12PM Make Your Own Comic Strip with J. Robert Deans & John Gallagher

Everyone has a story to tell, and J. Robert (Shakes, Bear of A.U.N.T) and John (Max Meow) are here to help. Kids of all ages will create multi-panel comic strips of their very own, and learn about story structure, word balloons, and sound effects. Pow! Zap! It’s gonna be fun!

1PM Cat & Dog Cut-Out Adventures

Ryn Gallagher (Zoey & Ketchup Adventures) will help kids make their own 3-D hero cat or dog, complete with a cape, mask, and even a space helmet! Using markers, crayons, scissors (and a whole lotta imagination), the audience will have a barking good time! WOOF!

2PM  Draw Star Wars with Jedi Jamie Cosley

Jamie (Star Wars Magazine, Bluescar) uses the force teach students to draw fun and funny versions Darth Vader, Baby Yoda, and Ewoks, simple steps and easy shapes. Always fun time— all Sith must refrain from using electric powers while Jamie is drawing.

3PM  Let’s go Lego! with John Gallagher

John Gallagher (Max Meow) teaches you how to draw Lego versions of your favorite characters. From Harry Potter to Spider-Man, kids will learn to draw using simple shapes. Everything is AWESOME!

12PM Superhero & Villain Mix & Mash with Arsia Rozegar

Everyone has their favorite Superheroes and Villains—what kind of character will you create when you combine the two? Join educator/artist Arsia Rozegar (Iron Man, Hulk, Shahnameh For Kids), for this fun drawing lesson.

1PM Comic Costume Academy with Carolyn Belefski

Every hero needs a logo! Join artist and designer Carolyn Belefski (Curls) and learn how to incorporate graphic design elements to create an icon and establish your own powerful visual identity. Kids can then place the logos on the provided capes, and… up, up, and away!*

*Kids Love Comics does not guarantee kids will actually fly

2PM Cat Crusader Versus Your Vile Villain! With John Gallagher

Comic creator John Gallagher (Max Meow) shares his insight on making comics and helps you create a silly villain and a perilous plot. How will the heroic Cat Crusader save the day? That’s up to you! MEOW-ZA!

John Gallagher

John has loved comics since he was five. He learned to read through comics and went on to read every book in his elementary school library. When he told his mom there was nothing left to read, she said “Just because a book’s over doesn’t mean the stories end. Why don’t you tell me what happens next?” And so John began creating comics to continue his favorite stories. John never stopped drawing comics. He’s now the art director of the National Wildlife Federation’s Ranger Rick magazine and the co-founder of Kids Love Comics, an organization that uses comics and graphic novels to promote literacy.

www.maxmeow.com

Carolyn Belefski

Carolyn Belefski is a versatile artist, illustrator, and comic creator. She has constructed many published works, exploring themes ranging from slice-of-life humor to introspective narratives. Carolyn writes and draws the comic strip, Curls. She collaborates with Joe Carabeo on the comic books Black Magic Tales, French Fry Club, and The Legettes. Carolyn serves as Washington, DC chapter chair of the National Cartoonists Society.

Website: www.carolynbelefski.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/carolynbelefski

Joe Carabeo is a northern Virginia based award winning creative with a BFA in Photo and Film from VCU. Joe has produced film, commercials, music, podcasts, and festivals. Joe is the Program Director for the Awesome Con Short Film Festival and DC Shorts International Film Festival. His films have won awards in photography, cinematography, acting, local, best in show, and best narrative categories.

Website: www.joecarabeo.com

Jamie is the cartoonist for Star Wars Insider magazine. His comic, The Light Side, has appeared on page 10 since April of 2017. Jamie is also the co-creator of BlueScar the Barbarian, which can be found on patreon.com/jamiecosley !

www.jamiecosley.com

Arsia Rozegar first broke into the comic book industry in 1999 as a Color Artist on Spawn: Dark Ages and Kiss: Psycho Circus for Todd McFarlane and Image Comics.  Shortly after, he began coloring different comics for Marvel, enjoying extended stints on flagship titles such as The Incredible Hulk and Iron Man. His latest endeavor is as creator and author of an illustrated children’s book series retelling ancient Persian myths and legends called Shahnameh For Kids.

Visit arsiarozegar.com and ShahnamehForKids.com to see more.

J. Robert Deans has doodled all of his life. During his nearly ten-year career selling comics, he started drawing them with CRASS FED, a webcomic featuring his signature sense of humor. Wondering what was next after being laid off, a silly idea struck: a cow lost in space. That idea became MOO THOUSAND AND PUN, which was the first in the SHAKES THE COW series of children’s picture books. Spy adventures for young readers followed with the BEAR FROM AUNT graphic novel series. Other series include the “choose your own” inspired series STEER YOUR OWN STORY, and the soft-boiled noir series of serialized short stories exclusive to his Patreon, GRAND PUNWICK MYSTERY THEATER.

– www.grandpunwick.com

– patreon.com/jrobertdeans