Comics are a big deal for a lot of people, and they’re not just for kids. Chances are, if you loved comics as a child, you will forever carry a torch (possibly a human torch) for comic book characters throughout your life. And it’s not just the personalities of the characters that draw us in, it’s also the dynamic, colorful, creative, and clever artwork that captivates our imaginations.
Buffalo happens to be the home (or hometown) of a number of celebrated graphic artists, including Spain Rodriguez, Tom Toles, and Steve Fiorilla.
On Thursday May 18, Sugar City will be paying tribute to comic art, and those that bring it to life. The exhibit will include the works of Tom Van Deusen, Emily Churco, Kevin Delgado, Bobby Griffiths, Max Weiss, Caitlin Cass, Luckyanson Prak, Autumn McGee, Andie Jaram, and Sal Sciandra.
“What I like about comics is that it’s a visual medium,” said Sciandra, whose latest work, Citizens of Animal City can be seen in the lead image. “You can tell pretty quickly whether you buy into the style of the storyteller or not. There’s a wealth of talent here in WNY and it’s exciting and encouraging that Sugar City is showcasing it to the public. I’m grateful to have been included in this show.”
The exhibition is being hosted simultaneously with the Nickel City Comic Convention on May 19-21.
Tom Van Deusen is a cartoonist from Seattle, Washington. He is the writer of numerous comic books, including Scorched Earth, Eat, Eat, Eat and Now: That’s What I Call Comix v.1. His comics have appeared in The Seattle Weekly and online with Study Group Comics, Boing Boing and Vice.
Emily Churco is an illustrator, photographer, stuff-maker based in Buffalo, NY.
Kevin Delgado is an illustrator based in Buffalo, NY.
Bobby Griffiths is an illustrator and musician based in Buffalo, NY.
Max Weiss is an illustrator and musician based in Buffalo, NY.
Caitlin Cass makes comics, drawings and counterfeit historical exhibits inspired by failure throughout history.
Luckyanson Prak is a digital illustrator and animator in the Buffalo area.
Autumn McGee is an illustrator and fine artist based out of Buffalo, New York.
Andie Jaram is an MFA student at SUNY Buffalo studying illustration.
Sal Sciandra is a comics writer & artist based in Buffalo, NY.
Graphic Nature: Comic Art from Western New York
Opening Thursday May 18, 2017
7-9PM
On view from May 7th until May 30th
Gallery Hours: Fridays 5:30-7:30 PM, during events and by appointment
Sugar City 1239 Niagara St Buffalo, NY 14213
Lead image: Citizens of Animal City – a project by Sal Sciandra. Sal worked on this project as part of Sugar City’s Fun-a-Day project. Each day in February, Sal created a character. There are 28 characters – one for each day of the month.