Baltimore Comic Con

It's one of our favorite cons of the year! AWA will be at the booth of Geppi's Entertainment Museum from 1:00 PM -5:00PM and at the musuem itself during its extended con hours from 6:00 PM -  8:00 PM on Saturday, September 6, 2014. From 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM on Sunday, September 7, 2014, we'll be at the museum. Come see us during the con at Booth #2112 and come see our artists during these set times:

Saturday, September 6, 2014

Andrew Smart: 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM (during the con)

Art Way Alliance: 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM (at the museum) 

Sunday, September 7, 2014 (at the museum)

Andrew Smart: 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM 

Tyrone Barnes: 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM 

Keir Lyles: 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM 

Ashley Gonzales: 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM

Thank you very much to Geppi's for sharing their space with us! We're excited to join our booth buddies!

Update: A previous version said Ashley Gonzales was confirming. She has. 

Video Gamers United - Recap

AWA had a FANTASTIC time at Video Gamers United!

You can't go wrong at a con where a massive Donkey Kong angrily greets you at the entrance. We met great people, saw great costumes, and conquered great video games. Our featured artists received a lot of praise for their work, and we made fantastic connections that we can't wait to tell you about in the future. 

Members of the army pose with Optimus Prime

At no other con could video gamers and programmers seamlessly interact with branches of the military, DC government, universities and the Washington Nationals. Military personnel were just as excited to see Optimus Prime and Tifa as we were. The Air Force brought in a jet - yes, you read that right, a jet - to the show. The marines challenged people to test their physical might with pull-ups. The Washington Nationals brought a baseball video game simulator and cornhole for people to play.

Our artists showed off their skills with color, clay, and flower creations. All were impressed with their unique styles and knowledge. Some artists even gave pointers to interested children who sat down to draw. Children and adults alike played multiple video games on multiple platforms, including, but not limited to: Mario Kart, Soul Calibur, Halo, and Madden. Tournaments were held, for both video and card games, with grand prizes of $1,000.00; $3,000.00; or even $5,000.00. 

A select group of people who donated to Children's Hospital were able to play video games with said celebrities such as Dante Basco and Clinton Portis. But celebrities didn't stay secluded. Dante Basco, otherwise known as Prince Zuko from Avatar and Rufio from Hook, took the time to come visit with the AWA's con team. He was incredibly down to earth, and we thank him for taking the time to talk to us. 

Best. Selfie. Ever. 

 Were you at VGU? If so, what was your favorite part?

VGU - Video Gamers United

Join AWA at the DC Convention Center on Saturday, August 16th and Sunday, August 17th for Video Gamers United, the premier con dedicated to everything games:

It's sure to be a lot of fun (and there's a JET?!). Come find us and our friends:

Keir Lyles

Darren Soto

Andrew Smart

and Image featured artist 

Chris Pyrate

Location TBD! 

Awesome Con Recap

In only one short year, Washington D.C.’s premier three day comic book convention has grown leaps and bounds. The event, held at Walter E. Washington’s Convention Center, had thousands of fans come out to see artists, writers, and geek pop icons. Billie Piper (Doctor Who), actors from the Walking Dead, past Power Rangers, Sesame Street puppeteers, and a real life astronaut all brought joy to small and big kids alike.

Just as awesome as the down to earth guests were the original costumes and Cosplayers. Not only were there amazing costumes from comic books, but from manga, television, and other SciFi mediums as well. Parents even dressed up with their kids!

The Con allowed for great interactions and opportunities. Our friends at T.B.D. and Comic Cupcakes offered seven-minute drawings and beautiful superhero confectionery treats respectively. Artists like Chris Pyrate, Steve Conley, Ashley Gonzales, and Keir Lyles offered on the spot commissions and gorgeous prints for people of all ages, genders, orientation and, of course, interests.

But the highlight for AWA? Meeting Andrew Aydin and Congressman John Lewis of MARCH. The two graciously autographed copies of their best seller and interacted with their adoring fans. The duo was amazing to meet, and we hope our paths will cross again soon. All this would not have been possible without the efforts of Third Eye Comics and Awesome Conventions. We can’t wait to see what next year’s Awesome Con brings.

P.S. Our affiliates at Rockmere Comics were interviewed for about Awesome Con by the Washingon Hispanics, and we got a shout out! 

Awesome Con!

Join Us At: 

Booth Numbers T-5 and T-7

That's right! AWA will be at Awesome Con at the DC Convention Center April 18-20, 2014.

  

Come see our great artists in action (and leave with some of their work in tow!)

All Weekend: 

Ashley Gonzales

Darren Soto

Jamie Starr

Saturday: 

Special Guest Alejandro Bruzzese

Sunday: 

Face Painter Corey Morgan

And come see our friends, scattered throughout the Convention Center: 

Rockmere Comics - 422

PressPlay Entertainment - 422

Tyrone Barnes - E9

Keir Lyles - Apocrypha Comics - J-8
T.B.D. & Comic Cupcakes - L14
Chris Pyrate (at Third Eye Comics Booth on 4/19 signing featured summer shirts!) - 400

Get the map here.

Be Prepared - December 7th

December 7th will be a busy day for Art Way Alliance, and we would love for you to join us. We've got 3 cons that are super tailored to whatever interest you may have.

Patriot-TTC's 6th Annual Video Jam 2013 - The Video Jam Conference, held at Prince George's Community College, teaches children how to make their own video games with the software Microsoft Kodu. Kids then compete in groups to see who invented the best game. Expect lots of playable games like Madden), and a slew of other non-profits helping out. AWA's Keir Lyles will be there teaching children how to character design their video game characters as they prepare for their competition. There is a registration fee of $25 (members) and $35 (non-members) for those who would like to participate.

Delta Sigma Theta Sorority's Prince William County Alumnae Chapter's 4th Annual Red Carpet Showcase - Held from 2 PM - 5 PM at Cougar Elementary School, this event features emerging artists, musicians, and authors in the DMV area deserving of your support. These artists are selling their product, and are some of the nicest, most creative people that you could meet. AWA founder Eric Suggs, Jr. will be there to showcase the art of our instructors. Special guests include NAACP Image Award winning author Victoria Christopher Murray.

Blakescape  - This premier conference is sure to be a blast. Merging conference and expo, this event features technology, video gaming, and art. Expect anything from  live demos and presentations of new technology (both professional and student-designed) to professional comic book artists with insight in the business. AWA will be there with information about our future programs and with a featured artist who would be willing to consult anyone on their art techniques.

What do you think? Any cons that peak your interest? Sound off below. And don't forget to tell others about this epic day! 

AWA Loves Cola-con

AWA Loves Cola-con

Last weekend, Art Way Alliance was at Cola-con in Charleston, South Carolina. Cola-con is the only convention that focuses on hip-hop, comic books, and the *usually* unspoken relationship between the two. For the past two years, Cola-con has found validation among the hip-hop community. Talib Kwali, 9^th Wonder, and Ghostface Killer of the WuTang Clan have all appeared at the convention. This year, the positive energy continued with performances from Foreign Exchange and Dead Prez. Comic book artists, writers, and painters ranging from Sanford Greene and John Hairston, Jr. to Chuck Brown to T.M. Showers were present in Artists’ Alley.  Needless to say, the music and art was phenomenal.