The Latino Comics Expo partners with Modesto Junior College this March 15 & 16, 2019
The Latino Comics Expo, the nation’s premier convention spotlighting the work of Latino comics creators, is making its first appearance at Modesto Junior College this March 15 & 16, 2019 in Modesto, CA.
Founded in 2011 by Ricardo Padilla and Javier Hernandez, the Expo appears at MJC courtesy of an invitation by Dr. Theresa Rojas, English Department, Literature and Language Arts Division. The event features an exhibitor hall and two days of programming featuring a variety of panels and workshops.
Artists appearing at this year’s Expo include the award-winning cartoonists Gilbert and Jaime Hernandez, creators of the legendary “Love and Rockets” comic book series, and David Gonzales, creator of the Homies toy figurine craze. Other comic book creators include Crystal Gonzalez (“In the Dark”), Breena Nuñez (“Half and Half”), Jaime Crespo (“Tortilla”), Rhode Montijo (“The Gumazing Gum Girl”) and many others from a cross-section of artistic disciplines. Political cartoonist Eric J. Garcia will be launching his Bay Area book tour at the Expo, and Emmy Award-winning artist Rafael Navarro will be returning to the MJC campus after a successful author visit last Fall.
Children’s and YA authors such as Isabel Quintero (“Photographic: The Life of Graciela Ituribe”, Getty Publications) , Cathy Camper (”Lowriders in Space”, Chronicle Books) and Alberto Ledesma (“Diary of a Reluctant Dreamer”, UC Berkeley Press) will also be appearing in the programming. The country’s leading scholar on Latinx comic and graphic novels, Prof. Frederick Luis Aldama (Eisner Award-winning author of “Latinx Superheroes in Mainstream Comics”) will also be attending.
The 11 panels and workshops feature such topics as “Latina Power”, “Lucha Libre comics”, “Children’s literature”, “Comics in the classroom”, individual artist spotlights and even a zine making workshop headed by Isabel Ann Castro (St. Sucia) and Cathy Camper.
On Friday during the Opening Ceremony scheduled for 11:30am, Modesto City Councilman Tony Madrigal will read an official city proclamation honoring the Latino Comics Expo Modesto.
The Expo is open to all, and admission and parking are free. The family friendly event takes place in the Mary Stuart Rogers, Student Learning Center at the Modesto Junior College West Campus at 2201 Blue Gum Ave, Modesto, CA 95358. Hours are 11am-7pm, Friday, March 15 and 11am- 6pm, Saturday, March 16.
Visit us online for artist information and programming details:
latinocomicsexpo.com
Twitter: @latinocomixexpo
Facebook: @latinocomicsexpo
Instagram: @latinocomicsexpo
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Ricardo Padilla, Executive Director
rcardopadilla070@comcast.net
(209) 298-7495
Dr. Theresa Rojas, Co-Director LCX Modesto
rojast@yosemite.edu
