Comic Book Characters Invade Harlem and the Bronx:
‘The Kids’ Comic Con’ and ‘The Color of Comics’ Art Exhibit
This year’s ‘4th Annual Free Kids’ Comic Con’ (KCC) at Bronx Community College will be accompanied by the opening of ‘The Color of Comics’ visually dynamic exhibit of comic book artwork focused on African American, Latino, and other people of color as represented in the genre.
On Saturday April 10, 2010 from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Bronx Community College will host the 4th Annual ‘Kids’ Comic Con’ a family centered art and literacy comic book convention. The Kids’ Comic Con provides a free colorful and art filled day for children and their parents to engage writers and illustrators from the exciting comic book and graphic novel industry. Last year’s convention was attended by almost 800 participants. All the children and teenagers attending the free KCC event receive books, participate in art and writing workshops, and meet top volunteer professionals from the world of comics. Created by writer and educator Alex Simmons and Gene Adams the director of Collaborative Education at BCC the KCC is the first comic book convention theme literacy project in the Bronx. “Since 2006 BCC and KCC have provided workshops throughout New York and New Jersey for children and educators on the use of comic books and graphic novels in literacy improvement”, said Adams. “And we’ve not only been supported by the publishing industry, but also by Canson Paper, and Sakura Color Products of America … all coming together for the kids.”
Professional artist volunteering at KCC have worked with the biggest and most successful industry giants such as Marvel Comics, Archie Comics, Random House Books, Tokyopop, Viz Media, and D.C. Comics. Among this year’s list of industry artists will be Jamal Igle. Amy Ignatow, Ray Felix, Rich Terdoslavich, James Barry, Anne Sibley O’Brien, Jamal Peppers, and James Sherman. The free workshops featured at KCC include subjects such as how to drawing scenery, how to develop storylines, science and superheroes, careers in comics, and more.
As part of the KCC art and literacy program the Countee Cullen Branch of the New York Public Library will house the ‘The Color of Comic’s exhibit. Curated by Simmons and Adams, ‘The Color of Comics’ is a traveling show featuring the works comic book artist depicting characters of color from around the globe. Artist and works presented reflect images of African Americans, Asians, Latinos, Africans, and Middle Easterners as shown in comic books and graphic novels. ”Simply put this exhibition exist as an effort to illuminate the diversity of characters of color in comic art” commented Alex Simmons. Some of the well known artists featured in the show include Kyle Baker, Eric Battle, Gene Yang , Fernando Ruiz, and Ann Sibley-O’Brien. “The exhibit recently returned form the Miami Book Fair International where it was a key feature of the event. In December the exhibit will be held in Dakar Senegal”, said Adams. “And we’ve a lot of work to do between now and then, to bring about this one of a kind event.”
Meanwhile, the opening for the April exhibition will take place on Thursday April 8, 2010 at the Countee Cullen Library from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. The exhibit will be on display at the Countee Cullen Library located at 104 West 136th Street in Manhattan until April 28th.
Please forward this information to other individuals and groups.
For more information contact Gene Adams at (718) 289-5952.
Or write to Alex@Kidscomiccon.com
www.Colorofcomics.wordpress.com
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