Festival Recap Part 3

More photos, more blogs...keep them coming!!! http://www.jamiepeeps.blogspot.com/

http://www.metrokitty.com/index.php?id=342

This set of photos is fun because it starts with the empty room and progresses to the show itself: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2022362&id=1482575586&ref=mf

http://swinsea.com/blog/

Maine Comics Arts Festival Recap Part Two

Still more blogs and photos about the festival. We still have our own photos and videos to upload so there will be a part three.

http://thephoenix.com/Portland/News/83756-Bringing-the-big-comic-book-guns-to-town/

http://shelligator.blogspot.com/2009/05/mcafs-meow.html

http://comixtalk.com/mecaf_2009_con_report

http://www.flickr.com/photos/30739225@N06/sets/72157618208473381/

http://music-slut.livejournal.com/291250.html

http://www.happyblogtime.com/2009/05/maine-comics-arts-festival-maine-ia.html

http://www.examiner.com/x-10620-Providence-Comic-Books-Examiner~y2009m5d20-Maine-Comics-Art-Festival-a-success

http://www.flickr.com/photos/28262172@N02/sets/72157618294798473/

http://www.comicsreporter.com/index.php/random_comics_news_story_round_up052009/

http://ayarothwell.blogspot.com/2009/05/portland-maine-comics-festival.html

WOW! What a weekend! Festival recap part one

It was an amazing weekend. Below you find some of the links that we have found so far with photos or stories from the festival. If you have any others please feel free to send them along and We will post them in part two.

We would like to thank the many creators who took time out of their schedules to join us. They are an amazingly talented group of cartoonists/creators.

We would like to thank our terrific sponsors The Inn on Peaks Island, Shipyard Brewing Company, The Portland Phoenix, Capt'n Eli's Soda, Coffee by Design and the Center for Cartoon Studies.

Thanks to Diamond Comics, DC Comics and Adhouse Comics for the donations for our giveaways. Sound and AV was provided by Tom Gordon at Portland AV. Our poster was designed by Matt Talbot and our program was designed by Colleen Frakes.

Than you to the City of Portland and the office of Ocean Gateway (Larry, Clare, Andy, Andrea and everyone else). They were all wonderful to work with.

Finally, a huge thanks to the staff of Casablanca Comics and the volunteers who helped this show run as smoothly as possible. Thank you Laura, Caitlin, Duncan, Dave, Jo, Bobzarro, Matt, Melanie, Justin, Ginny, Kirby, Melissa, Kirsten, Tami and the "crew". We could not have done this without you.

We will be back next year. Watch the blog for more details.

Rick Lowell
Casablanca Comics

Follow the links:

http://inkandthunder.blogspot.com/2009/05/forrest.html

http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2009/05/18/mecaf-report/

http://thedailycrosshatch.com/2009/05/18/the-maine-comics-arts-festival-portland-maine/

http://mikelynchcartoons.blogspot.com/2009/05/report-maine-comic-arts-festival-may-17.html

http://www.flickr.com/groups/1069120@N25/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/johnplatt/3539454413/in/set-72157618366672936/

http://www.marekbennett.com/blog/2009/05/hooray-mecaf-2009/

http://blog.portcitystudios.com/2009/05/17/finding-the-center-for-cartoon-studies-at-the-maine-comics-arts-festival/#more-973

http://www.wlbz2.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=104835

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home#/album.php?aid=23954&id=1067463425&ref=nf

http://artblog.net/?name=2009-05-18-14-05-maine

Jay Piscopo and the Festival on NBC Channel 6 tonight

Jay is interviewed and promotes the festival. If you do not live locally here is a link to the video.

http://www.wcsh6.com/life/programming/local/207/story.aspx?storyid=104725&catid=50

FREE PARKING AT OCEAN GATEWAY

The festival will have plenty of free parking at Ocean Gateway. There is a large parking lot on site and also parking on the street (free on Sundays).

