“Creative Economy exemplified” – The Rutland Herald
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Celebrating CCS’s 20th Anniversary, two of Vermont’s most acclaimed cartoonists, Alison Bechdel and Tillie Walden ‘16, will share the stage for a rare public conversation about art, place, and the ways Vermont has shaped their work. Both artists have served as Vermont Cartoonist Laureate, and both have made international contributions to the art of comics—Bechdel through her groundbreaking memoirs Fun Home and Are You My Mother?, and Walden through her Eisner Award–winning memoir, Spinning, and space romance, On a Sunbeam.
Taught by Eisner-award winning cartoonist and renowned comics instructor Ivan Brunetti, COMICS 101 will cover the basics of cartooning using exercises and assignments from Brunetti’s groundbreaking workbook Cartooning: Philosophy and Practice.
Are you considering applying to The Center for Cartoon Studies MFA or Certificate program?Join us for our virtual campus open house and portfolio day. Learn about the campus and the renowned collection of the Schulz Library, hear from current students and graduates, and meet faculty and staff for a portfolio review*!
Saturday, December 6th, 2025 1-4pm EST
R.S.V.P. SPACE IS LIMITED!
White River Junction, VT. September 23, 2025 – No joke! This year marks the 20th anniversary of The Center for Cartoon Studies (CCS), a nationally recognized institution dedicated to the education and advancement of cartooning and graphic storytelling located in White River Junction, Vermont.
Founded in 2005 by Michelle Ollie and James Sturm, CCS has built an international reputation for training some of the most original and influential voices in comics today. Its alumni have gone on to publish award-winning work, teach, and lead in creative fields across the globe.
The much-anticipated graphic novel THE WEIGHT by Melissa Mendes ‘10 releases in September by Drawn & Quarterly. Inspired by her late grandfather’s life, Melissa began creating and self-publishing the Ignatz-nominated comic installments in 2014.
“THE WEIGHT is a gut-wrenching graphic novel with the power of a timeless ballad—plaintive and beautiful, shimmering with tenderness and humor.”—James Sturm, award-winning cartoonist and co-founder of The Center for Cartoon Studies.
This fall, The Center for Cartoon Studies (CCS) will host a series of low-cost ($5), 90-minute webinars that will be open to the public. All proceeds will go to sponsor zine fests around the USA that CCS supports. This fall webinars will feature CCS alums. Here is the lineup for fall 2025:
High Contrast Comics with Andy Warner ’12 – 10/15/25 at 6:30 pm ET
Autobio Comics with Betsey Swardlick ’11 – 10/29/25 at 6:30 pm ET
The nominees are in for the esteemed Ignatz Awards presented at the annual Small Press Expo, and The Center for Cartoon Studies is happy to announce that several members of our community have been nominated.
The nominees are….
Self-published RUST BELT REVIEW, VOL. 6, by Sean Knickerbocker ‘12 is nominated for Outstanding Anthology. A serialized literary comics anthology, this volume of RUST BELT REVIEW includes works by independent comic and zine artists Andrew Greenstone, Alex Nall, Ana Pando, Ivy Lynn Allie ‘21, and Knickerbocker.
“Sincere emotions punctuated with funny and magical moments elevate this charming work. Engagingly original, featuring a likable protagonist and plenty of humor and tenderness.” –Kirkus Review
“Terry takes a sensitive look at divorce and navigating parental relationships, the evolving nature of friendships, and gender identity, with characters that have relatable appeal for middle graders. Illustrations have a manga influence, with equal parts bright and fluffy and tween goth…”
Join us this Summer to brush up on your cartooning skills or learn new ones! Click here to check out the complete line-up and to register and learn about scholarship information! In-person and online workshops, from beginner to advanced.
Congratulations to CCS alumni who made the American Library Association ALA’s Graphic Novels & Comics Round Table 2024 Best Graphic Novels for Children Reading list!
A print copy of our new graphic guide, Art & Courage: A Guide to Sustaining a Creative Path, has been sent to all those on our mailing list as a part of this year’s annual appeal! Look for it arriving at your doorstep very soon!
Please consider donating to CCS today as we embark on celebrating 20 years of educating the world’s best and brightest comics talent.
The Center for Cartoon Studies (CCS) has once again donated a full scholarship to the Vermont Department of Libraries so a Vermont teen can attend the Create Comics Summer Workshop. An exciting opportunity for a teen from Vermont by the Vermont Department of Libraries and The Center for Cartoon Studies!!
Create Comics is for both beginner and intermediate students age 16 and over!
“Self-Esteem and the End of the World (such an excellent title) may be described as autofiction. But the word “cartoon” is key here, because while regular autofiction is rarely funny – more often, it’s the polar opposite – Healy’s book is hilarious.” –The Guardian
WHITE RIVER JUNCTION, VERMONT – Each year, The Cartoonist Studio Prize will be awarded to work that exemplifies excellence in cartooning. The creators of two exceptional comics will be awarded $1,000 each. This year, there are twelve nominees in each the “long-form” category and the “short-form” category. The winners for each category will be announced in April 2025.
