Comic Strip Classroom!

Geppi's Entertainment Museum will host AWA's ​Comic Strip Classroom on July 19, 2014 from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM. Come learn how to develop a story in three simple comic book panels from four established artists! Cost is included in paid admission for non-museum members and free for museum members. 

60 spots are available and reservations are recommended! Contact Andy Hershberger at handy@geppismuseum.com or call 410-625-7066 to register.

Geppi's presents all aspects of pop culture throughout American history in both an exciting and education manner that is unparralled. Come early for a chance to walk the museum before the event!

For more information, check out our press release here. 

UPDATE JULY 14, 2014

Due to unforeseen circumstances, AWA regrets to inform you that we must postpone our Comic Strip Class with Geppi Entertainment.  But don't worry! We have other events planned throughout the area, and fully intend to keep you up to date. 

INDEPENDENCE DAY Updates

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY!

We hope you had a fun and safe Independence Day this weekend. May your fireworks be bright and your hot dogs be grilled to perfection. It's already been a great summer for AWA, and we still have two months to go! In celebration of recent partnerships (including Geppi's) and our love of books, we are marking July as a month of reading. To make good comics, you must read good comics. Therefore, we will provide you with a list of age appropriate, imaginative, diverse comic books to immerse yourselves in during summer vacation. We've already highlighted some great comic books on our blog, and we can't wait to tell you more, but most importantly, we want to hear from you! What are your favorite comics and graphic novels? Facebook, tweet, or even email us your suggestions. You might see your recommendations in our posts! In addition, AWA will teach Reading and Writing Comics, a one day class in partnership with Reading Camp Maryland at the Saint Nicholas Lutheran Church in Huntingtown, MD, on July 14. Reading Camp Maryland's week long camp (July 14-18) teaches struggling and at-risk children in grades 2 - 4 how to develop a love of reading. For this year's theme, "Mighty Reading Avengers," children discover both real and fictional heroes through diverse books and talks from brave police officers and firefighters. Art Way Alliance will teach the children how to read, write, and eventually create a comic book of their own. We can't wait. If you or someone you know would like to host a similar class, please contact us via email for more information.

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.

Annapolis Book Festival

You've probably seen pictures on our Facebook about the event. (If not, go check them out here!) But we just had to tell you about the amazing time we had at the Key School!

Children gather around Phil Cho's while drawing at the Annapolis Book Fair. 

AWA was in the Comic Key section of the Book Fair. We had lovely artists selling their beautiful art, talks from Geppi Entertainment Museum and the Museum of Science Fiction, and art demos by Batman enthusiast Phil Cho (pictured above) and Character Design artist Darren Soto. We also had an area for kids to draw on paper or create their own Superhero Mask.

Great mask! 

Throughout the day, we met amazing people who showed their creativity and interest as soon as they walked through the door. We had three year old children who already knew their favorite superhero. There were mothers who walked their children through every character in the Bat Family. Fathers asked us for comic book recommendations - and even provided some of their own.

But the highlight of our day was definitely the Character Design Demo given by Darren Soto. Soto asked children to provide three words, and from there, would create characters based on the given vocabulary. When Soto challenged them to think outside the box with their words, they did not disappoint. "Belligerent" and "bellicose" ended up on the board - and they were provided by third graders!

From there, Soto asked the kids to draw the characters they created on the board. The art that emerged was phenomenal. From Moose C.E.O.s to a Spider-man (who was there!) fish hybrid, the kids did it all.

If you want more information about the Annapolis Book Fair, feel free to contract us, and we won't hesitate to tell you more. Our deepest thanks go to the organizers of event: Liz Glass, Ginny Nayden, and Stephanie Reisinger. Without their attention to detail, devotion, and enthusiasm, this would not have been possible. Our next event is Awesome Con, and it is sure to live up to its moniker, so come out! You don't want to miss the fun.

Superior Spider-man demands you to try to come! 

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.