MIDDLEBURY — From science to politics, history to health care, cartooning has recently exploded as a legitimate medium for exploring non-fiction topics and the textures of lived experience. So, the Vermont Folklife Center is hosting their first Non-Fiction Comics Mini-Fest this Sunday, April 23, from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. All are welcome to this free event at 88 Main St. in Middlebury (ADA accessible).
This day-long event presents a diverse assortment of Vermont cartoonists engaged in non-fiction work, including political cartoons, memoirs and diaries, and covering such topics as science, graphic medicine, energy security, cooking and more.
In addition to an opportunity to meet and chat with the exhibiting cartoonists, the Non-Fiction Comics Mini-Fest also features three panel discussions:
“Cartooning and Place: On Being a Vermont Cartoonist”
Comics legends Steve Bissette (Swamp Thing, Tyrant) and Rick Veitch (Swamp Thing, Eureka Comics) will join Stephanie Zuppo (Ladybroad Ledger) and Rachel Lindsay (Rachel Lives Here Now) in a discussion on how place affects the life and work of cartoonists.
“Diary Comics: A Conversation with James Kochalka and Isaac Cates”
Vermont’s first Cartoonist Laureate, James Kolchalka will be interviewed by comics scholar, Issac Cates of the University of Vermont about his diary comic, American Elf.
“Cartoonists’ Perspectives on El viaje mas caro/The Most Costly Journey Project.”
Angela Boyle (Awesome Possum), Glynnis Fawkes (Alle Ego), Iona Fox (Almanac) and Kevin Kite (Hurry Up Please It’s Time) will talk about their participation in El viaje mas caro/Most Costly Journey, a project to create comics as a health outreach tool for Latin American migrant workers in Vermont’s dairy industry (www.vermontfolklifecenter.org/elviaje)
Non-Fiction Comics Mini-Fest is made possible by donations from the Folklive Center’s supporters, and is presented in conjunction with their exhibit, “Family Traits: Art Humor, and Everyday Life,” featuring a selection of family cartoons by the late Stanley Lyndes. The exhibit will be on display through May 15.
For more info call (802) 388-4964 or visit www.vermontfolklifecenter.org/non-fiction-comics-minifest.