More guest updates:

Morgan Pielli: "Why hullo there, gents and ladies. Let me here tell you about the miracle of MorganStories.com! Made from the rare brain-juice of the Morgan Pielli, just I say just a spoonful of this magnificent tincture will relieve all bodily ailments! Dun believe me? You sir, yes you, step lively now. You look to be plagued by gout and sorrow, am I correct suh? Indeed, just down a dollop of this wonder drug, and behold! I do believe he's a cured man! Saddle Sores! Black Lung! Shootist's Remorse! All can be elevated by the merest drops of MorganStories.com!"

Joe Quinones is a freelance comic artist living in Somerville, Massachusetts (with Maris Wicks!!!). He has been breaking into the mainstream scene doing covers for Devil's Due and Boom! studios, as well as recent work for DC comics' now defunct Teen Titans Go title. Also, he is collaborating with writer Kurt Busiek on a Green Lantern story for the forthcoming Wednesday Comics series, due out this summer. He very much enjoys peanut butter-banana-chocolate smoothies. They're DELICIOUS. Check out more of Joe's work at joequinones.blogspot.com

Maris Wicks lives in Somerville, Massachusetts (with Joe Quinones!!!) where she splits her time between drawing comics and teaching kids about marine invertebrates. She has had comics in the 2005 SPX Anthology, Project: Romantic and Superior Showcase #2 (both from Adhouse Books), and the upcoming Ghost Comics Anthology. Maris is currently working on a graphic novel (written by Jim Ottaviani) for First Second Books, as well as a collection of her autobiographical comics strips. See more of Maris' work at dotsforeyes.blogspot.com

Less than a week away.....

The title says it all......

Festival schedule

Doors open 10:00 am- 5:00 pm

Panels and workshops:

10:30 am-noon:
Peter Gutiérrez will present “Super-Powered Comics Reading: Building Literacy and Having Fun” (more details at the bottom of this page).

12:00-1:00 pm:
"I Stayed Up All Night Drawing Comics, And So Can YOU!"
24 Hour Comics: A Reading and Super-Fast Demo with Marek Bennett
Xeric-winning cartoonist and teacher Marek Bennett reads from his recent book of 24 hour comics, "HOUR 72!", and reflects on the role of creativity, inspiration, deadlines, surprise, and lack of sleep in both comics and education. Then, astound yourself with Marek's "24 Minute Comic" exercise!

1:00-2:00 pm:
"Surviving as a Print Cartoonist"- Three Syndicated cartoonists talk about what it takes to make it in today's shrinking market, including making the leap into cyberspace. Panelists include Corey Fakestar Pandolph ("Mad Magazine", "Barkeater Lake"), Lincoln Peirce ("Big Nate") and Norm Feuti ("Retail").

2:00-3:00 pm:
“Center for Cartoon Studies Presents: Self-Publishing 101"
From DIY printing techniques to digital and offset printing, this panel will overview a variety of approaches in self-publishing. The concept of design as content will be stressed, and experienced self-publishers will explain different ways to create carefully designed and fully realized comics. This panel consists of CCS faculty, students and alumni, including Robyn Chapman (Hey, 4-Eyes!), Jon Chad (Leo Geo And His Miraculous Journey Through The Center Of The Earth), Chuck Forsman (Snake Oil), Colleen Frakes (Tragic Relief) and Lucy Knisley (French Milk).”

3:00-4:00 pm:
Gabrielle Bell reads from her new book "Cecil and Jordan in New York Stories" accompanied by a slide show presentation of her work.

4:00-5:00 pm:
A discussion with Becky Cloonan, Chris Giarrusso, Gabrielle Bell and Kean Soo with questions and answers.

