Second annual comics expo draws local talent

Andrew Crider, Contributing Writer

Sink/Swim Press, a local comic publisher and community of artists, hosted the second annual indie comic expo at Gallery 5 on Oct. 17.

The free event allowed more than two dozen local independent artists to publicly display their work without high costs associated with larger comic cons or exhibition events.

“Its also cool to gather this community of creators and see what everyone in Richmond is up to,” said James Moffitt, a VCU alumni who founded Sink/Swim five years ago.

VCU student artists, staff members and alumni attended the event. For Sink/Swim, it was important that the event be low cost, so more people could participate in the expo.

“We keep the expo free for the creators, they don’t have to pay the table or participate, and free for people to come,” Moffitt said. “We want to bring people to the art, bring people to this work and show off what Richmond has to offer as far as comic creators.”

According to Moffitt, Richmond is a good environment for comic artists to get started.

“Richmond fosters that growth and fosters that sharp upward trajectory for people who are serious about their work,” Moffitt said.

On display at the expo was the latest VCU Comics Anthology, a group that publishes a collection of comics by various artists and writers on an annual basis. The anthology debuted two years ago with “Weird,” and published “Rebels” last year. The 2016 theme is “Kin.”

Managing editor of the VCU Comic Anthology, Ameorry Luo, said that the expo was a way for artists to get their work out into the community.

“I think sink/swim is a really nice thing for local artists — everybody who’s creating here, because it’s often hard to get a place where you can show that and gather all together.”

According to Luo, it is important for VCU artists to find a new audience for their work.

“When you are in school it can feel a little like a bubble, you only see the people that you see at school and it be really great for events like these to give more exposure,” Luo said.

Director of Gallery 5, co-organizer of the expo and VCUarts professor Bizhan Khodabandeh displayed work at the event as well.

“For me it’s an opportunity to bring in a lot of the talent that people don’t know of as far as comic artist that are residing in richmond,” Khodabandeh said.

According to Khodabandeh, the artists’ needs were a primary concern when planning for the expo began back in July.

For both Khodabandeh and Moffitt, VCU is an increasing part of the comic scene in Richmond.

“A lot of students from the university are starting to stay rather than leave town and that’s helping the community,” Khodabandeh said.