The 2021 Latinx Comic Arts Festival Livestream!

 Starts Friday, 3/12/21 at 11am Pacific!

Click on the link or image below to join us LIVE

http://www.youtube.com/c/TheLatinxComicArtsFestival

Will you be there? Steal this graphic and share on your social!

Streaming live Friday and Saturday: 

http://www.youtube.com/c/TheLatinxComicArtsFestival 

The 2021 Full Schedule is Up!

You may also visit the full schedule any time by clicking on the "2021 Schedule" tab.  

Streaming live Friday and Saturday: 

http://www.youtube.com/c/TheLatinxComicArtsFestival 

SCHEDULE IN BRIEF

11:00 a.m. Mesoamerican Comics

12:00 p.m. Punk Feminism: Feminist Zines 

1:00 p.m. Borderland Cryptids and Legends:  La Llorona, Chupacabras, La lechuza, and More!

2:00 p.m. tba

3:00 p.m. Comics and Pandemic Futures

4:00 p.m. Storytelling Across Mediums with ProfessorLatinx

LCAFter Dark:

~5:00 p.m. Meet the LCAF Advisory

~5:15 p.m. Dibujando el Camino: Comics Design

~6:30 p.m. Comics in Conversation featuring "The Dukes" Dr. Elvira Carrizal-Dukes and Ronnie Dukes of DukesComics.com

SATURDAY

11:00 a.m. Families, Friends, Culture; Kids' Stories from Our Roots

12:00 p.m. Rise of the Latina Superhero

1:00 p.m. Muy Macho: Machismo and Latinidad in Comics and Visual Media 

2:00 p.m. Storytelling in the Age of Disinformation

3:00 p.m. Storytelling Across Mediums with Dr. José Alaniz 

4:00 p.m. Comics and Beer Forever!: Comadres y Comics in Conversation con DocTeeRoh

FULL PANEL DESCRIPTIONS

2021 Latinx Comic Arts Festival

 

FRIDAY

 

11:00 a.m.

Mesoamerican Comics 

Dustin Garcia (Moderator)

Daniel Parada
Louise Fogerty
Daron Antonio Smith
 

Interlinking Mesoamerican comics traditions of the pre-Columbian past with modern comics, this panel demonstrates the ancient traditions of comics in America and offers examples of the incorporation of themes, ideas, and comic conventions. The panel includes a heavy emphasis on how research influences panelists’ work.

12:00 noon
Punk Feminism: Feminist Zines of Latin America and their Diaspora

Sharon De La Cruz (Moderator)
Stephanie Aliaga
Draizys
Julia Valencia 
Breena Nuñez

A zine is a small-circulation self-published work of original or appropriated texts and images, usually reproduced via a photocopier, and is the product of either a single person or of a very small group. In this session, we will explore how the medium of zines continues to nourish the punk feminist scene in Latin America and its diaspora in the United States. Panelists will present their work and speak to how zines influenced their understanding of feminism, the differences and similarities between the medium in the U.S. and Latin America, archiving zines, and the future of punk feminism.

 
1:00 p.m.
Borderland Cryptids and Legends:  La Llorona, Chupacabras, La lechuza, and More!

Ray Ramos (Moderator)
Francisco Arce
Oliver Lee Arce
Javier Gutierrez

Cryptids are beings that exist without scientific evidence. Cryptozoologist, Ray Ramos leads this discussion on the effects that cryptids such as La Llorona have on our culture and the way that the mythologies of the Latinx community and beyond are interpreted and represented in comics and mainstream media...for better and for worse.

 
 
2:00 p.m.
2021 Virtual Gallery Walk

Join Dr. Theresa Rojas and Profesora Laura Manzo for a virtual tour of the premier Latinx Comic Arts Virtual Gallery!

3:00 p.m.
Comics and Pandemic Futures (pre-recorded)

Justin Rueff (Moderator)
Dr. Fernanda Díaz-Basteris
Javier Hernandez
Carlos “Loso” Perez
 

This panel discusses how the pandemic has affected the way creators and comic arts educators approach their work. They address questions of motivation, staying connected, re-mixing ideas, innovation, and change. What lessons and opportunities has the pandemic brought and what do these panelists see for the future of comic arts in changing times?

