Past Events
- Depicting Mexico and Modernism: Gordo by Gus Arriola – Exhibition Opening Reception & Program January 20, 2024
Join us for a reception and program* to celebrate the exhibition Depicting Mexico and Modernism: Gordo by Gus Arriola, on display now in the Billy Ireland Cartoon Library & Museum Galleries!
Depicting Mexico and Modernism offers the opportunity to look at the visually stunning art of the comic strip Gordo (1941-1985) and see firsthand Gus Arriola’s development as a modernist Mexican-American artist who used the comics page to celebrate and share his Mexican heritage with American readers.
Arriola’s dazzling artistry had an influence not only on his contemporaries, but on many creators who have followed in his footsteps. Joining us for this public program is Hector D. Cantú, writer of the nationally-syndicated comic strip Baldo, which traces the life of a Latino-American teenager.
FREE and open to the public
3:00-3:30pm: Tour with exhibit curator Nhora Lucía Serrano in the BICLM galleries
4:00-5:00pm: Gus Arriola and His Legacy – Comics scholars Nhora Lucía Serrano, Frederick Luis Aldama, and Baldo co-creator Hector D. Cantú will discuss the legacy of Gus Arriola, his comic strip Gordo, and its influence on their work. This program will be held in the Jean and Charles Schulz Lecture Hall.
5:00-6:00pm: Exhibit Reception in Will Eisner Seminar Room and galleries. Light snacks and refreshments will be provided.
Cosponsored by The Ohio State University Center for Latin American Studies
Baldo created by Hector Cantú & Carlos Castellanos*Note: Lalo Alcaraz and Carlos Castellanos are no longer able to attend.
Superman's 'Jewish Origins' and Other Thoughts on Jews and Comics October 25, 2023 Thomas and Diann Mann Symposium Series
Professor Samantha Baskind, Distinguished Professor of Art History Cleveland State University
The Melton Center is pleased to present Professor Baskind’s lecture “Superman’s ‘Jewish Origins’ and Other Thoughts on Jews and Comics.” Professor Baskind will discuss the enormous Jewish contributions to comics and the graphic novel. Beginning in the 1930s, Jews built the comic book industry from the ground up.
Feeling Heard - Symphonic Band Concert October 9, 2023 This performance by the Ohio State Symphonic Band is a partnership with the exhibition “Facing Feelings: The Art of Raina Telgemeier” currently on display at the Billy Ireland Cartoon Library & Museum. This concert explores the strong connection between listening and feeling as well as the influence of visual elements on emotional engagement. The performance will feature an “improvisational duet” between artwork by Raina Telgemeier and individual musicians from the Symphonic Band. A reception follows the performance at the Billy Ireland Cartoon Library & Museum.
CXC 2023 Opening Reception September 29, 2023 CXC attendees and guests are invited to kick off the weekend with our annual Friday party at the Billy Ireland Cartoon Library & Museum, the mecca for cartoons and comic art! Explore our current exhibits, enjoy refreshments, and cheer on your cartoonist colleagues as we give out our annual Master Cartoonist, Transformative Work and Tom Spurgeon awards.
Let’s Talk about Our Feelings: Communicating Emotion in both Cartoons and Music September 29, 2023 Join 2023 CXC Special Guest Raina Telgemeier and musicians from the Ohio State School of Music as they dialogue about their shared responsibility to communicate feelings to audiences. Exploration of tone, rhythm, line, color, and intensity will serve as points of departure for the discussion that will also include details of the upcoming concert on October 9 by the Ohio State Symphonic Band “Feeling Heard.”
FREE to attend. Open to the public.
This is intended for a college-level audience. Music and art concepts will be discussed.