No PIX 2018... Yes, PIX 2019

Dear Friends of PIX  —

We know some of you have been wondering about the status of PIX 2018.  

To make a long story short:  there will NOT be a PIX 2018.

We apologize for the late announcement of this fact.

We are, however, already working on PIX 2019 and plan to return to the August Wilson Center in April 2019.   

We will make a formal announcement in the summer of this year.  

Thank you for your past support.

Stay tuned...

—Team PIX

PIX Is a FREE Event – Open to ALL

Announcement: Comics Workbook PIX Workshop Schedule

COMICS WORKBOOK WORKSHOPS

Join educator Frank Santoro and his Comics Workbook school for a series of workshops featuring hands-on instruction from some of the most talented makers of independent comics. All workshops will be held in the Big Room (7th Floor) at the Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council, located at 810 Penn Ave (see map below). All workshops are FREE. Walk-ins are welcome for the first ten minutes of each workshop ONLY. 

Noon - 1:00 pm: DO BE DO: A One-Hour Comics Publication Project!
A comic book will be drawn, scanned, printed and bound. A WHIRLWIND OF ACTION. Instructor: Juan Fernandez FOR KIDS!

1:00 - 2.00 pm: Comics with Carol Tyler
Learn the ins and outs of autobiographical comics from a maker who has been defining the form since the 1970’s. Carol Tyler will discuss her adventures in comics and share drawing tips and storytelling advice.  Moderated by Sally Ingraham ALL AGES

2:00 - 3:00 pm: Free Swim
Take a break from the buzzing action on Liberty Ave.and channel some of that energy and those new ideas into your own comics. Instructors and materials will be on hand for those who need additional inspiration.  Instructor: Caleb Orecchio

3:00 - 4:00 pm: Comics Calisthenics with the Pittsburgh Comics Salon
Is your comics practice stiff? Want to stretch those muscles and keep them limber? Join the Pittsburgh Comics Salon to learn some great warm ups and practices to stay nimble. We will work directly in ink and modularity to achieve a spirited space for drawing comics. Instructor: Juan Fernandez

4:00 -5:00 pm: Chromazoid Sunset
Lale Westvind and Connor Willumsen in conversation. Moderated by Frank Santoro. 

PIX 2017 Programs Announced

PIX 2017 PROGRAMS

This year, all PIX programs will be held at The ToonSeum, located across the street from the August Wilson Center, at 945 Liberty Avenue. All programs are FREE and open to the public (seating is limited, however).

Noon - 1:00 pm: Guided Tours of the Toonseum
Take advantage of this rare opportunity to learn about the history and mission of The Toonseum – one of only three museums dedicated to comics and cartooning in the United States – while receiving a guided tour. There will be two tours, one beginning at noon, the other at 12:30.

1:00 - 2.00 pm: Handmade Comics
Participants include Lale Westvind, Dan Zettwoch, Lane Milburn & Anya Davidson • moderated by Bill Boichel – We will discuss the evolution of individual comics practices; the pros and cons of small batch handmade comics in particular; the creation of specific works; the various processes employed – and more! Includes 10 minutes of audience Q&A.

2:00 - 3:00 pm: Parallel Mutation - Shop Talk with the Pittsburgh Comics Salon
Discussion on local, independent comics making moderated by Juan Fernandez, featuring participants of the Pittsburgh Comics Salon (TBA). Learn about the thriving Pittsburgh comics scene and how easy it is to become involved.

3:00 - 4:00 pm: Jim Rugg & Connor Willumsen – Dual Careers: Illustration & Comics
• moderated by Bill Boichel • This talk will discuss the challenges and rewards of simultaneously managing/juggling the respective careers of comics and illustration. Discussion topics may include: respective career arcs; educational experiences; the realities  of earning a living / career path choices; varieties of work available to illustrators vs drawing comics; work-for-hire vs. creator owned and/or self-publishing; pure drawing, works for exhibition and sale. Includes 10 minutes of audience Q & A.

4:00 -5:00 pm: Carol Tyler & Ed Piskor in Conversation • moderated by John Kelly
Two creative titans discuss their work, influences, career paths and more, as well as survey the comics landscape from their respective heights and exchange views. Includes 10 minutes of audience Q & A.

Caitlin Rose Boyle to Exhibit at PIX 2017

Caitlin Rose Boyle (JONESY) - Caitlin Rose Boyle is the artist on Boom! Box's JONESY! She co-created the 2014 Nickelodeon Short Toon Buck n' Lou & the Night Crew. These days you can find her glued to her drawing desk, surrounded by houseplants and empty coffee cups. She currently lives in Pittsburgh.  
www.caitlinroseboyle.com

PIX 2017 Official Sponsor: ColorPerfect Printing

ColorPerfect Printing, located at 804 Penn Avenue in downtown Pittsburgh is the official printer of PIX Poster and Postcard Propaganda – and an official sponsor of PIX 2017!

PIX 2017 Special Guest Announcement: Ed Piskor

Ed Piskor is a Made-in-Pittsburgh comics success story.  Knowing from an early age that a career making comics was what he wanted, Piskor set about reaching that goal with a single minded determination.  First by endlessly honing his comics chops, then by digging up whatever work he could, eventually gaining the attention of Harvey Pekar, who gave Piskor his first big break, offering him a shot at illustrating one his short pieces for an upcoming American Splendor anthology.  Pekar was duly impressed when he received the finished a professionally polished piece of work ahead of schedule and offered Piskor further assignments, culminating in two book-length collaborations, Macedonia and The Beats.  Piskor then dove head first into the world of self-publishing, with Wizzywig, his tale of phone-phreakers and proto-hackers that he self-published in four softcover volumes, which were subsequently collected in a single volume hardcover published by Top Shelf.  This project led to an “in” with the publishers of BoingBoing, who offered him an online  platform for his next project, Hip Hop Family Tree, which has since grown to be a global sensation, published in four volumes, two box sets and twelve standard comic books, all from Fantagraphics, as well as involving Piskor in the production of a host of ancillary projects connecting the worlds of hip hop and comics

Check in with Mr. Piskor at edpiskor.com which while likely not up to the minute is nevertheless filled with links galore to the Piskorverse™.  Be sure to read his TCJ interview with Marc Sobel.  And then spend some quality time with the man himself by watching this 40-minute video BoingBoing interview.

PLEASE NOTE:  Ed Piskor’s primary appearance at PIX 2017 will take place from 7pm to 10pm on the evening of Saturday, April 8 at the opening of his exhibition at The ToonSeum that will double as the Pre-PIX Party (more about which later...)