartoon about the creative process by the late, great Richard Thompson.

In the lower right corner is Gary Larson's Reuben Award, the most prestigious award the National Cartoonist Society can bestow.

The staff never stop thinking about comics, even on bathroom breaks.

After the tour we gathered in the main conference room. Cartoonist Eric Scott kicked things off with a prevention of his licensing art, his work for clients like MAD Magazine, as and samples from his syndicated strips Back in the Day and 1 and Done. 

University of Nebraska Professor Richard Graham discussed the life and work of illustrator Rose O'Neill, who's Kewpie Doll characters launched the first big licensing craze in American history. Graham is working on a book about the Kewpie Dolls that will be released in 2019. His previous book about World War II propaganda cartoons was an Eisner Award nominee.

Keynote speaker Wiley Miller discussed his syndicated strip Non Sequitur.

Miller designs his gags to work in both horizontal and vertical formats. Using this template, he keeps the main art in the center square and puts one copy of the caption/punchline in the edge of the horizontal zone and another duplicate copy in the vertical zone.

Here's an example of how that works. The cartoon is designed so publishers can crop it two different ways.

After the presentations several cartooning books, prints, and original art were raffled off to raise funds for the chapter.

The day ended back in the lobby with a catered dinner and cocktails, again courtesy of the fine folks at Andrews McMeel Universal.

Everyone drove back home really jazzed and inspired to keep cartooning!

Announcing the Annual Fall Cartooning Weekend Oct 12-13, 2018 in Kansas City, MO

NOTE: Info about the event has also been posted on our chapter Facebook group. You can also follow our chapter on Twitter to see member tweets and general retweets of interest to cartoonists. 

It's time again for our far-flung NCS chapter to gather for our annual cartooning weekend! 


MAIN EVENT (Open to the public):  Hear some talks by professional cartoonists and hang out with other cartoonists and cartooning fans (it's also a fun way to check out the NCS if you have ever thought about joining.) Come to Andrews McMeel Universal Syndicate for a great lineup of speakers:

Eric Scott (artist at Andrews McMeel Universal):

The Dwayne Chronicles by Eric Scott

Richard Graham, Univ. of Nebraska Professor and author of a new book on Rose O’Neill, Illustrator and inventor of the Kewpie Doll:

Kewpie Doll art by Rose O'Neill

Keynote Speaker: Wiley Miller, creator of prize-winning comic strip “Non-Sequitur”:

Non Sequitur by Wiley Miller

The weekend will also include a chapter meeting (NCS members only) and lots of socializing over meals and drinks (open to NCS members and anyone interested in joining the NCS). 


TENTATIVE SCHEDULE:

FRIDAY, Oct 12:
Arrive at Aladdin Holiday Inn (Google Map). Social time to meet, greet, drink TBA.

SATURDAY, Oct 13:
7:30-9:30am - Breakfast at Aladdin Holiday Inn (Google Map)

10:00am - Meet in lobby at Andrews McMeel Universal Syndicate, 1130 Walnut St, Kansas City MO 64106 (Google Map). If you are driving in for the day there is a city parking garage right across the street from the AMU offices.

10:30-11:30am - NCS chapter meeting. (NCS members only)

11:30am-12:30pm - Lunch courtesy of NCS N. Central Chapter

1:00-4:30pm - MAIN EVENT! Guest speakers Eric Scott, Richard Graham, and Wiley Miller, followed by raffle of original art, books, and other cartoon collectibles. Open to the public.

5:00pm - Cocktail party for N. Central Chapter hosted by John Glynn, President and Editorial Director, AMU


HOTEL RESERVATIONS:
We have a block of rooms reserved for chapter members just a couple of blocks from Universal Syndicate headquarters where we'll be meeting. The rate is $129 per night single or double. Valet parking is $18. There are also city parking garages nearby that will be cheaper. Deadline for reservations is September 12. Mention you're with the National Cartoonists Society to get the discounted rate.

Aladdin Holiday Inn
1215 Wyandotte
Kansas City, MO 64105
(816) 421-8888
ihg.com

We hope to see you there!

Follow us:
Chapter Facebook Group
Chapter Twitter feed

Recap: Chapter Mtg and Fall Cartooning Weekend 2017

This past weekend chapter members from all over the midwest gathered in Lincoln, Nebraska for our annual chapter get-together. We viewed an exhibit of comic book art by Dan Hall, listened to presentations by three speakers (John Hambrock, Tom Kerr, and a keynote by award-winning New York illustrator Steve Brodner), and engaged in the usual tomfoolery.

During out chapter meeting it was announced that at the national level the NCS is taking steps to adapt to cartooning in the 21st century. It sounds like the leadership is thinking about what it can do to offer more value to web cartoonists as well as to adjust to the changing industry landscape. That was good to hear.

Here's a few photos, submitted by chapter members Mike Edholm and Cedric Hohnstadt:

We had a great turnout considering the fact that our chapter covers nine states. Many members travelled hundreds of miles to attend.

Genevieve Randall interviewed Mike Edholm, Paul Fell, and Tom Kerr for the NET Radio show “Friday Live.”

Paul Fell, Bucky Jones, Mike Edholm, and Tom Kerr.

We viewed an exhibit by local comic book artist Bob Hall.

John Hambrock discusses his syndicated humor strip, "The Brilliant Mind of Edison Lee".

Illustrator and cartoonist Tom Kerr walked us through his career and discussed his influences.

Members contributed to the doodle board which was later raffled off. 

