‘The Kids’ Comic Con’ & ‘The Color of Comics’ Art Exhibit in Harlem & The Bronx

Comic Book Characters Invade Harlem and the Bronx:

‘The Kids’ Comic Con’ and ‘The Color of Comics’ Art Exhibit

This year’s ‘4^th Annual Free Kids’ Comic Con’ (KCC) at Bronx Community College will be accompanied by the opening of ‘The Color of Comics’ visually dynamic exhibit of comic book artwork focused on African American, Latino, and other people of color as represented in the genre.

On Saturday April 10, 2010 from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Bronx Community College will host the 4^th Annual ‘Kids’ Comic Con’ a family centered art and literacy comic book convention. The Kids’ Comic Con provides a free colorful and art filled day for children and their parents to engage writers and illustrators from the exciting comic book and graphic novel industry. Last year’s convention was attended by almost 800 participants. All the children and teenagers attending the free KCC event receive books, participate in art and writing workshops, and meet top volunteer professionals from the world of comics. Created by writer and educator Alex Simmons and Gene Adams the director of Collaborative Education at BCC the KCC is the first comic book convention themed literacy project in the Bronx. “Since 2006 BCC and KCC have provided workshops throughout New York and New Jersey for children and educators on the use of comic books and graphic novels in literacy improvement”, said Adams.

Professional artist volunteering at KCC have worked with the biggest and most successful industry giants such as Marvel Comics, Archie Comics, Random House Books, and D.C. Comics. Among this year’s list of industry volunteers will be Jamal Igle. Ray Felix, Rich Terdoslavich, and James Sherman. The free workshops featured at KCC include subjects such as how to drawing scenery, how to develop storylines, science and superheroes, careers in comics, and more.

As part of the KCC art and literacy program Countee Cullen Branch of the New York Public Library will house the ‘The Color of Comic’s exhibit. Curated by Simmons and Adams, ‘The Color of Comics’ is a traveling show featuring the works comic book artist of color from around the globe. Artist and works presented reflect images of African Americans, Asians, Latinos, Africans, and Middle Easterners as shown in comic books and graphic novels. ”Simply put this exhibition exist as an effort to illuminate the diversity of characters of color in comic art” commented Alex Simmons. Some of the well known artist featured in the show include Kyle Baker, Eric Battle, Gene Yang , Fernando Ruiz, and Ann Sibley-O’Brien. “The exhibit recently returned form the International Book Fair in Miami where it was a key feature of the event. In December the exhibit will be held in Dakar Senegal”, said Adams. The opening for the exhibition will take place on Thursday April 8, 2010 at the Countee Cullen Library from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. The exhibit will be on display at the Countee Cullen Library located at 104 West 136^th Street in Manhattan until April 28^th.

For more information contact Gene Adams at (718) 289-5952.