Introducing the Durham Indy Comics Expo (DICE)

I'm pleased to announce that I'm part of a team that's creating a new comics festival here in Durham, NC. Durham is a city that's reinventing itself as an arts and culture friendly space, drawing in visual artists, musicians, illustrators, animators, fashion designers and chefs. Durham also has a burgeoning comics scene, supported by local libraries. Working with Duke art professor and printmaker Bill Fick and Xeric-winning cartoonist Eric Knisley, we have created the Durham Indie Comics Expo, or DICE. The show is free for both exhibitors and attendees.

The show kicks off on Friday, November 8th, 2013. It will take place at Supergraphic, Fick's huge studio space at 601 Ramseur Street in Durham. From 7 to 9 pm, there will be an opening gallery show featuring the "long books" of Knisley (10 feet by 10 inches) and a presentation, as well as work by other participating artists.

On Saturday, November 9th, the show itself will take place from 11 am to 7 pm. The show will follow a festival model, emphasizing gallery work, panels and workshops. We will also have comics and prints available for sale, of course, but we want to give both exhibitors and attendees a chance to seek out programming and build relationships. DICE will have an excellent array of local cartoonists as well as some out-of-town guests; please see the website for a list of guests and panels.

As I mentioned earlier, the show is free for all. We will have some expenses to cover, including materials, refreshments, equipment and travel costs for some of the out-of-town guests. As such, we have a small indiegogo fundraiser in place to raise these funds. Please consider contributing to help give indy comics in the Durham area a boost. All funds raised will be invested back into the show.