Small Press and Comics Symposium of Chicago

Caroline Picard

Zach Dodson

Doug Fogelson

Fred Sasaki

and Sally Alatalo as moderator

Chris Ware

Aaron Reiner

Corinne Mucha

Onsmith

with Hillary Chute as moderator

The Small Press and Comics Symposium of Chicago, will be an exploration into the process, practice and product of local independent publishers and comic makers. Chicago has a rich network of self-publishers, and graphic novelists, as well as a community that supports their dedicated work. The Symposium will consist of two panel discussions: the first will pose questions to Chicago comic artists and the second will examine the workings of windy-city publishers. Gathering our resident book and comic producers in one amalgamated event will offer supportive comparisons and stimulating contrasts between both active communities. SAIC is a central point connecting makers and thinkers in the creative community in Chicago, the Midwest, nationally and internationally. Many Chicago-based comic artists and independent publishers are affiliated with The School of the Art Institute of Chicago as alumni, former students, current students, instructors or, if nothing else, by participating in happenings such as our fair symposium. Self-published books, comics and zines are a major component of our school’s output, and as such we should attempt to understand our Institution’s role in these cultures. We currently have an influx of comics, writing and publishing courses, as well as four active publishing student groups. SAIC students have an avid interest in comics and publishing and this interest deserves institutional support. We require both academic exploration and self-definition in our time of growth.

THURSDAY, March 11th, 2010 

Getting Out: Distribution and Self Publication- 4:30pm-5:30pm

Moderator:

Jeremy Tinder

Panelists:

Ian McDuffie

Joey Jacks

Sarah Becan

Anders Nilsen

Comics, Art and the Between- 5:45pm-6:45pm

Moderators:

Bad @ Sports and Guest Jason Dunda

Panelists:

Paul Hornschemeier

John Porcellino

Christa Donner

Bernie McGovern

FRIDAY March 12th, 2010 

Imagining Identity of Self and Others in Comics- 4:30pm-5:30pm

Moderator:

Stanford Carpenter

Panelists:

Lucy Knisely

Jeffrey Brown

Nicole Hollander

Tyrell Cannon

Professionalization in Comics- 5:45pm-6:45pm

Moderator:

Anne Elizabeth Moore

Panelists:

Edie Fake

Surabhi Ghosh

Beth Hetland

Jeremy Tinder

The stubborn work ethic of Chicago’s comic scene will be explored in the first ever Comic Symposium of Chicago, hosted by the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) on March 11th and 12th 2010. Through panel discussions with over fifteen local comic makers, the Symposium will investigate the city’s influence on the comic making process, tackling the sad, serious, and silly topics that reign supreme in the realm of sequential art. All events are free and open to the public.

The Symposium will be comprised of four separate panel discussions with multiple artists on each and will be moderated by some of Chicago’s greatest thinkers, critics and (of course) readers of comics. The questions posed to the Windy City makers will address many issues including: the tasks of self-publication, the changing cultural status of comics and the difficulty of representing identity. The queries will oscillate between common knowledge and the complexity of the nitty-gritty details, giving equal enjoyment opportunity to new readers as well as true-blue comic connoisseurs.

Comics are infiltrating movie-theaters and chain book stores, sustaining independent comic shops and edging their way into academia. Comics are made any and everywhere, but Chicago has a distinct community of hard working doers, makers and shakers. The event will attempt to unite and uncover the inner workings of Chicago’s comics.

Attracting artists who currently live and work in the city, as well as former Chicago residents, the Comic Symposium will bring together the old, new, big and small. Attendees include: Bad at Sports (Richard Holland and Duncan MacKenzie), Sarah Becan, Jeffrey Brown, Stanford Carpenter, Christa Donner, Jason Dunda, Surabhi Ghosh, Beth Hetland, Nicole Hollander, Paul Hornschemeier, Joey Jacks, Lucy Knisley, Ian McDuffie, Bernie McGovern, Anne Elizabeth Moore, Anders Nilsen, John Porcellino, and Jeremy Tinder.

Comic Symposium of Chicago
Hosted by The School of the Art Institute of Chicago
Thursday-Friday, March 11-12, 4:30-7pm
SAIC Ballroom, 112 S. Michigan Ave.
Free
Email: comicsymposiumofchicago@gmail.com

A nationally accredited leader in educating artists, designers, and scholars since 1866, the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) offers undergraduate, graduate, and post-baccalaureate programs to nearly 3,200 students from across the globe. Located in the heart of Chicago, SAIC’s educational philosophy is built upon a multidisciplinary approach to art and design, giving students unparalleled opportunities to develop their creative and critical abilities, while working with renowned faculty who include many of the leading practitioners in their fields. SAIC’s resources include the Art Institute of Chicago and its new Modern Wing; numerous special collections and programming venues provide students with exceptional exhibitions, screenings, lectures, and performances. For more information, please visit www.saic.edu.