Toronto Comic Arts Festival
| Convention | |
|---|---|
| Name: | Toronto Comic Arts Festival |
| Dates: | 2003-present |
| Frequency: | bi-annual (2003-2009), then annual (2010-onwards) |
| Location: | Toronto Reference Library, Toronto, ON |
| Type: | festival, free-entry |
| Focus: | Alternative and independent comics |
| Organization: | TCAF, Toronto Public Library |
| Founder: | Peter Birkemoe, Chris Butcher |
| Founding Date: | March 29, 2003 |
| URL: | https://www.torontocomics.com/ |
 TCAF 2019 poster by Junji Ito | |
| Click here for related articles on Fanlore. | |
The Toronto Comic Arts Festival (TCAF for short) is a large, free-admission comics convention held annually in Toronto, Ontario.
Its primary focus is on alternative and independent comics, but other forms of creative expression are also featured. Alongside traditionally-published comics creators and individuals (or small businesses), authors, artists, and publishers selling their original work, many fanartists can be found tabling at the event each year, selling fanart and other fan-made merchandise to fellow fans.
It was founded by Peter Birkmoe and Chris Butcher, owners of "The Beguiling" comic shop in Toronto. It was initially held bi-annually (2003, 2005, 2007), until 2009 when the founders partnered with the Toronto Public Library and secured the Toronto Reference Library as an ongoing venue. Since then, it has been an annual event. It is also modelled on art book fairs rather than traditional comics conventions which have become multi-media pop culture events, and holds panels and workshops on comic art and the industry, as well as other related subjects.
Posters
TCAF's yearly posters have become collectible items in and of themselves. They have frequently been created by fan-favourite comics artists and cartoonists, including James Jean, Darwyn Cooke, Bryan Lee O'Malley, Jillian Tamaki, Kate Beaton, Emily Carroll, and Junji Ito.[1]
Event History[2]
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2003
The first TCAF was held on March 29, 2003 at the Trinity-St. Paul's United Church in Toronto. Approximately 600 people attended, with 25 staff and approximately 70 creators[3]. There were no featured guests.
2005
Held May 28–29, 2005 in the parking lot of Honest Ed's in a number of large tents. Approximately 6000 people attended.
2007
Held August 18–19, 2007 at Victoria College. There were around 6,000 attendees and a number of featured guests: Chester Brown, Darwyn Cooke, Evan Dorkin, James Jean, Joe Matt, Paul Pope and Seth
2009
Held May 9–10, 2009 at the Toronto Reference Library for the first time.10,500 people attended, with over 300 exhibitors consisting of authors, artists, and publishers from six different countries, including France, Germany, Japan, and England.[3] The featured guests were: Ivan Brunetti, Anke Feuchtenberger, Emmanuel Guibert, Bryan Lee O’Malley, Paul Pope, Seth, Yoshihiro Tatsumi and Adrian Tomine.
References
- ^ TCAF Posters page on TCAF official website. Accessed Nov 15, 2023. (archive links: Wayback Machine, archive.today)
- ^ Toronto Comic Arts Festival - Wikipedia
- ^ a b "About TCAF" on the TCAF Official Website. Accessed Mar 1/24 (archive link: Wayback Machine)