5:00 pm:
Festival closes

7:00-9:00 pm:
Live art event at North Star Music Cafe with art auction to benefit WMPG. North Star Music Cafe is located at 225 Congress Street in Portland.

http://www.northstarmusiccafe.com/

Free Graphic Novel Workshop for Educators and Librarians: Super-Powered Comics Reading at the Maine Comics Arts Festival

PORTLAND, MAINE – (May 4, 2009) – On Sunday, May 17, acclaimed national speaker Peter Gutiérrez will present “Super-Powered Comics Reading: Building Literacy and Having Fun” -- a special graphic novel workshop for educators and librarians at The Maine Comics Arts Festival. This free presentation will be held at the Ocean Gateway Terminal in Portland, Maine from 10:30am to Noon as part of the day-long Maine Comics Arts Festival. This is Gutiérrez’s first time presenting in Maine.

Gutiérrez will provide an overview of the ways graphic novels, comics and manga foster and enhance a love of reading. His tips and techniques work across all age levels and translate perfectly into librarian-led book circles and read-alouds. He will share kid-centered ways to leverage the unique strengths of the medium to read with expression, expand vocabulary, practice visual literacy, identify story elements and master comprehension strategies.

His hour-long workshop will lead into a half-hour session with award-winning Maine educator and technology integrationist Laura Richter. She will present her new curriculum for The Undersea Adventures of Capt’n Eli graphic novel series. The curriculum is available for free at www.captneli.com and complimentary copies of the graphic novel will be provided to workshop attendees. The Undersea Adventures of Capt’n Eli is written and illustrated by Jay Piscopo of Portland, Maine.

Richter will demonstrate how teachers can integrate these interactive and engaging lesson plans to expand their curriculum to an interdisciplinary experience where students learn language arts skills, geography mapping, scientific research techniques, ancient mythology, world history, and art. Authentic assessment strategies, technology integration, 21st century skills, and real life learning are all integral to the learning process embedded in these lessons.

More about the presenters:

Peter Gutiérrez specializes in graphic novel professional development programs for librarians and educators throughout the United States. A member of the Commission on Media of the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE), Peter writes for ForeWord Magazine, School Library Journal, BookShelf, and Graphic Novel Reporter. His book on scriptwriting (including comics) will be published by Scholastic in 2010. Recent graphic novel workshops include: New York City School Library Conference, Massachusetts Library and School Library Annual Conference, New York Comic Con, Kids Comic Con, Fordham University’s Graphica in Education Conference. This November, he will be a featured speaker at NCTE’s New Media Gallery in Philadelphia.

Laura Richter is an award-winning educator and technology integrationist at Skowhegan Area Middle School in Skowhegan, Maine where she has taught for the past 24 years. Laura trains middle and high school teachers in creative and effective ways to integrate technology into their curriculum. She has been a Maine Public Broadcasting Network (MPBN) NTTI Master Teacher, MPBN Teacher of the Year, Apple Distinguished Educator, and a finalist for the ACTEM Technology Leadership Award. This summer, she will present workshops at Summer Tech 2009 in Belfast on the many ways to integrate technology into the classroom, including: how to empower learners with Noteshare, motivate students with Garage Band, engage learners with iPhoto, integrate Comic Life, and applications for Wiki.

Panel- 24 Hour Comics: A Reading and Super-Fast Demo with Marek Bennett

"I Stayed Up All Night Drawing Comics, And So Can YOU!"
24 Hour Comics: A Reading and Super-Fast Demo with Marek Bennett

Xeric-winning cartoonist and teacher Marek Bennett reads from his recent book of 24 hour comics, "HOUR 72!", and reflects on the role of creativity, inspiration, deadlines, surprise, and lack of sleep in both comics and education. Then, astound yourself with Marek's "24 Minute Comic" exercise!

Alphabetical list of guests to date

Here is an alphabetical list (by first name) of guests at the festival to date. There will probably be a few more to add in the coming week as we still need some bios from a few people.

If you are a creator who is attending and you do not see your name on the list please e-mail me asap so that we can be sure we have your information. Also, please check your listing for spelling. Thanks!

