JEFF SMITH, LUCY CASWELL, VIJAYA IYER AND TOM SPURGEON ANNOUNCE NEW COMICS FESTIVAL: CARTOON CROSSROADS COLUMBUS (CXC)



Columbus, Ohio — NOVEMBER 24, 2014 — The Columbus, Ohio based Cartoon Crossroads Columbus (CXC) has announced its formation and intention to stage a four-day, yearly comics festival beginning in Fall 2016.



The group also announced the CXC Launch Event for October 2-3, 2015. The CXC Launch Event will be a two-day show split between the Billy Ireland Cartoon Library & Museum (October 2) and the Columbus Cultural Arts Center (October 3).



The October 3 portion of the event will be a one-day comics expo featuring up to 35 exhibitors.



The four-person Executive Committee for Cartoon Crossroads Columbus is:



* Lucy Caswell, Founding Curator, Billy Ireland Cartoon Library & Museum

* Vijaya Iyer, President and Co-Publisher, Cartoon Books

* Jeff Smith, Award-Winning Cartoonist and Co-Publisher, Cartoon Books

* Tom Spurgeon, Editor and Co-Publisher, The Comics Reporter



Smith will further assume the title of President and Artistic Director. Spurgeon will serve as Festival Director, and will relocate to Columbus in early 2015.



“We’re extremely excited to try and bring a first-class comics festival to Columbus, Ohio,” said Jeff Smith. “I’ve attended and enjoyed so many great shows over the years, and hope that CXC can take its place alongside them.”



“I share with the council members a belief in the comics art form and a love for the American Midwest as a great place for comics,” said Tom Spurgeon. “We also share a passion for the professional development and infrastructure issues facing so many cartoonists. We hope that CXC can become a positive force for a better community and more effective industry.”



The group’s organizational status, its advisory council members, its initial sponsorships, details on the 2015 Launch Event including exhibitor application information and initial plans for the 2016 Festival and beyond will be announced in early 2015.



A placeholder site can be found at cxcfestival.tumblr.com



A twitter account can be followed @cxcfestival.



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For more information or to set up an interview with a CXC executive committee member please contact Tom Spurgeon at 575-654-4391 or tom@comicsreporter.com.



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