Boston Comic Arts Foundation
At BCAF, we believe in the power of comics to inspire, educate, and bring people together. That's why we help promote spaces for both creators and readers to find one another, exchange ideas, and grow as a community.
- Back again this year: Ashland Library Young Artists Comics fest! If you know any young artists, encourage them to apply for their own table to sell their work! And if you want to support young artists, register to attend! Registration links below!
- On Monday 2/2, Picture + Panel serves up a conversation about food and family with Robert Mgrdich Apelian and Shaina Lu. Deborah Norkin, Pangyrus Food Writing Editor, will moderate. Register for free at www.bostoncomicarts.org/event-detail...
- Come together to share the practice of creating comics every hour of the day. Join a panel of local cartoonists Damian Alexander, Caroline Hu, and Sanika Phawde in a discussion moderated by educator and comics-maker Jerel Dye. Register at www.bostoncomicarts.org/event-details/hourly-comics-day-2026
- January's newsletter giveaway comes from Frog Farm! Frog Farm is a small press comics publisher that also hosts regular comic reading and animation screening events in Brooklyn. They print and hand make all their comics, and they are always funny and weird worldbuilding stories. Entry details below!
- Tomorrow! Register at: www.bostoncomicarts.org/event-detail...
- On 1/5 at 7pm, Picture + Panel confronts the weight of loss with Tom Hart and Jesse Mechanic. Discussing two beautiful graphic memoirs, we explore how comics can transform unspeakable loss into art that remains. Register at www.bostoncomicarts.org/event-detail...
- On 1/5 at 7pm, Picture + Panel confronts the weight of loss with Tom Hart and Jesse Mechanic. Discussing two beautiful graphic memoirs, we explore how comics can transform unspeakable loss into art that remains. Register at www.bostoncomicarts.org/event-detail...
- It's been amazing year for comics: great Picture + Panel discussions, our first citywide read, and more incredible festivals, workshops, and talks than can fit into one post. To help us put on more events, support creators, and nurture future artists, consider donating www.bostoncomicarts.org/donate
- Graphic novels, despite building bridges of understanding, are disproportionately targeted for censorship. Boldly state that you read banned comics in this t-shirt designed by MA-based illustrator Ellen T. Crenshaw. Get yours at www.bonfire.com/34i-read-banned-comics34-fundraiser/
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- A #GivingTuesday message from BCAF's Executive Director Shelli Paroline (@shelliparoline.bsky.social) "I wanted to share a little message of hope in the form of a comic. When reflecting on this past year, I couldn’t help but think of the magical work of local creator Brittney Bourne.
- At events throughout the year, our volunteers asked people to draw Mice for MICE! Check out some of the awesome results and get hyped for MICE THIS WEEKEND! We'll see you there! Register for MICE for FREE at www.micexpo.org/events/mice-2025
- The Mass Senate passed "An Act Regarding Free Expression," which protects the right to access books in MA and safeguards creators, librarians, educators, and book professionals. The bill is now moving to the House! Visit www.massfreedomtoread.org/act and follow the steps there to show your support!
- A great write up about our workshop, Lynn Makes Comics! Check out the article and keep your eyes peeled for the exciting workshops coming in 2026! itemlive.com/2025/11/13/lynn-makes-comics-workshop/ www.bostoncomicarts.org/workshops
- MICE @massmice.bsky.social kicks off with "Comics in the Divided Age" at WBUR Cityspace! Joel Christian Gill @joelchristiangill.bsky.social talks with Ben Passmore @benpassmore.bsky.social and Alan Jenkins @alanjenkins.bsky.social. Registration link below! Use the code "MICE5" to get $5 off.
- December's Picture + Panel "Surviving Childhood" confronts the weight of difficult childhoods with Melissa Mendes and Travis Dandro. We hope to see you on 12/1! Register at: www.bostoncomicarts.org/event-details/picture-panel-surviving-childhood
- Tomorrow, 11/13, at 6pm, the creators of WILL EISNER: A COMICS BIOGRAPHY discuss their book at the Jewish Heritage Center. Hope to see you there! hubs.americanancestors.org/will-eisner-...
- Reposted by Boston Comic Arts FoundationJoin cartoonists Eleri Harris and Shay Sarah Mirk to celebrate the release of their book, Making Nonfiction Comics: A Guide for Graphic Narrative at Porter Square Books: Boston Edition. Finally, a guide into one of the most transformative ways of creating comics!
- Artist Tana Ford (@tanaford.bsky.social) gave us a peek into her studio! To learn more about Tana's process, join us at Picture + Panel on Monday, 11/3 at 7pm, where Tana will talk with Colleen AF Venable (@colleenaf.bsky.social)! www.bostoncomicarts.org/event-detail...
- The Massachusetts Independent Comics Expo is coming up in December! Want to help bring together a great show? Find out how you can help at micexpo.org/volunteer! @massmice.bsky.social
- Excited to see all the energy from the 2025 Mass Book Awards last week! Congrats again to @studiojjk.bsky.social and SUNSHINE as the first winner of the new graphic novel category!
