Comic artists, writers and creators from over 25 countries are heading to the Lake District next month for a major festival.
Now in its 10th year, the Lakes International Comic Art Festival will be held in Bowness-on-Windermere from October 14 to October 16.
Organisers say the anniversary year will see a re-energised format, new location and new mission of using comic art to change the world.
The family-friendly festival will take place across venues in Bowness-on-Windermere, including The Old Laundry Theatre, Windermere Jetty Museum and The Lakesview Comic Marketplace at Lakes View – a lakeside bar and restaurant with spectacular views.
Guests at the festival include Guardian cartoonists Martin Rowson and Posy Simmonds; The Simpsons artist Bill Morrison; Steve McGarry, one of the film artists from the Minions movie; Eisner Award–winning Alison Bechdel, author of The Secret to Superhuman Strength; Charlie Adlard, artist on The Walking Dead comics; and superhero comic artists who certainly know their Spider-Man from their Catwoman!
Julie Tait, festival director, said: “We are delighted that over 100 guests and exhibitors will be with us to celebrate the amazing world of comics and comic art. Comics play a vital role in boosting literacy, telling new stories and tackling the biggest issues of our time. I’d urge all lovers of art, literature and culture to come down and find out how comics really can change the world.”
The programme includes live drawing, creative workshops, talks, presentations, a comics market place, debates, cartoonists, satire, exhibitions and some of the most amazing comic artists from across the globe.
The festival also brings a comic art trail around Bowness and a reinvigorated crazy golf course full of cartoon characters.
The festival will open with a very special Comics on Comics event, combining comedians with comic artists, with special guests Charlie Higson, who writes comics as well as TV shows, books and more, Adele Cliff, a panellist of Battle of the Superheroes at the Edinburgh Fringe, and Lucy Porter, a comedian who, apparently, needs convincing comics are really good!
The Lakeview Comics Marketplace is a free to enter comic art hub; Windermere Jetty Museum is the place to go for free family events for children brought to you by Little LICAF. There is a boat trip event on Windermere with comics legend Guardian cartoonist Posy Simmonds and Yellow Submarine – Bill Morrison’s Odyssey Through Pepperland exhibition at Windermere Jetty Museum.
A festival shuttlebus will be provided between venues.
Festival partners and supporters include Arts Council England, the Lake District National Park Authority, South Lakeland District Council and Cumbria County Council.