Alex Irvine
Alexander Danner
Anne Sibley-O'Brien
Austin English
Aya Rothwell
Barry Corbett
Becky Cloonan
Ben Bishop
Brian Codagnone
Cathy Leamy
Chris Beckett
Chris Giarrusso
Christine Siravo
Christopher Mills
Chuck Forsman
Colleen Frakes
Corey Pandolph
Dan Flemming
Dane Martin
Daniel Mazur
Dave Naybor
David Jacobson
Franklin Einspruch
Gabrielle Bell
Greg Moutafis
Gynn Stella Silva
Hector Rodriguez
Hugh Tims
Jaime Garmendia
Jay Piscopo
Jeff Pert
Jeffrey Lok
Jennifer G Vaughn
Jennifer Ormand
Joe Haley
Joe Quinones
Joe Staton
Joel Rivers
Jon Chad
Joseph Lambert
Julia Wertz
Kean Soo
Kubby
Lincoln Peirce
Lucy Knisley
Marek Bennett
Maris Wicks
Mark Gonyea
Mark Ricketts
Matt Ryan
Matthew Talbot
Melissa Mendes
Michael Connor
Mike Lynch
Nate Doyle
Norm Feuti
Rick Silva
Robyn Chapman
Ron LeBrasseur
Sam Costello
Sam Gaskin
Sarah Glidden
Sarah Searle
Steve Kanaras
Steve Kuster
Susan Soares
TJ Dort
Zack Giallongo

Panel discussion- Surviving as a Print Cartoonist

"Surviving as a Print Cartoonist"- Three Syndicated cartoonists talk about what it takes to make it in today's shrinking market, including making the leap into cyberspace. Panelists include Corey Fakestar Pandolph ("Mad Magazine", "Barkeater Lake"), Lincoln Peirce ("Big Nate") and Norm Feuti ("Retail").

Sponsor Spotlight- Portland Phoenix

The Phoenix is very excited to sponsor the Maine Comics Arts Festival – a HUGE shout out to Casablanca Comics for putting it together! Don’t forget to check out comic writing super-star (and former Phoenix staff writer) Alex Irvine’s table at the show!

Since its first issue hit the streets in September of 1999, the Portland Phoenix has combined the best arts-and- entertainment listings and local news and arts coverage available in the Great State of Maine with the experience and nationally recognized critical expertise of its parent paper, the Boston Phoenix. Each week the Phoenix offers readers a unique editorial perspective not found in daily newspapers. Phoenix writers take the headlines one step further, not delivering just facts but looking behind the story and asking why. The Portland Phoenix is an indispensable resource for entertainment coverage, local news analysis, and complete and comprehensive listings of arts and entertainment events happening from Portsmouth to Bangor.

Panel discussion with The Center for Cartoon Studies

Here is the description of another panel that will be held at the festival. This one will be by the Center for Cartoon Studies (http://cartoonstudies.org/).

“CCS Presents: Self-Publishing 101"
From DIY printing techniques to digital and offset printing, this panel will overview a variety of approaches in self-publishing. The concept of design as content will be stressed, and experienced self-publishers will explain different ways to create carefully designed and fully realized comics. This panel consists of CCS faculty, students and alumni, including Robyn Chapman (Hey, 4-Eyes!), Jon Chad (Leo Geo And His Miraculous Journey Through The Center Of The Earth), Chuck Forsman (Snake Oil), Colleen Frakes (Tragic Relief) and Lucy Knisley (French Milk).”

So where is Ocean Gateway?

The question that we seem to get asked the most is "where is Ocean Gateway"? The short answer is that it is on the waterfront. Turn left onto Commercial Street from Franklin Street (at Casco Bay Ferry Terminal) and drive 2/10 of a mile and you will see it.

Driving North
Take the Maine Turnpike (Interstate 95) toward Portland to Exit 44, I-295. Proceed on I-295 North to exit 7, the Franklin St. exit, and continue straight on Franklin Arterial Street until it ends at Commercial Street. Turn left on Commercial St. (Commercial St. becomes Thames St.). Ocean Gateway will be on Thames Street, on the right, just past India Street.

Driving South
Take exit 103 off the Maine Turnpike (Interstate 95), which will take you to I-295. Head south. Proceed on I-295 South to exit 7, the Franklin St. exit, and continue straight on Franklin Arterial Street until it ends at Commercial Street. Turn left on Commercial St. (Commercial St. becomes Thames St.). Ocean Gateway will be on the right, just past India Street.

