Con News: Small Press Expo shutters this year, will hold virtual Ignatz Awards
With so much to learn about COVID-19, I can’t say that I’m truly shocked that SPX has decided to cancel this year’s Expo…but I am sad. It’s such an incredible weekend filled with all sorts of indie, underground, and other forms of independent comic books, so losing the chance to connect with so many incredibly talented creators (and throw my money around like glitter) is definitely a bummer.
But wait – they’re going forward with their yearly Ignatz Awards! Yep, they’re gonna hold ’em virtually, and I can’t wait for more information on how to watch the ceremony. These awards shine a light on comics and creators that many otherwise wouldn’t hear about, so I’m so happy they’ll be sharing the ceremony with everyone.
Read on for the entire message – including resources for creators during this trying time – after the jump. And see y’all next year at SPX!!!
Small Press Expo Announces Virtual Ignatz Awards and Cancellation of SPX 2020
SPX 2020, originally scheduled for September 12 – 13 at the Bethesda North Marriott Hotel & Conference Center, will be cancelled due to the effects of the COVID-19 outbreak. SPX will not have any in-person exhibitors room, programming or Ignatz Awards ceremony.
The 2020 Ignatz Awards ceremony will be live-streamed on Saturday night, September 12, exact time TBD. The late-August timeframe will be the target date for the announcement of the details for the virtual awards ceremony.
Over the next few weeks, Small Press Expo will be developing both the process and platform as to how Ignatz voting will be held, with a target of mid-late July to announce the details to the SPX community on voting for this years nominees.
Due to the disruptions of the pandemic, the Ignatz submission timeframe has been extended to June 19
Here is the information to submit works for the Ignatz 2020 Awards.
Small Press Expo is looking into holding some programming over the weekend of September 12, with a decision on this aspect of the show to come sometime this Summer.
Online Resources for the SPX Community
Part of the Small Press Expo’s mission is to help, as best we can, the SPX Community in uncertain times such as these. To that end, SPX has identified some online resources that contain information about various grants, relief funds and other mechanisms to hopefully aid the SPX Community in weathering the current circumstances:
- Creative Capital Resources
- COVID19 Freelance Artist Resources
- Artist Trust COVID Resources
- I Care If You Listen Financial and Other Resources
- The Social Distancing Festival
Small Press Expo (SPX) is the preeminent showcase for the exhibition of independent comics, graphic novels, and alternative political cartoons. SPX is a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit that brings together more than 650 artists and publishers to meet their readers, booksellers, and distributors each year. Graphic novels, mini comics, and alternative comics will all be on display and for sale by their authors and illustrators. The expo includes a series of panel discussions and interviews with this year’s guests.
The Ignatz Award is a festival prize held every year at SPX recognizing outstanding achievement in comics and cartooning, with the winners chosen by attendees at the show.
