MFAVN is at SPX 2024!

We are excited to be back at Small Press Expo this weekend!

On September 14 and 15, we are off to Bethesda, Maryland, to join our fellow faculty, students, and alumni at SPX, the premier event for graphic novels, the comic arts, and cartooning. Stop by and say hi:

• MFA Visual Narrative and Cartoon Allies, Table G2
• Nathan Fox, Chair, Table W38-40
• Tony Chao (’21), Table E11B
• Sydney Chavan (’23), Table D7B
• Morgan Sawyer (’22), Table G12A
• Shing Yin Khor (’26), Table M5A
• Jim Rugg (former faculty), Table W64
• Andrew Alexander (RisoLAB CE Instructor), Table L8A

Check Out Our Community Members Presenting at Panels and Workshops:

Chair, Nathan Fox at “The Power Of Reference”
September 14, 11 AM–12:30 PM, Forest Glen Room
Creating empathetic characters, immersive worlds, and realistic props from either reference or imagination alone can be a daunting task. This workshop explores the importance of harnessing both your creative imagination and good research practices, combined for a liberating and transformational creative process. Learn some quick and efficient reference and research tricks, how to think spatially and draw sculpturally—using reference as inspiration rather than a crutch. Nathan Fox of SVA will lead the workshop.

Shing Yin Khor (’26) at “Carousel: Comics Performances”
September 14, 5 PM–6 PM, White Oak Room
Since 1997, R. Sikoryak has hosted Carousel, a series of comics readings and visual performances by cartoonists and theater artists, presented around the U.S. and Canada. This special edition of Carousel at SPX features exhibiting artists and guests, performing live. Join us for an audio-visual journey to the place where comics and performance collide! Featuring: Stan Mack (Stan Mack’s Real Life Funnies), Bianca Xunise, (Punk Rock Karaoke), Amy Kurzweill (Artificial: A Love Story), Jeffrey Brown (Kids Are Still Weird), Joel Christian Gill (Fights), Shing Yin Khor (The Legend Of Auntie Po), and R. Sikoryak (Constitution Illustrated).

Andrew Alexander (RisoLAB CE Instructor) at “The New Publishers”
September 14, 3 PM–4 PM, White Oak Room
This is a time of transition in the world of small-press publishing, as a number of long-time publishers have shuttered in recent years. Happily, many more publishers have arisen in their place, each with a different aesthetic, focus, and mission. Moderator John Warren will discuss the ins and outs of small press publishing with Daryl Seitchik (Parsifal Press), Nick Bunch (Reptile House), Alexander Laird (Frog Farm), Rachel Bivens (GoPress Girl), and Andrew Alexander (CRAM Books).

Andrew Alexander (RisoLAB CE Instructor) at “CRAM Books: The New Cutting Edge Of Comics”
September 15, 3 PM– 4 PM, White Flint Amphitheater
CRAM Books is a small press Riso publisher run by Andrew Alexander, produciing exciting and challenging new work. Join Alexander and moderator Rob Clough as they explore the origins and aesthetics of the press, along with long-time collaborator Max Huffman (CRAM anthology), Allee Errico (Froggie World), and Angela Fanche (Me & Night).

Buy SPX Tickets Here