- At November's Picture + Panel, @tanaford.bsky.social and @colleenaf.bsky.social talk about cats! Join us on 11/3 at 7pm for their discussion! Sign up at: www.bostoncomicarts.org/event-detail...
- This month's newsletter giveaway comes from @gopressgirl.bsky.social ! Go Press Girl is a new publisher of comics, zines, and other oddments, with a focus on community and artmaking as a gift-giving practice. Sign up for our newsletter at bostoncomicarts.us5.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=...
- It's Banned Books Week and BCAF is proudly partnered with Mass Freedom to Read, which is working on passing legislation so that MA librarians, educators, authors, and publishers have protects against bans and censorship. We support An Act Regarding Free Expression (H.3594/S.2328)!
- Learn mindful drawing and create alongside other comic fans in this free comics workshop for ages 10-18! Starts on 10/15! Sign up at www.bostoncomicarts.org/event-detail...
- We'll be at the Cambridge Science Carnival this Sunday, 9/21! Come see us for some comics-fueled STEAM fun! cambridgesciencecarnival.org
- Announced today: the line up for the Young Adult Author Symposium @yaas-concord.bsky.social happening in November! Check out all the amazing graphic novelists that'll be there!
- This month's newsletter giveaway comes from @averyhill.bsky.social a UK independent publisher committed to supporting young creators and boasting a unique catalogue! To win free graphic novels from Avery Hill, sign up for BCAF's newsletter tinyurl.com/zccmy9rr and enter at tinyurl.com/32b32scd
- We were thrilled to pair with the Mass Center for the Book to help create a graphic novel category for the Mass Book Awards! And we're just as excited to celebrate Sunshine by @studiojjk.bsky.social as the inaugural winner!
- One week until Picture + Panel on 9/8! Štěpánka Jislová and Sofia Szmosi question narratives that shape love and self-image in a discussion titled "Lies the TV Told Me" Register at www.bostoncomicarts.org/event-details/picture-panel-lies-the-tv-told-me-with-stepanka-jislova-and-sofia-szamosi
- We're now a member of the Massachusetts Freedom to Read a coalition of organizations that believes freedom of expression, including reading, is a fundamental American right, protected by the first Amendment! To stay up to date with Mass Freedom to Read, join their mailing list: eepurl.com/ji3oJw
- Awesome things will be happening at Calmer Con (@calmercon.bsky.social) on 9/6! Drawing sessions, comic workshops, games, and more! We hope we see you there! To see the full schedule, visit: www.calmercon.org/schedule-2025
- Some amazing illustrations from our artist in residence Emrys of July and August's Picture+Panel discussions! We're looking forward to the next session "Lies the Tv Told Me" on 9/8! www.bostoncomicarts.org/event-details/picture-panel-lies-the-tv-told-me-with-stepanka-jislova-and-sofia-szamosi
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- @calmercon.bsky.social is looking for volunteers! If you want to be part of a special event that makes an inclusive space for neurodiverse comic fans (and have fun doing it!), join the squad! Check out what volunteers say about their experience. Register to volunteer at www.calmercon.org/volunteer
- We're excited to host a workshop series exclusively for foster & adopted youth ages 10-18! In session 1 on 8/16, cartoonist & educator Cara Bean will lead participants through mindful drawing while making comics. Register: www.bostoncomicarts.org/event-details/cambridge-makes-comics-for-foster-youth
- Thank you to everyone at the inaugural Boston Reads Comics event last weekend! We had a great time listening to Svetlana Chmakova (with great questions from Elissa Gershowitz!) and we're already looking forward to next year!
- Picture + Panel is coming up Monday 8/4! @mattielubchansky.com and @denalisai.bsky.social gave @smashpages.bsky.social a sneak peek at their thoughts on resistance and resilience. Read at smashpages.net/2025/07/28/picture-panel-mattie-lubchansky-denali-sai-nalamalapu/
- Svetlana Chmakova gave us a peek at her desk ahead of her talk tomorrow for Boston Reads Comics! We're so excited! Hope we see you there! bpl.bibliocommons.com/events/6862a...
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- Svetlana Chmakova told us what she loves about comics and how excited she is about Awkward being chosen for Boston Reads Comics. Come meet Svetlana on Saturday, 7/26! Sign up at: bpl.bibliocommons.com/events/6862a...
- Picture + Panel is coming up on 8/4! Mattie Lubchansky @mattielubchansky.com and Denali Sai Nalamalapu @denalisai.bsky.social discuss resistance and resilience Sign up at www.bostoncomicarts.org/event-details/picture-panel-resistance-and-resilience-with-mattie-lubchansky-and-denali-sai-nalamalapu
- Here's a peek into Awkward, the book for Boston Reads Comics! If you like what you see, be sure to get your copy of Awkward and join us for activities and an author talk with Svetlana Chmakova on Sat. 7/26 from 1-4pm! Sign up at: bpl.bibliocommons.com/events/6862a...
- We'll be at Somerville Art Beat this Saturday 7/19! Come say hi! somervilleartscouncil.org/events/artbe...
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