4:00 p.m.
Storytelling Across Mediums (I) with Professor LatinX (pre-recorded)

Dr. Frederick Luis Aldama (Moderator)
Jaime Crespo
Carlo A. Flores
Candy Briones
Alex Schumacher
 
In this first of two features about how comics creation translates into working across media/iums, panelists discuss engaging audiences well beyond comic books. These creators share their cultural, historical, satirical, semi-autobiographical, and transcendent work in television, video games, animation, toymaking, vlogging, webcomics, education, and more!

LCAfter Dark…

5:00 p.m.

Meet LCAFA! The Latinx Comic Arts Festival Advisory consists of eight members of the comic arts community, all working in different areas of comics production, education and support. In its first year, LCAFA has helped make it possible to present this virtual, innovative festival. Meet Katie Sweeny, Barbra Dillon, Luke Martinez, Kathryn Blackmer-Reyes, Dustin “Dus T’” Garcia, Jennifer Caroccio Maldonado, Jaime Crespo, and Manuel Martinez. 

 
5:15 p.m.
Dibujando el Camino: Comics Design

Bobby Hernandez (Moderator)
Jose Cabrera
Jason "J-Gonzo" Gonzalez
Oscar Garza

Join Bobby Hernandez, host of Cuentos Y Comics for this discussion of the role of various elements of design in the comics ecosystem. How might choices, such as color palette, composition, patterns, lines, character design, and tools of the trade work together to portray the possibilities of Latinx-centered universes?

6:30 p.m.
C2: Creators in Conversation #3 featuring "The Dukes":

Dr. Elvira Carrizal-Dukes and Ronnie Dukes of DukesComics.com
 

Join us for the third installment of “C2” with comics creators and power couple, Dr. Elvira Carrizal-Dukes and Ronnie Dukes, creators of the graphic novel A.W.O.L. as they discuss their super fascinating comic arts origin stories, journalism, filmmaking, collaboration, art practice, playwriting, traveling, projects, and narrative storytelling. They share the journey together building Dukes Comics and so much more!  

SATURDAY

11:00 a.m.
Families, Friends, Culture; Kids' Stories from Our Roots

Dr. Theresa Rojas (Moderator)
Cathy Camper
Isabel Quintero
Paul Meyer
Carlos Meyer
 

When creating books for kids of any age, where do ideas come from? How do we, as adults, come up with ideas that will interest and appeal to kids? How does one work around gatekeepers to make sure kids get books that reflect kids' worlds? Panelists share how family, friends, parenting, and the cultures these authors grew up in inspired their books for kids, and how they as creators have worked to create books that are both windows and mirrors of children's worlds.

12:00 p.m.
Rise of the Latina Superhero

Nelly Castillo (Moderator)
Kayden Phoenix
Amanda Juliana Gonzalez
Barbra Dillon
Maxi Rodriguez
 

The public has spoken! In the expanding universe of superheroes, Latina superheroes are on the minds of all. This panel discusses potential futures and implications of the rise of Latina superheroes, addressing such questions as: Where are they? How will they look? What are their powers? Most importantly, when will they be here? The time is now!

 
1:00 p.m.
Muy Macho: Machismo and Latinidad in Comics and Visual Media
Luke Martinez (Moderator)
Henry Barajas
Terry Blas
 

Deeply embedded in the experience of Latinidad is the struggle with Machismo. From outside of the culture comes judgments and stereotypes of all kinds - think for example, of the Latinx character tropes from “Latin Lovers” to gangsters or cholos or narcos. However, there is also a struggle within Latinx cultures because of how powerful this identity is, especially as it relates to those who do not adhere to it, those who challenge it, and those who are seen as dangers to it. In this panel, we will discuss the ways that this struggle from both sides is seen especially in Comics and other creative, visual mediums. 

.

 
2:00 p.m.
Storytelling in the Age of Disinformation

Barbra Dillon (Moderator)
Stephen Andes 
Desiree Proctor
Erica Harrell
 

For decades, comics have served as a storytelling medium that tackles hot-button issues across genres and age groups. Now, comics are taking on the age of disinformation, using narratives to examine those that would use misleading information to control others. Led by Barbra Dillon (Editor-in-Chief, Fanbase Press), this panel will discuss the current and upcoming comics that are addressing the spread of false information by higher authorities head on.

