Compete, create, become a superhero . . .
Artists and fans of all ages and skill levels can create and become superheroes during Nickel Plate Arts’ Comic Book in a Day. The daylong celebration of comics and graphic novels is Saturday, Oct. 6 at its new home in Ignite Studio at the Fishers Library.
“We are celebrating our fifth year of this remarkable event by embracing partnerships that allow us to expand, improve and explore new options,” said Nickel Plate Arts Executive Director Aili McGill. “Ignite is a perfect new home for this event, which combines literature, illustration, creativity and adventurous learning, and the new space allows us to spread out and include more artists than ever before.”
One of the highlights of the annual event is a 12-hour comic book challenge, where artists are challenged to create a six-page comic book from scratch in a competition for art supplies, comic books and cash. Last year’s champion, Adam Fields, will be one of the guests of honor at this year’s event.
Those not looking to take part in the challenge can still channel their inner superhero by attending “Superhero University,” creating their own masks and even testing their X-ray vision and super strength. Other super-powered presentations will feature superhero sculptures, 3D-printed toys and the underground art world of Zines.
“If you’ve been curious about comics in general, but don’t know where to begin, you can drop by throughout the day and get suggestions on what to read or where to go to get started,” said McGill. “If you are an artist who has wanted to try making comics or graphic novels, you can jump in on the challenge, or talk to each of the artists about their experiences, approaches and lessons learned.”
Several local professional comic artists will be on-hand to meet attendees and display their work. They include Stuart Sayger, known for his work in comics such as LEGO: Bionicle, G.I. Joe and Jeepers Creepers, as well as Sterling Clark, who has been a champion for featuring more diversity in his comics such as Renegade and Ntombinde, and Victor Dandridge, owner of Vantage:Inhouse Productions and publisher of The Samaritan, Origins Unknown and The Trouble W/Love.
Comic Book in a Day runs from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. at Ignite Studio, with a full schedule of events leading up to the awards ceremony set for 8:30 p.m. You can visit Nickel Plate Arts online for more information about the competition, rules and regulations and to register to compete.
About Nickel Plate Arts
Nickel Plate Arts is an umbrella nonprofit organization that creates and coordinates arts and cultural experiences across communities to improve the quality of life for residents, strengthen local economies and enrich experiences for visitors. Nickel Plate Arts is a project of Hamilton County Tourism, Inc. The Nickel Plate Arts Trail extends 30 miles through Fishers, Noblesville, Cicero, Arcadia, Atlanta and Tipton. Visit Nickel Plate Arts at 107 S. 8th St., Noblesville, online at nickelplatearts.org or call 317-452-3690.