The National Cartoonists Society (or NCS) is coming to Mohawk College, and for the first time is opening it’s doors to the public. If you have ever thought to yourself, “How do I become a cartoonist? What steps do I take to get there? How did they do it?” Well, now is your chance to meet cartoonists and hear how they did it. The following five cartoonists will be coming to Hamilton’s Mohawk College Fennel Campus on Sunday, September 26, from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm:

Sandra Bell-Lundy: Is the creator of the cartoon strip, “Between Friends”. Sandra’s comic celebrates the essence and angst of three forty-something women friends and is distributed by King Features Syndicate to over 150 newspapers in 13 countries.

Mike Cope: Draws gag cartoons published by Reader’s Digest. Mike specializes in cartoon illustrations for educational publications, and is a member of the Ontario College of Teachers.

Paul Gilligan: Began in advertising and freelanced for many years as an illustrator for editorial, children’s books, comics, storyboarding, character design, etc. In 2000 he began his syndicated comic strip “Pooch Café”, which is in production for a feature at Sony Animation.

John Martz: Is an illustrator and cartoonist living in Ottawa, Ontario. His work can be seen regularly in chickaDEE Magazine. He is currently finishing his first illustrated picture book for Kids Can Press. John began his career as a member of the print and broadcast design department of all of CHUM’s stations, including MuchMusic and Space, then developed “Drawn!” a major internationally renowned illustration and cartooning portal visited daily by thousands of graphic arts professionals and students from
around the world.

Leif Peng: Has been drawing cartoon mascots for major international corporate clients for more than twenty years including the Nestlés Turtle (chocolates), the Quik Bunny and “Pud”, star of the tiny comic strips wrapped around those little pink bricks of DubbleBubble bubblegum. Other clients include MacLean’s magazine, Nintendo (SuperMario, Pokémon, DonkeyKong), and Oxford University Press. He is an instructor and coordinator in Mohawk’s Graphic Design program.

For more information, check out the blog: http://ncscanada.blogspot.com/