Top Comic Book Artists to Display Work at UConn Stamford

The at UConn Stamford will be filled with work from 14 regional comic book artists, from August 4 to August 10. Gary Faulkner, an Administrative Operational Specialist and volunteer board member of the gallery, helped plan the event, which holds close meaning to his own childhood.

 "This event has been a year and a half in the making," Faulkner said. "This will be the first year that we will be doing this at UConn Stamford."

The theme of the event is 'Faster than a Speeding Bullet." Faulkner thought that it would be a good idea to hold a event at UConn Stamford because it matched up with their mission statement of showing underrepresented art in the gallery.

"When I was here five years ago, I was talking to one of the art gallery members about UConn's mission statement and that's when we decided comic book art would be a good underrepresented form to show," Falkner said.

The 14 artists who have agreed to participate in the event, range from aspiring artists to retired professionals. They will show comic books art in the form of web art to modern comics and comics that fans would have seen in the 1950's. Mort Walker, a well-known 1950's comic book artists will be there to show his work.

Artists will also show comics that may be familiar to many , known officially as comic blurbs or gag cartoons. Comic artists like Ray Billingsley will be there to show this type of art.

On the last day of the event, September 10, the artists will come together to sign autographs and take questions from fans.

"If we get a good turnout, we will do it again in a year," Faulkner said.

Editor's note: Below is a press release from UConn Stamford:

 Funnies, Superheroes, and Comic Book Art by Regional ArtistsAn Exhibit at UConn Stamford August 4th to September 10th Artists’ Alley Event on September 10th -- Bring the family! Young and old alike will delight in this show and special event Artists’ Alley on September 10th, where artists will discuss and sign works. Visitors to Artists’ Alley will receive free Marvel Comics calendars while supplies last.UConn Stamford Art Gallery hosts an exhibition of Cartoon, Comic Strip & Comic Book art called Faster Than a Speeding Bullet… an Exploration of Funnies, Superheroes and Comic Book Art by Regional Artists. The exhibit runs from August 4th to September 10th.The exhibit includes a collection of comic art from creators of Beetle Bailey (Mort Walker), Curtis(Ray Billingsley), Mama’s Boyz (Jerry Craft), Gus(Orlando Busino), The Enforcersand Crime Wave (Carl Herring, Jr.), graphic novelist/cartoonist Barbra Slate (Violet, DC’s Angel Love & Archie’s Betty & Veronica), Frank McLaughlin (Freelance illustrator to DC, Marvel, Archie comics) and many others. Also on display will be a 60-foot long mural depicting the history of America’s most famous comic characters by billboard artist Russell Rainbolt. Bring the family on Saturday, September 10th (first weekend after Labor Day) from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. for the Artists’ Alleyat UConn Stamford Art Gallery. The Artist’s Alley gives cartoon, comic strip and comic book fans the chance to meet and greet these exhibitors in person, some of whom will sell original art, books, and sketches, and will be available to sign autographs. Mort Walker will be on hand to autograph copies of his comic memoir Mort Walker’s Private Scrapbook. Copies will be on hand and will be sold at a discount with half of the proceeds benefitting UConn.Admission is FREE to the Exhibit and the Artists’ Alley.UConn Stamford is located at the corner of Washington Blvd. and Broad Street in downtown Stamford. FREEVisitor Parking is available at the UConn garage, 2nd level, on Washington Blvd. For more information contact Gary Faulkner at UConn Stamford 203.251.8400 or visit the UConn Stamford Art Gallery web site at http://stamford.uconn.edu/ArtGallery/index.html then click on calendar.