Events at SPX to benefit Comic Book Legal Defense Fund and the SPX Graphic Novel Gift Program

The Small Press Expo (SPX), the preeminent showcase for the exhibition of independent comics, graphic novels, and alternative political cartoons, is pleased to announce two fundraising events that will occur at the 2011 festival.

Roz Chast original cartoons

New Yorker cartoonist Roz Chast, known for her single-panel cartoons, illustration work and children’s books, will draw and sell original cartoons at the SPX signing table. Proceeds will be divided equally between SPX’s new Graphic Novel Gift Program and the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund. Pen and ink drawings will be $25 and watercolor drawings $50; Ms. Chast will be drawing on Saturday, 1:30-3:30PM and 5:00-6:30PM, and on Sunday from Noon-1:30PM. Additionally, books will be available for purchase at the signing table from our good friends at Politics & Prose.

Jeff Alexander Memorial Benefit Auction

The Comic Book Legal Defense Fund and the organizers of SPX are proud to honor the memory of former SPX Executive Director Jeff Alexander by launching an annual benefit auction in his name. Jeff Alexander was a friend to the small press community, both as a cartoonist and an organizer of SPX and the Ignatz Awards. He passed away earlier this year.

The first annual Jeff Alexander Memorial Benefit Auction includes pieces from Jeff’s personal collection that he donated to the CBLDF. Additional contributions have been donated by the SPX community, including Keith Knight, Raina Telgemeier, Jeffrey Brown and many more.

At the time of this release, items available for auction include:

Hannibal King – Eyes Only page
Charles Vess – Bone Prequel: Rose page signed by Charles Vess and Jeff Smith
Tony Millionaire – Billy Hazelnuts page
Pete Sickman Garner – Hey Mister page
Roger Langridge – The Pest in the Vest (Homage to Dr Seuss) page
Billy Tucci – Shi: Heaven and Earth, issue 4, page 25
Jeffrey Brown – CBLDF Year In Review page
Molly Crabapple – Mermaid
Chynna Clugston – Flores pin-up
Jonathan Ames & Dean Haspiel – Portrait of Ames screen print 5/5
Peter Bagge – Pizza Scholar pencil drawing
Camilla D’Errico – Caverns pin-up
Bill Morrison – Simpsons pin-up
Jeffrey Brown – Emerald City Comic-Con ad original art
Ray Fawkes painting
Jim Mahfood & David Mack painting

Additional pieces have been pledged and will be added as their images are received. More information, including images of all items, is available here.

The auction will happen Saturday, September 10, 2011 at 4:30 at SPX. Internet bids will be accepted by emailing Charles Brownstein before Saturday afternoon at 1 PM ET.

Comic Book Legal Defense Fund is a non-profit organization dedicated to the protection of the First Amendment rights of the comics artform and its community of retailers, creators, publishers, librarians, and readers. The CBLDF provides legal referrals, representation, advice, assistance, and education in furtherance of these goals.  For more information please visit https://www.cbldf.org.

For further information on the Small Press Expo Library Gift Program, please visit http://www.spxpo.com/graphic-novel-gift-program or contact Warren Bernard.

SPX will be held Saturday, September 10 from 11am-7pm and Sunday, September 11, 12-6pm at The North Bethesda Marriott Convention Center in Bethesda, Maryland. Admission is $10 for a single day and $15 for both days.