Recap: National Cartoonists Society Reuben Awards Weekend 2015

This past weekend (May 22-24, 2015) was the National Cartoonists Society Reuben Awards weekend. This year I was lucky that NCS came to Washington, DC -- as I did not have to travel far. I had been to my first Reubens two years ago in Pittsburgh (2013 recap here) and it really is such a blast -- it's also known as "the Oscars of Cartooning" to many.

I helped to provide copies of Magic Bullet for the attendee goody bags. Most people received issue #9, which is the western themed issue I edited with a cover by Nick Galifianakis. I saved a few extra copies in my garage for about 8 months since I knew Nick was going to be a speaker. Magic Bullet is Washington, DC's comics anthology in a large publication newspaper format.

Friday kicked off with buses taking us from the host hotel to the Library of Congress for The King Features Syndicates 100th Anniversary Panel moderated by Brendan Burford. The event was free and open to the general public. Panelists included Patrick McDonnell (Mutts), Brian Walker (Hi and Lois), Jeff Keane (The Family Circus), Hilary Price (Rhymes with Orange), Ray Billingsley (Curtis), and editorial cartoonist and Mother Goose and Grimm creator Mike Peters.

Mother Goose and Grimm was an influence to me growing up and I remember watching the animated TV show, Grimmy. Mike Peters was very magnifying and I can't believe he is 71 years old. Seriously. He has more energy and youth than most people my age.

Throughout the weekend there were presentations by Mark Anderson, Juana Medina, Doug Mahnke, Nick Galifianakis, Brian Crane, Mort Drucker, Ann Telnaes, a "History of the NCS" panel and film, and more.

Jason Chatfield and Tom Gammill created a great film that introduced The Reuben Awards -- a spoof called "Alpha House of Cartoons" (references Alpha House and House of Cards -- both DC infused TV shows).

This year, since I did not have to travel far or pay for a hotel, I decided to design a dress and create custom fabric featuring characters from my comic strip, Curls. There is a seamstress I've met thru exhibiting at several comic conventions and I inquired with her about making the dress for me. Above you will see my original sketch for the dress and fabric pattern I designed. Gina from Super Sox Shop brought it to life. I'm really glad to have produced a fun dress like this and thankful for Gina's talents. I'd like to wear it to a few more events -- maybe NYCC this year, but we'll see!

Roz Chast won the Cartoonist of the Year Award. Unfortunately, she had other obligations already booked for the night and could not appear, but we did watch a per-recorded video of her acceptance speech. She is the third woman to win the award since 1946 (Cathy Guisewite won in 1992 and Lynn Johnston won in 1985). Congratulations to all the winners and nominees!

The weekend ended with a "Haunted Farewell Party" as the Omni Shoreham Hotel is rumored to be haunted with spooks. I dressed as Morticia Addams -- Teresa Roberts Logan (dressed as Grandmama Addams) helped to make black shreds on my dress. Originally we tried to get a gang together to do "The John Quincy Addams Family" and ended up with a complete group of misfits -- and that's the way we like it too.

Thanks to Tom Richmond, who has been president for the past four years. He and his wife Anna have strengthened NCS and I really appreciate what they have contributed to the organization.

Jean Schulz, Michelle Mahnke & @CarolynBelefski meet @ DC #Reubens. @Snoopy @PeanutsMovie #ReubensWeekend pic.twitter.com/1p1zJSGZbY

— Michael Cavna (@comicriffs) May 23, 2015

Also thank you to Michael Cavna for writing this excellent piece about this year's Reuben Awards as well has taking the photo above to capture the moment of Michelle Mahnke, Jean Schulz, and I.

And thank you to Martha and Sara from the Library of Congress for hosting the Friday morning event.

Hanging out with cartoonists for a weekend is always a great time and I was glad to see increased participation from DC area cartoonists. I hope to attend the Reubens in the future again.

Many more photos are up on the Curls Studio Facebook page. Check them out here and give us a "Like."

Herblock Prize 2015

Last Thursday, May 7, 2015 we gathered to celebrate Kevin "KAL" Kallaugher for the Herblock Prize presentation and ceremony to recognize excellence in editorial cartooning. I've ran into KAL through mutual cartoonists briefly a few times and Barbara Dale introduced me to him a couple years ago at Baltimore Comic-Con. He has drawn thousands of cartoons for The Baltimore Sun and The Economist -- and even more cartoons for many publications globally. 

Kal's speech was inspiring and proves that editorial cartooning and freedom of speech is something we should not toss aside. It's no wonder why he can make us laugh, as it's only a part of his last name. 

"Don't draw a blank. Hire a cartoonist." - KAL

Thanks to the US Library of Congress for putting on a great show. You can see more photos for the 2015 Herblock Prize on the Curls Studio Facebook page and give us a "Like" while you're at it: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10153241780877381.1073741856.50763422380&type=3

For more insight on the Herblock, read Michael Cavna's column about the evening here.

Comics for The White House Media Coverage

Thanks to The Washington Post Comic Riffs for reporting about the comics I created with The White House for HealthCare.gov. I'm receiving notes from many people telling me how wonderfully written the article is and I've passed the info on to Michael Cavna.

Thank you so much to The White House again for this opportunity and The Washington Post, as well as other media outlets who have posted about the comics. Below is a listing of all the articles I aware of. I've also been getting a ton of support on my Facebook page. Many people are excited and happy about these comics.

You can read the stories here:

The Washington Post | White House comics? How cartoonist Carolyn Belefski got an unexpected booster shot-in-the-arm from HealthCare.gov

by Michael Cavna

Fusion | Cartooning for the White House: A chat with the artist behind the #GetCovered comics

by Jen Sorensen

CBR | White House uses comic reminders about Obamacare deadline

by Kevin Melrose

The Blaze | These Cartoons are the White House’s Latest Effort to Make Obamacare Seem Cool

by Fred Lucas

The Patriot Post | White House Resorts to Childish Cartoons to Promote O'Care

CBR | Comics A.M. | Creators

by Brigid Alverson

Fusion | Going Viral | Obama hopes a selfie stick will get more young people signed up for healthcare
by Abby Rogers