Award-winning New York illustrator Steve Brodner discusses his work.

Illustrator Steve Brodner followed his presentation with a Q&A.

We wrapped everything up with Indian cuisine at The Oven in downtown Lincoln.

Over dinner Steve Brodner did sketches of some of the members in his sketchbook.

Everyone had a great time. Thanks to co-chairs Paul Fell and Mike Edholm for all their hard work in making it all happen!

Announcing the Annual Fall Cartooning Weekend Sept. 29-30, 2017 in Lincoln, NE

NOTE: Info about the event has also been posted on our chapter Facebook group. You can also follow our chapter on Twitter to see member tweets and general retweets of interest to cartoonists. 

It's time again for our far-flung NCS chapter to gather for our annual cartooning weekend! 

We will be inviting the public to join us at the Univeristy of Nebraska Love Library for a great lineup of speakers including John Hambrock (syndicated cartoonist, "The Brilliant Mind of Edison Lee"), Tom Kerr (illustrator/cartoonist), and for the keynote, political illustrator Steve Brodner.

John Hambrock

Tom Kerr 

Steve Brodner

The weekend will also include a chapter meeting (NCS members only) and lots of socializing over meals and drinks (open to NCS members and anyone interested in joining the NCS). 


SCHEDULE:
FRIDAY, Sept29:
7:00pm - Gather in bar at The Graduate hotel (formerly Holiday Inn) (google maps) to meet, greet, drink.

SATURDAY, Sept. 30:
8:00am - Breakfast at The Graduate hotel (google maps). 

10:00am - Head for Love Library on UNL campus (google maps) for NCS chapter meeting. (NCS members only)

10:30am - View exhibit of new comic work by chapter member Bob Hall on second floor of library. (Open to the public).

11:00am - Lunch @ Nebraska Student Union

1:00pm - Return to Love Library for featured speakers
Tom Kerr, John Hambrock, Steve Brodner. (Open to the public).

3:00pm - Annual chapter raffle.

5:30pm - Walk from hotel to nearby restaurant (to be announced) for drinks and dinner.

Following dinner we’ll sample the offerings of some of the
drinking establishments in Lincoln’s Haymarket area.

SUNDAY, Oct. 1:
8:00am - Breakfast at The Graduate hotel (google maps). 

Heading for home

HOTEL RESERVATIONS:
A block of rooms is available for chapter members at Lincoln's newest hotel, The Graduate (formerly the downtown Holiday Inn). The hotel is a short walk to Love Library, as well as a multitude of restaurants and drinking establishments. Book before Sept. 8 and get a special room rate of $119 per night.

To make room reservations:

The Graduate
141 N. 9th. Street
Lincoln, NE 68508
402-475-4011
https://www.graduatehotels.com/lincoln/
Ask for the special room rate for The National Cartoonists Society.

We hope to see you there!

Follow us:
Chapter Facebook Group
Chapter Twitter feed

Recap - Fall Chapter Mtg, Sioux Falls SD, Oct. 28-29, 2016

Another Chapter conference is in the books! Everyone had a fantastic time. Here's some pics courtesy of Mike Edholm and Cedric Hohnstadt:

Friday afternoon members met with students at a local high school.

Paul Fell chats with high school art students.

Friday evening chat after dinner at the hotel.

Chris Browne (Hagar the Horrible) adds his contribution to a giant art board that was eventually raffled off.

"Meet the Cartoonists" event at Zandbroz Variety store.

Author Richard Graham ("Government Issue") chats with cartoonist Steve Sack while Hector  Curriel looks on.

Paul Trap ("Thatababy") adds his contribution to the giant art board.

Steve Sack ponders what he will draw on the giant art board.

Cartoonist Paul Trap talks about his career and his syndicated strip "Thatababy".

Author Richard Graham discusses his latest book, "Government Issue", and the history of government use of comics for education and propaganda.

Pulitzer-Prize winning editorial cartoonist Steve Sack discusses his work.

The weekend wound down with some casual chit chat at the hotel.

A huge shoutout to Paul Fell, Mike Edholm, and Ken Alvine for working hard to make our meeting such a fun and enjoyable time!

For news and announcements about future chapter events, be sure to join the NCS North Central Chapter Facebook Group or follow us on Twitter.

Fall 2016 Chapter Mtg - Press Release

For immediate release

Cartoonists conference scheduled for Sioux Falls

Saturday October 29th

The North Central Chapter of the National Cartoonists Society is having its annual chapter meeting in Sioux Falls Saturday Oct. 29th. All the conference activities planned are open and free to the public.       Professional  cartoonists from across the Midwest will be in attendance. These cartoonists work in the field of syndication, editorial, magazine cartooning, illustrator and others aspects of the industry.   The public will have a chance meet and greet the cartoonists and get signed cartoon art Saturday morning at Zandboz bookstore downtown Sioux Falls from 10:00 to 11:30. 

Saturday afternoon from 1:00 to 4:00 at the Downtown Public Library three nationally recognized  cartoonists will make presentations.  Steve Sack , Pulitzer Prize Winner editorial cartoonist from the Minneapolis Star Tribune, Paul Trap, creator of the syndicated comic strip “Thatababy” and Richie Graham, University of Nebraska professor,  “How cartoons have been used in the war effort” will speak.  Raffle for cartoon items and art will follow the presentations.

For more detailed information about the chapter meeting, contact Ken Alvine at kenalvine@gmail.com.

(Click image below to view/download hi-res version)