Museum Go Round at the Explorium

Since I, Stevie, work at the Explorium, I wanted to inform all of my fellow comic creators of a dandy little event called the Museum Go Round. The Museum Go Round is a big deal as far as events go at the Explorium and is basically a special event for youngsters (18 and under) to become vendors and sell their art. The Museum admission is free that Saturday SEPTEMBER THE 22nd and there is an application for kids to operate a table and also for a group such as ours to operate a demo table. I already have the application and I would be really excited about operating a workshop on cartooning that day whilst simultaneously promoting our club to tons of kids. Here is a cut and paste of the basic info from the Explorium website, (www.explorium.com), let me know what you think.

Museum GO Round 2007 needs you!

What it is. Museum Go Round (MGR), our most anticipated event, is a street festival - complete with hands-on activities, workshops, food, and entertainment - designed for young artists (18 and under) to show and sell their work. Every year we have over 100 young artists participate with everything from sculpture to hand-made cards; jewelry to paintings; flip flops to photography. Designed to provide a real-world experience, MGR provides our young artists the challenge of overhead, display, customer service and profits (all theirs to keep, by the way!).

What you need to know. It all happens on Saturday, September 22. We’ll close Short Street (from Broadway to Felix Street) for the day. “Booths” are $10.00. Individuals or groups are encouraged to participate. The event runs 11am until 4pm.

What you can do. Join us! You’ll find a MGR Artist Application here. Print it out and send it in. Any art form is acceptable as long as it’s yours. After we receive your application, we’ll follow up with you: confirm your space, give you set-up information and any other details as they develop.

The Kentucky Arts Council, a state agency in the Commerce Cabinet, provides operational support funding for Explorium of Lexington with state tax dollars and federal funding from the National Endowment for the Arts, which believes that a great nation deserves great art.

09/28/06 - Explorium: Comic Convention

NEWS RELEASE

Family Comic Book Convention
at Explorium of Lexington October 28

Contact: Deanna McDaniel, Marketing Director
(859) 258-3253 x19
mcdaniel@explorium.com

Explorium of Lexington is hosting the Bluegrass’ first Family Comic Book Convention,
Explor-A-Con, Oct. 28th from 10 am to 6 pm. a family-friendly version of the huge comic book conventions in Chicago and San Diego, the convention features an amateur comic book art show for artists under the age of 21. It will open up a whole avenue of creativity for young artists. Central Kentucky’s young people can sculpt an action figure, paint a super hero portrait, draw a 9-panel comic page or use their favorite graphic software to create a cover design – anything that they can imagine drawing inspiration from manga, graphic novels or comic books.

Essential convention programming takes an interesting twist at Explor-A-Con. In addition to the art show, there will be workshops in creature illustration, an “artists’ alley” with artists offering original artwork for sale, a demonstration on designing a web comic and a panel discussion with local comic industry professionals. “Every aspect of the programming ties in with literacy, art, technology and encouraging people of all ages to explore their own creativity,” said Deanna McDaniel, Marketing Director of Explorium. “Comic books are valid literary tools. Besides that, they’re fun.”

Explorium is hosting this convention not only to promote young artists, but also to encourage the learning that comes with exploring new territory. “Comics are not just illustrations. Graphic Novels work with words to tell the story. Great for reluctant readers,” said Jan Isenhour, Executive Director, Carnegie Center for Literacy and Learning. The first 100 people will receive exclusive grab bags full of prizes including PETA comics and Explorium freebies.

“Many of today’s comics rely heavily on allusion, satire, irony, and parody to make a point. Students discover they might actually need to know such terms for reasons other than analyzing a Dickinson poem. Making this connection has strengthened their understanding of terms,” Sharon F. Webster, English literacy coach at Narragansett High School in Narragansett, Rhode Island.

And of course, there’s the fun! Children in costume will receive a dollar discount off regular admission. In addition to the typical programs Explor-A-Con will also feature a live action battle between Super Heroes and Villains performed by the Known World Players. The workshop that follows will be of particular interest to people who aren’t quite ready for Halloween - a costume specialist will demonstrate how to make your own costumes based on comic book characters. Clay Held of Kid Twisted Comics will lead a workshop on creating your own web comic.

“Go experience it. Comic stores and comics have evolved. Comics and graphic novels incorporate all genres for all different kinds of people," said Elissa Lynch of Diamond Comics. Fans of classic literature will even have the chance to meet the author and artist from the Frankenstein comic book offered by Dead Dog Comics, R.D. Hall and Mark Kidwell.

For a full schedule check out www.explorium.com or www.myspace.com/explorium