Critic's Pick: Nashville Comic Arts Festival

Though continuously expanding, the Nashville Comic Arts Festival, now in its third year, retains its intimate and eclectic appeal to any and all self-determined identities, mine being weirdness. For example, last year I fixated on finding bizarre holiday cards. Think zombie Santas, flesh-eating Yule cats and winter solstice with sacrificial elements. When I suggested to one exhibitor that holiday cards might become a sweet new revenue source, their eyes glazed with $-shaped pupils and a thought balloon appeared above their head, swirling with freakish and disturbing holiday concepts. Nice. That enthusiasm makes this festival singular. Besides the inaugural gathering of the Black Comics Collective Youth Group, featured artists Hyena Hell, Chris Schweizer and Steenz will host workshops, and Jon Sewell of the local Salt Weekly will present an overview of Nashville’s independent press. Of course, anyone who goes to these festivals knows that comics are merely the foundation. Creators offer every possibility: one-shots, roughs, splash art, panel pages, patches, buttons, accordion-fold books, stickers, prints and any imaginable art with a paper-based delivery system. This year I’m excited to see if anyone followed my greeting card suggestion. The AI-free event will be following safer spaces policies. Admission is free.

11 a.m.-6 p.m. at Vanderbilt University Central Library

2201 West End Ave.