Comic conventions are opportunities for creatives and fans alike to come together and celebrate their passion. This past weekend, in St. Louis, MO, I had the opportunity to attend a convention. The event, titled SLICE (St. Louis Independent Comic Expo) was a vibrant, exciting, and lively event, filled with all of the sights and sounds of the comic strip world. Featuring multiple components including Guest Lectures, live poetry writing, and a classic exhibition hall, SLICE was brimming with people and joy.
A Welcoming Start at SLICE
Starting off in the lobby, I was immediately welcomed by a delightful worker in a mask, who offered me a pamphlet detailing the layout of the exposition and the timeline of events. Slowly, I wandered through the Sheldon, passing the bar and booths from WASHU’s Sam Fox School.
Insights and Laughter at the Guest Lecture with Mattie Lubchansky
Eventually, I stopped at a Guest Lecture by Mattie Lubchansky, a cartoonist from Queens, NY who shared multiple insights from their editorial experience with The Nib. The Nib is a political satire publication that deals only in comic strips.
Being a newbie, I was unable to understand all of the specific references that were being made, but the lecture was still rather informative and remarkable for its funny, human moments. During the Q&A, someone asked what Lubchansky’s favorite conspiracy theory was, to which Lubchansky answered, “Bigfoot.”
Another question was about the impact and purpose of art in Lubchansky’s life. Lubchansky’s answer, discussing their personal relationship with art and more specifically, why they believed art has the power to change the world. Wholeheartedly, Lubchansky said, “if you want to make the world better, then make art.” The final question was more comic-strip specific, during which Lubchansky discussed Gary Larson, the well-known American cartoonist.
A Bustling Exhibition Hall Packed with Creativity
After listening in on Lubchansky’s guest lecture, I began to explore the exhibition hall. The room was insanely busy. Hosting over 80 tables, the area was full of different designs, merchandise, and people. This was definitely the most lively part of the exposition, as the room was crowded with people engaged with vendors about their comics, merchandise and ideas. One of the more memorable tables was set up by Ink and Drink Comics, whose work titled Courage was hilarious.
A Personal Touch! Live Poetry with Bee
After circling the exhibition hall, I made sure to visit the live poetry writing artist, Bee. Organized by Ars Poetica and the St. Louis Poetry Center, the poetry was written exclusively on a typewriter. I submitted my topic, which was Cowboys, and Bee began writing after asking me a few more questions about Cowboys. I have attached the poem below:
Personally, I found the poem to be fun, dynamic, and idealistic, which is exactly what I wanted. It was a lovely way to end my time at SLICE, and I was wowed by how quickly the poet, Bee, was able to put together such a succinct and accurate poem. Shortly after picking up my live poem, I headed out.
Why SLICE Is a Must-Visit for Art Lovers
For anyone looking for a way to get more involved with the St. Louis arts scene, they should absolutely attend SLICE. It has been around for 10 years, and hopefully, it will be around for many more. I had a great experience, and I am sure that I am not alone in that regard. If you can, attend a comic convention or exposition in your own city, and hopefully you will have as good of an experience as I did.
