|
Post by yestomlake on Nov 19, 2021 15:24:25 GMT
Hi all,
I'm helping organize a new comics show in Rochester, NY on April 2nd of 2022. We're hoping to gather as many small press comics people together to celebrate comics, sell their books, and participate in panels and workshops. Details are still being worked out for how much a table will cost, but being a comics creator myself, I'm trying to get the cost as low as possible. Part of the point of this thread is to let any comics people who are within driving distance to know about the show (save the date!) - the other is to get ideas. We have a college sponsoring the event that has a growing comics program and original art archive (RIT). They want to help grow the event each year, so as someone helping organize the event- I'm in a unique position to help create something that will potentially grow into a sizable event. I'll post more details here as they develop, for now, I'm curious- what would an ideal comics show look like for you? What are some of your favorite comics shows like? What makes tabling an event a good experience for you?
|
|
|
Post by mikesheawright on Nov 28, 2021 0:49:41 GMT
Awesome! I think tables should be cheap for creators and admission should be free for attendees. A wide range of artists of comics and comics-adjacent stuff BUT primarily comics so it's not just a prints and t-shirts show. Some live events are cool too, more than just group panels. Maybe live drawing or performances or something? Puppets?
Desert Island did this incredible show a few years ago where every artist had like a big self-made "vending machine" and attendees would go to each one and get something from each booth and leave with like a hand-assembled book of work from different artists. I'd never seen anything like it but it was a really cool way to create a community in that space in a way that's more than just people at tables. But those are fun too. But I'd love to see people doing interesting stuff with how the show is presented.
Love to hear more details as they develop btw!
|
|
|
Post by BubblesZine on Nov 28, 2021 17:00:35 GMT
I've co-organized Richmond Zine Fest for the past 9 years or so. I have a lot of sympathy for organizers. It's not always easy to have a cheap large space. We're lucky that we partnered with the public library a few years ago and have a free space, with free chairs, we just have to rent tables. We charge $15 a half table. Admission is always free. I know it's not always possible to be so cheap. There's only a few organizers for RZF and we're all volunteers of course, so break even is usually the goal.
We've worked hard to also give out $50-100 grants through fundraising to give to people to print their zines so they can table. It's been a cool thing that helps the show be more inclusive. We only started this a few years ago.
I think also an ideal space is one that's easy to get to, has parking and is comfortable. It's tough to find this I know.
|
|
|
Post by yestomlake on Nov 29, 2021 4:22:20 GMT
Thanks for the feedback Mike and Brian!
I agree that trying to keep the table fee low is a big one. Without it being feasible for new artists, what's the point? The college has shouldered most of the cost of the space and table and chair rentals, but there's an additional cost that we're waiting to see until we can price tables. It's nerve wracking.
I love the idea of a way to have each artist contribute something to a book that can be assembled somehow... hmmm... I was thinking of something similar with coloring/activity sheets for kids. Hmmm..
I'm remembering MICE had live drawing and hands on workshops that were a nice break from just panels and artist talks.
Sounds like a nice setup for Richmond Zine Fest- I want to figure out grants for new artists as well eventually. It's funny, since we're in Rochester we were hoping to call our event RICE but only recently discovered RICE already exists... in Richmond I think!? So we're going back to the drawing board to figure out a new name. If anyone has one- let's hear it!
|
|
|
Post by BubblesZine on Nov 30, 2021 14:14:47 GMT
haha yeah I guess we do have RICE.
RCX - Rochester Comics eXpo
Then you can also get people driving RC cars there.
I'd also say as an organizer don't try to do too much and spread yourself too thin on the first round! Do what you can handle the first time. Like with grants etc.
|
|
|
Post by awfulquiet on Nov 30, 2021 17:54:35 GMT
Thanks for the feedback Mike and Brian! I agree that trying to keep the table fee low is a big one. Without it being feasible for new artists, what's the point? The college has shouldered most of the cost of the space and table and chair rentals, but there's an additional cost that we're waiting to see until we can price tables. It's nerve wracking. I love the idea of a way to have each artist contribute something to a book that can be assembled somehow... hmmm... I was thinking of something similar with coloring/activity sheets for kids. Hmmm.. I'm remembering MICE had live drawing and hands on workshops that were a nice break from just panels and artist talks. Sounds like a nice setup for Richmond Zine Fest- I want to figure out grants for new artists as well eventually. It's funny, since we're in Rochester we were hoping to call our event RICE but only recently discovered RICE already exists... in Richmond I think!? So we're going back to the drawing board to figure out a new name. If anyone has one- let's hear it! I'm just coming in to throw out the name RoCoExpo.
|
|
|
Post by Floyd on Dec 5, 2021 1:21:48 GMT
COCRoches Cartooning Opus Convention Rochester.
or, alternatively, to accentuate the COCK...
COCK Roches Council of Obscene Cartoonists Konvention Rochester.
|
|
|
Post by Floyd on Dec 5, 2021 1:22:36 GMT
you call it COCKRoches and im there ...
|
|
|
Post by Floyd on Dec 5, 2021 1:27:17 GMT
RITALIN RIT Alternative Legion of Illustrators Network
|
|
|
Post by Floyd on Dec 5, 2021 1:31:56 GMT
ROZWELL, NEW MEXICO Rochester's Organization of Zines as WELL as NEW Micro EXpo for Illustrators and Cartoonists Organization.
|
|
|
Post by yestomlake on Dec 6, 2021 21:23:27 GMT
Loving all these names! ROZWELL is killing me!
|
|
|
Post by grubcubman on Dec 6, 2021 21:43:28 GMT
I just want to mention PIX in Pittsburgh as something potentially feasible in the near future. Pittsburgh has a pretty rich scene, but that wasn't a gigantic show but still got a good crowd and had some great cartoonists. It seems like most of the folks there were local, but there was also a handful of more prominent people from other parts of the country. I'm sure you're looking for more detail on this thread, but I just wanted to mention one example of how smaller shows can be great.
|
|
|
Post by yestomlake on Dec 8, 2021 18:53:49 GMT
PIX! I'll check it out. It's near enough for Rochester/Buffalo folks to travel to as well.
|
|
|
Post by Floyd on Dec 8, 2021 21:02:47 GMT
BONYCOCK Buffalo and outer New York cartoon outsider convention Konference
|
|