Pen & Ink Convention

Newton Abbot Library has pulled in some heavyweight artists for an exciting new comics and book art convention at the stunning Passmore Edwards Centre on February 24th and 25th this year.  

Launching with a panel discussion from Jock, Lee Garbett and Smiley Shri, the small but mighty event has gathered artists from across the country to celebrate and champion the world of comics, book artists and author illustrators from independents to DIY-ers to familiar names. 

Philip Reeve and Sarah McIntyre, creators of creators of funny, highly illustrated adventures like Oliver and the Seawigs, Pugs of the Frozen North, and the Legend of Kevin will be offering a comics workshop and signing books.  

Emily Fox the fantastic illustrator of the bookquest for Libraries Unlimited will be doing a special workshop created just for this event based around the bookquest and its characters. 

Stephanie Austin writer of the Juno Browne mystery series set in Ashburton will be doing a reading of her new book; Death on Dartmoor. 

The usual activities you might find at a regular Comicon like Tabling and talks will be on the menu but the team’s vision for this event has placed community on the agenda, most of the talented artists renting a table are from the locale (Devon has a surprising number of successful artists in its parishes!) and bringing this community together in the setting of the library in the centre of Newton Abbot takes it to the people and possibly new audiences. Comics promote the joy of reading and offer accessibility, a culture at the heart of libraries.  

With something for everyone; anime films, a screening of ENCANTO, zine workshops, masterclasses, Drink and Draw and their very own board game café, Pen and Ink promises to be an event not to be missed. 

Pen & Ink is a non-profit event to raise awareness of Libraries Unlimited, the charity that runs Devon Libraries. There is a small fee to some activities, but the general entry is free. Donations are appreciated, to enable us to keep organising cultural events like this.  

For information, timetable and booking visit https://bit.ly/penandinkconvention  (eventbrite  link). Keep an eye out on our social media pages for lots of exciting announcements regarding the event.