3:00 p.m.
Storytelling Across Mediums (II) with José Alaniz

 
Javier Solórzano
Crystal Gonzalez
Steven Prince
Catalina Rufín
Fernando de Pena

In this second of two features focusing on how comics creation translates into working across media/iums, panelists discuss engaging audiences well beyond comics books. Creators share their innovative and transcendent work in video, television, animation, toymaking, webcomics, film, education, marketing, and much more!

4:00 p.m. The LCAF Finale! 
Comics and Beer Forever!: The Comadres y Comics Interview with DocTeeRoh

Dr. Theresa Rojas (Moderator)
Kristen Parraz
Jennifer Lopez
Sara Bazan
 

Comadres y Comics is a podcast hosted by three Latinas highlighting the role that Latinxs have in the comic book industry, not only as creators but also as consumers and fans. Episodes include book reviews, “chisme de la semana,” discussions about the latest in popular culture, and the coveted “hora de las cervecita” where the Comadres rate the week’s beer selection. Latinx Comics Arts Festival Director, Dr. Theresa Rojas goes behind-the-scenes with Las Comadres for an exclusive interview and conversation about their show, working together, what keeps them going, and of course what everyone is drinking during this pandemic. It’s all the chisme you can handle in a single hour, and more! Content warning: May not be suitable for younger viewers.

Saturday at 6pm Pacific!

Join Cuentos Y Comics host Bobby Hernandez and special guest, Latinx Comic Arts Festival Director, Dr. Theresa Rojas for a conversation on pandemic life, art, the Festival, and more! 

Our own Dr. Theresa Rojas is today's guest for the Graphic Medicine Confab

 

GRAPHIC MEDICINE CONFAB - STUDY GUIDES!

FEBRUARY CONFAB

As you probably already know, The Graphic Medicine Confab is a roundtable conversation focusing on the challenges and techniques of making graphic medicine: comics about everything and anything to do with health, medicine, illness and our bodies. Each meeting has a theme and a facilitator and there's NO CHARGE! 

Here's info about our next 'Fab. (Not just for graphic medicine makers!)

COMICS STUDY GUIDES! WHAT ARE THEY? WHY CREATE THEM?

Comics are becoming popular classroom media for use by students from kindergarten to doctorate programs. 

 

Quince: The Definitive Bilingual Edition with a 
study guide by Theresa Rojas! 

Educational graphic medicine subjects include genetics, gender studies, race and racism, bioethics, patient experiences, epidemiology, violence, mental health, incarceration, and so much more. Comics about these topics can teach fact and theory, share lived experience, or provide thought-provoking narratives in a variety of formats. You might be making educational graphic medicine comics without realizing it!

Do you make comics that could be used in a classroom? If so, you might want some tips on ways to promote your work as (not just fantastically entertaining but also) educational. One way to inspire educators to use your comics in the classroom is to make study guides for your books. What is a study guide, you ask? Come to the GM Confab and find out.

Are you an educator interested in connecting with cartoonists and using more comics in the classroom? If so, you may want to share in the Confab conversation about study guides.

 

Wednesday, February 17 2021 at 5pm PT/8pm ET 

NO CHARGE!

Dr. Theresa Rojas joins the Graphic Medicine Confab facilitators Georgia Webber, Joel Christian Gill, Benjamin Schwartz, Kriota Willberg, and YOU, to talk all about study guides: what they are, how they are used, where to find them, how to make them, and more!

Join us to contribute ideas, ask questions, get feedback, and share resources.

Fill out this Google Form and we will send you the Zoom invite. 

Dr. Theresa Rojas is a Professor of English and Professor of Ethnic studies at Modesto Junior College, who teaches literature, creative writing, composition, and comparative media, with a speciality in post-1945 Comics Studies and Visual Culture. She is an Academic Senator and the Founding Director of the Latinx Comic Arts Festival. LCAF is the California Central Valley's international celebration of Latinx comic arts creators and friends, highlighting Latinx cartoonists, writers, animators, artists, and comic arts educators. She serves on the Executive Board of the Graphic Medicine International Collective and is developing a number of projects focusing on the intersection of Latinxs and graphic medicine. 

See you on the 17th!

Source: 

http://kriotawelt.blogspot.com/2021/02/graphic-medicine-confab-study-guides.html

The 2021 Latinx Comic Arts (Virtual) Festival is Coming!

BCAF 2021 First panel on BIPOC Comics Scholarship

Our own @DocTeeRoh joins the crew discussing the significance of scholarship on BIPOC comics for the 2021 Black & Brown Comix Arts Festival, virtual show.