Drawing from History
Join award-winning cartoonist Marek Bennett for a behind-the-scenes look at comics & graphic novels drawn from historical primary sources.
Picturing Language: An Introduction to the Magic of Comics
In this lively, hands-on presentation, participants will be introduced to the fundamentals of cartooning as both an art form and a communication tool. Drawing on the past, present, and future of the medium, the session expands how we think about comics—not just as entertainment, but as a flexible language capable of conveying complex ideas with clarity and emotional impact. No prior drawing experience required!
Growing Your Creative Side Hustle
What does it take to turn a creative spark into something sustainable—and maybe even life-changing? In this engaging and practical talk, collage artist and creative entrepreneur Michael Sjostedt shares how his creative side hustles evolved over the years, helping him navigate economic downturns and career transitions while building community through art.
A Revolution Will Not Be Tweeted
“We The People” are invited to learn the history of printing the American Revolution! Join letterpress printer John Vincent in conversation around an old printing press, pull a broadside, and imagine what the Next Revolution could be.
The Other Side of Hope: Films About Immigration
Filmmakers have tackled issues of displacement, discrimination, exploitation, and assimilation in movies like Mississippi Masala (about Indians in the Deep South), The Other Side of Hope (Syrians in Finland) and Dirty Pretty Things (West Africans in London.) Film history expert Rick Winston shares clips from fifteen works that address one of the most pressing issues of our times.
Canto Cutie, Zines, and Independent Publishing
Zines (pronounced “zeen” and short for “fan magazine”) offer an accessible way to share information and perspectives often overlooked by mainstream publishing channels. The self-publishing nature of zines empowers anyone to create and distribute their own content. Katherine Leung speaks about her zine, Canto Cutie, and how it has become a platform for Cantonese artists and writers around the world to publish their work.
“The Most Costly Journey” Comics Workshop with Marek Bennett
Join award-winning cartoonist and educator Marek Bennett for a closer look at the Vermont Reads 2022 book “The Most Costly Journey.” He leads a hands-on demo to show how YOU can cartoon the stories of your own family, neighborhood, and wider world.
Adventures in Mime & Space: The Legacy of Marcel Marceau
Rob Mermin explores the metaphors of mime technique—what mime master Marcel Marceau called “the silent language of the soul.”
