Festival draws top cartoonists to Shrewsbury
This year’s highly-acclaimed Shrewsbury International Cartoon Festival will see a host of cartoonists and caricaturists descend on the county town for the Cartoonists Live weekend from Thursday 19 April 2012 – Sunday 22 April 2012.
The artists from all over the UK will be joined by five French cartoonists whose work is on display at Theatre Severn’s upper floor gallery from Friday 20 April 2012.
On Friday 20 April 2012 and Saturday 21 April 2012, artists will be drawing for the public in The Square and in Shrewsbury Market Hall, and offering a variety of workshops to encourage everyone to have a go at cartoon art.
Shropshire-based cartoonists include Angela Martin, who has an exhibition at Cath Tate Cards from 19 April – 3 May 2012; caricaturist Chris Ryder; cartoonists and comic artists Steve Bright and Charlie Adlard; and Festival chairman Roger Penwill, who gives a cartoon illustrated talk on hot air balloons on Thursday 19 April 2012.
Political cartoonist Steve Bell, well-known for his ‘If’ strip in The Guardian, is also giving an illustrated talk on the art of political cartooning. Andy Davey, editorial cartoonist for The Sun, will be drawing a giant cartoon in The Square, along with gag cartoonists Dredge, Bestie, The Surreal McCoy and many more.
Shrewsbury International Cartoon Festival is organised by Destination Shrewsbury, which includes Shropshire Council, Shrewsbury Town Council, Shrewsbury Business Chamber and Tourism Association and Shop in the Loop, with Shrewsbury Civic Society and the PCO (Professional Cartoonists Organisation).
The Festival also attracts many other artists to Shrewsbury as visitors.
Mike Owen, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member with responsibility for tourism and culture, said:
“Shrewsbury Cartoon Festival is a unique event, and has established a specialist audience amongst cartoon artists and enthusiasts as well as being great fun for residents and visitors to the town.”
Andrew Bannerman, local Shropshire Councillor for Quarry and Coton Hill, said:-
“The Cartoon Festival is a major part of Shrewsbury’s cultural offer at the start of the Summer Season, and always brings a delightful mixture of artists, celebrating the great art of drawing cartoons; something the English have practised longer than most nations. Our sense of humour is a dominant trait in our culture and long may it remain so!”
More information about all the Festival activities visit www.shrewsburycartoonfestival.com
Just a reminder….
Shrewsbury’s International Cartoon Festival will be going on tour for the first time throughout Shropshire this year, thanks to grant funding from the Arts Council West Midlands.
This year’s theme is “Flights of Fancy” and amongst the venues is RAF Museum Cosford.
The county tour starts on 6 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.
“Flights of Fancy” will then travel to The Qube in Oswestry from May to mid-June, Wem Town Hall from June to end of July, and RAF Museum Cosford from August to mid- September 2012.
About Destination Shrewsbury:
Destination Shrewsbury is a partnership organisation with responsibility for promoting business and tourism in Shrewsbury.
The Partnership brings together the public, private, voluntary and community sectors including Shropshire Council, Shrewsbury Town Council, Shrewsbury Business Chamber and Tourism Association, and Shop in the Loop.
Destination Shrewsbury’s main aim is to promote Shrewsbury as a prime location to live, work, visit and invest in.
Shrewsbury International Cartoon – list of Festival Artists 2012
Huw Aaron
Charlie Adlard
Ian Baker
Steve Bell
Rupert Besley
Steve Best (Bestie)
Steve Bright (Brighty)
Jonathan Cusick
Antoine Darmatoff
Will Dawbarn (Wilbur)
Andy Davey
Denis Dowland
Pete Dredge
Robert Duncan
Hunt Emerson
Noel Ford
Jean Gouders
Paul Hardman
Tim Harries
Alex Hughes
Tim Leatherbarrow
Emmanuel Maillard
Angela Martin
Surreal McCoy
Rob Murray
Roger Penwill
Jean-Michel Renault
John Roberts
Chris Ryder
Cathy Simpson
Rich Skipworth
Bill Stott
Roger Thisselin
Phil Umbdenstock
Steve Way
Portfolios and information about many of the artists can be found at www.procartoonists.org the website of the Professional Cartoonists Organisation, which helps to organise Shrewsbury Cartoon Festival.