From the Portland Airport
Turn right at the Jetport exit onto Congress Street (Rt 22). Stay on Congress Street 1.8 miles and turn onto the ramp to South Portland/ I-295. Keep left at the fork to pick up Fore River Pkwy. Continue straight through intersection with Valley Street, proceeding onto West Commercial Street. Remain on Commercial Street for 2 miles, following the waterfront. Commercial Street becomes Thames Street. Ocean Gateway will be on your right, just past India Street.

Educators workshop at the festival

Free Graphic Novel Workshop for Educators and Librarians: Super-Powered Comics Reading at the Maine Comics Arts Festival

PORTLAND, MAINE – (May 4, 2009) – On Sunday, May 17, acclaimed national speaker Peter Gutiérrez will present “Super-Powered Comics Reading: Building Literacy and Having Fun” -- a special graphic novel workshop for educators and librarians at The Maine Comics Arts Festival. This free presentation will be held at the Ocean Gateway Terminal in Portland, Maine from 10:30am to Noon as part of the day-long Maine Comics Arts Festival. This is Gutiérrez’s first time presenting in Maine.

Gutiérrez will provide an overview of the ways graphic novels, comics and manga foster and enhance a love of reading. His tips and techniques work across all age levels and translate perfectly into librarian-led book circles and read-alouds. He will share kid-centered ways to leverage the unique strengths of the medium to read with expression, expand vocabulary, practice visual literacy, identify story elements and master comprehension strategies.

His hour-long workshop will lead into a half-hour session with award-winning Maine educator and technology integrationist Laura Richter. She will present her new curriculum for The Undersea Adventures of Capt’n Eli graphic novel series. The curriculum is available for free at www.captneli.com and complimentary copies of the graphic novel will be provided to workshop attendees. The Undersea Adventures of Capt’n Eli is written and illustrated by Jay Piscopo of Portland, Maine.

Richter will demonstrate how teachers can integrate these interactive and engaging lesson plans to expand their curriculum to an interdisciplinary experience where students learn language arts skills, geography mapping, scientific research techniques, ancient mythology, world history, and art. Authentic assessment strategies, technology integration, 21^st century skills, and real life learning are all integral to the learning process embedded in these lessons.

More about the Maine Comics Arts Festival:

Presented by Casablanca Comics, this first-year festival was created to celebrate the wonderful world of comic books, comic strips, graphic novels, and web comics. The festival will be held Sunday, May 17 from 10:00am – 5:00pm in the Ocean Gateway Terminal on Thames Street on the waterfront in Portland, Maine and will feature writers, artists and publishers from the field of comics. Admission is $5 and kids 12 and under are free. www.mainecomicsfestival.com

More about the presenters:

Peter Gutiérrez specializes in graphic novel professional development programs for librarians and educators throughout the United States. A member of the Commission on Media of the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE), Peter writes for ForeWord Magazine, School Library Journal, BookShelf, and Graphic Novel Reporter. His book on scriptwriting (including comics) will be published by Scholastic in 2010. Recent graphic novel workshops include: New York City School Library Conference, Massachusetts Library and School Library Annual Conference, New York Comic Con, Kids Comic Con, Fordham University’s Graphica in Education Conference. This November, he will be a featured speaker at NCTE’s New Media Gallery in Philadelphia.

Laura Richter is an award-winning educator and technology integrationist at Skowhegan Area Middle School in Skowhegan, Maine where she has taught for the past 24 years. Laura trains middle and high school teachers in creative and effective ways to integrate technology into their curriculum. She has been a Maine Public Broadcasting Network (MPBN) NTTI Master Teacher, MPBN Teacher of the Year, Apple Distinguished Educator, and a finalist for the ACTEM Technology Leadership Award. This summer, she will present workshops at Summer Tech 2009 in Belfast on the many ways to integrate technology into the classroom, including: how to empower learners with Noteshare, motivate students with Garage Band, engage learners with iPhoto, integrate Comic Life, and applications for Wiki.

