International Cartoon Festival to tour Shropshire this summer

Shrewsbury’s International Cartoon Festival will be going on tour for the first time throughout Shropshire this year (2012), thanks to grant funding from Arts Council West Midlands.

This year’s theme is “Flights of Fancy”, and amongst the venues is RAF Museum Cosford. 

The highly-acclaimed festival starts on Thursday 5 April 2012 with the ‘Flights of Fancy’ exhibition at the Visual Arts Network gallery in Shrewsbury Market Hall.  The exhibition comprises around 80 new cartoons, originals and quality prints, by some of the best UK cartoonists.  Visitors will have the opportunity to buy these and other prints at the other venues throughout the county. 

The central weekend of live cartooning “Cartoonists Live” takes place from Thursday 19 April – Sunday 22 April 2012 in Shrewsbury and sees around 40 UK and international cartoonists descend on the county town to draw giant cartoons, free caricatures and run workshops and cartoon advice sessions.  

The main days are Friday 20 April 2012 and Saturday 21 April 2012, with much of the activity taking place in The Square and the indoor Market Hall. 

“Flights of Fancy” will then travel to The Qube in Oswestry from May to mid June 2012, Wem Town Hall from June to end of July 2012 and RAF Museum Cosford from August to mid-September 2012.  

Cartoon drawing will also feature, as each venue will host at least one cartoon workshop for the public to attend and work with a cartoonist. 

Shrewsbury International Cartoon Festival is organised by Shropshire Council, The Professional Cartoonists Organisation, Cath Tate Cards and Agate Design, and participating venues with support from Readers Digest and many volunteers and private sector sponsors.

Councillor Mike Owen, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member responsible for tourism and culture, said:-

“We are thrilled that Shrewsbury International Cartoon Festival will be touring Shropshire this year.  Now more of our residents and communities of all ages can enjoy and join in what has become a major international celebration of performing arts from around the world.” 

“We would like to thank the Arts Council for its continued support, and to those in industry and business and private individuals who give their generous help to ensure our festival continues to grow from strength to strength.”

Shropshire Councillor for Quarry and Coton Hill, Andrew Bannerman, said:

“Shrewsbury people always look forward to the Cartoon Festival as a breath of spring, and this year looks like being a great theme for those ingenious people who have comedy in their pencils.” 

Festival Chairman Roger Penwill said:

“We are very grateful to the Arts Council for their support of the Cartoon Festival, and the award will allow us to work for the first time with the Visual Art Network and the Shrewsbury Market Hall.  We are immensely looking forward to it, as it helps us bring cartoon art to a new audience.” 

For more information about Shrewsbury International Cartoon Festival, please call 01743 281200 or visit us at www.shrewsburycartoonfestival.com 

Further information

The “Flights of Fancy” exhibition is a selling exhibition, and as over 130 cartoons were submitted, the display will be refreshed and will vary at each venue.