Jimmy Gownley Joins Jeff Smith & Comics All-Stars For CBLDF’s Nov. 10 Benefit Brunch!

TUKI CBLDF Poster mediumJimmy Gownley, creator of Amelia Rules, will be on hand to sign advance reading copies of his soon-to-be-released comics memoir The Dumbest Idea Ever!, which will be given as a special gift to donors attending CBLDF’s Kids’ Right to Read Benefit Brunch on November 10 at the Society of Illustrators in New York City! Jeff Smith will host the event, where he’ll unveil his new series Tuki Save The Humans with a public performance. In addition, legendary cartoonists Patrick McDonnell (Mutts), Paul Pope (Battling Boy), Liza Donnelly (The New Yorker), Michael Maslin (The New Yorker), and Larry Marder (Beanworld) will mingle with donors who attend this event supporting the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund’s Kids’ Right to Read program! Tickets to this event are partially tax-deductible, and available at www.cbldf.org. Don’t delay — seats are going quickly!

CBLDF is a non-profit organization that protects the freedom to read, create, and distribute comics by performing legal aid, education, and advocacy activities. Smith recently joined the Fund’s Board of Directors and will host this lively afternoon event, where attendees will also enjoy brunch with the most outstanding authors in contemporary graphic fiction and an auction of original art and signed books from Tony DiTerlizzi (WondLa), Matt Holm (Babymouse), Jarrett Krosoczka (Lunch Lady), Greg Ruth (Lost Boy), and more to come!

Doors will open at 11:00 a.m., followed by viewing of the exhibits and silent auction. Smith’s performance will begin at 12:00 p.m., to be followed by brunch and viewing time in the Society’s galleries.

Admission is partially tax-deductible. There are two levels of admission to this special event:

General Admission Tickets are available for a $100 donation to CBLDF and includes admission to the exhibits, brunch, and a souvenir print signed by Jeff Smith. $40 of this contribution is tax-deductible. (http://cbldf.myshopify.com/products/jeff-smiths-cbldf-benefit-brunch-featuring-tuki-world-premiereThere are fewer than 25 seats left at this level!

Dine With Jeff Smith VIP Admission Tickets are available for a $250 donation to CBLDF. This includes dining with Jeff Smith and also includes admission to the exhibits, brunch, and a souvenir print signed by Smith. $190 of this contribution is tax-deductible. (http://cbldf.myshopify.com/products/jeff-smiths-cbldf-benefit-brunch-featuring-tuki-world-premiere) There are fewer than 5 seats left at this level!

Donors will enjoy three of the Society’s exhibits: The Original Art, a juried exhibit showcasing the original art from the year’s best children’s books; Battling Boy, a selection of original pages from Paul Pope’s extraordinary new graphic novel, and The Collection of Michael Maslin and Liza DonnellyNew Yorker cartoonists whose collection includes works by cartoon luminaries from the magazine’s past, such as James Thurber, Gluyas Williams, and Helen Hokinson, and its present, including Jack Ziegler, Roz Chast, Bob Mankoff, Mick Stevens, Drew Dernavich, Zachary Kanin, Barbara Smaller. Donnelly, Maslin, and Pope will all be on hand at the brunch to discuss their exhibits with attendees.

Your admission to brunch supports CBLDF’s important work protecting Kids’ Right to Read. CBLDF is a leader in opposing censorship and in support of a parent’s right to choose what content is suitable for his or her children. The Fund helps to keep books on shelves and empowers students to speak up for their rights. In the past year, CBLDF has helped protect dozens of books, from Marjane Satrapi’s Persepolis to Anne Frank’s The Diary of a Young Girl. CBLDF’s publications Raising A Reader and Using Graphic Novels in Education are vital tools in helping the next generation of teachers, librarians, and parents use comics to promote literacy. The Fund’s efforts to fight censorship in courtrooms and classrooms are essential to protecting the future of comics. This brunch will advance that important work by raising money to support 2014 Kids’ Right to Read efforts.

About Comic Book Legal Defense Fund
Comic Book Legal Defense Fund is a non-profit organization dedicated to the protection of the First Amendment rights of the comics art form 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. https://www.cbldf.org

About the Museum of American Illustration at the Society of Illustrators
The Society of Illustrators, founded in 1901, is the oldest nonprofit organization solely dedicated to the art and appreciation of illustration in America. Prominent Society members have been Maxfield Parrish, N.C. Wyeth and Norman Rockwell, among others. The Museum of American Illustration was established by the Society in 1981 and is located in the Society’s vintage 1875 carriage house building in mid-town Manhattan. The Museum is open to the public Tuesday, 10 am-8 pm; Wednesday-Friday, 10 am-5 pm; and Saturday, 12-4 pm. Admission is free of charge on Tuesday from 5-8pm. To learn more about visiting the Museum and the Society click here or contact Executive Director Anelle Miller at 212-838-2560 or anelle@societyillustrators.org.

About the Museum of Comic and Cartoon Art
The museumʼs purpose has been the collection, preservation, study, education, and display of comic and cartoon art. Every genre of the art is represented: animation, anime, cartoons, comic books, comic strips, gag cartoons, humorous illustration, illustration, political illustration, editorial cartoons, caricature, graphic novels, sports cartoons, and computer-generated art. It is the mission of the museum to promote the understanding and appreciation of comic and cartoon art as well as to detail and discuss the artistic, cultural, and historical impact of what is the worldʼs most popular art form.