WHAT:

Special graphic novel workshops for librarians and educators by Peter Gutiérrez (Super-Powered Comics Reading: Building Literacy and Having Fun) and Laura Richter (The Undersea Adventures of Capt’n Eli).

WHEN:

Sunday, May 17

10:30am – Noon

WHERE:

Ocean Gateway Terminal

Portland Waterfront

Thames St.

Portland, Maine

(Follow Commercial St. to Thames St.)

COST:

Registration is not required and admission to the presentation is free.

Festival T-Shirts!

Click here to see the t-shirt design! They will be available at the festival and if any are left over online after the show.

Guest updates from the Center for Cartoon Studies

Since receiving her BFA in Sequential Art, Robyn Chapman has been independently producing, publishing and printing her own comics and zines. In 2000 she received a Xeric Grant for her first comic, Theater of the Meek. Robyn's work has been featured in several anthologies and publications, including Scheherazade, Stuck in the Middle, and the NY Metro. In 2004 Robyn was a featured cartoonist in the Comics Journal's young cartoonist issue. In 2005 Robyn became CCS’s first fellow, in 2008 they awarded her with an MFA. In addition to CCS, Robyn has taught cartooning in after-school programs, workshops, and at the New School in New York City.


Jon Chad graduated from the Sequential Art program at the Savannah College of Art and Design in May 2008. He has been producing handmade minicomics and zines since 2006. He has illustrated children's books published by Mascot Books. His comics Leo Geo Acquires Ancient Knowledge and Shortstack were both nominated for the Kukoc Award for Comics Inspiration in 2008. He now lives in White River Junction where he works at The Center for Cartoon Studies.

Exhibitors...check your e-mail.

This is directed to the exhibitors and guests of the festival. We just sent out an important e-mail tonight with lots of details specific to the people who will be setting up at the show. Please read the e-mail and reply to the questions...it will make things a lot easier for planning purposes.

If you believe that you should have gotten an e-mail but did not receive one please e-mail me at comics@casablancacomics.com and I will resend it to you. Thanks!

FAQ's

I just wanted to cover some of the FAQ's we have had about the festival. If anyone has other questions please feel free to e-mail them to me.

What can I expect from the festival?
The festival is really a showcase for the creators. We will have over 70 comic writers and artists on hand for this event. There will be everyone from mini comics publishers to seasoned professionals. There will be comic book writers and artists, gag cartoonists, newspaper cartoonists, web comics creators and more. The guests will have their own work available for sale. Some people will be doing sketches and selling original artwork. Others will have t-shirts, buttons and posters. All of them have one thing in common... a love of comics.

What are the panel discussions?
We will be holding panel discussions every hour. This will feature various guest creators who will be discussing a specific topic. A full schedule will be posted this week. The topics include how to create your own comics and mini-comics, web-comics and much more.

How much does it cost?
Admission is only $5.00. Children 12 and under get in free. There is also no charge for educators and librarians attending our educator workshop.

What is the schedule?
The festival opens to the public at 10:00 am and closes at 5:00 pm. You may leave and re-enter the festival as many times as you like. There are lots of places to eat and shop close to the festival site.

Will there be dealers at this show?
There will not be any dealers in the traditional sense. There will not be any tables with long boxes of back-issues for sale. There will be plenty of books available for sale, but all of the books will be produced and sold by the guests that we have on hand. If you are looking for lots of Marvel and DC comic back-issues this may not be the show for you. Still give it a try though....I think you will be able to find some pretty cool comics in the room.

If you are looking for a more traditional show, I recommend the Granite State Comic-Con on May 31 in Manchester, NH. In Massachusetts check out the fine shows from Larry's Comics.

Two Weeks!!!!!

Two weeks from today! Time flies....

We will be posting LOTS of info this week so please follow the blog. Spent today recovering from Free Comic Book Day yesterday. Thanks!