Alaska Robotics

Alaska Robotics News presents the 2016 State of the State Address…

It lives! The Alaska Robotics Mini-Con website lives!

We’ve posted our guest list and more information about applying to exhibit or participate in our artist camp. Go check it out!

Alaska Robotics Mini-Con

I’m very happy to announce Alaska Robotics Mini-Con, a festival and artist camp taking place right here in Juneau from April 22-26th.

Aaron, Lou and I have been hosting guest artists for several years through our work at the Alaska Robotics Gallery and JUMP Society as well as through partnerships with other non-profit organizations like the Friends of the Juneau Public Libraries. We’ve also spent many years attending and exhibiting at comic conventions and arts festivals. Encouraged by those wonderful experiences, we decided it was time for us to host our own tiny comic convention and artist getaway.

I hesitate to even use the phrase “comic convention” when describing the event but those who have attended such things know that the term has grown to include a much more broad collection of pop and contemporary arts, games, music and more. We’re planning to embrace the spirit of those outside conventions but provide a far more down-to-earth, Southeast Alaska experience.

This is far from the official schedule of events but should shed some light on what we have in mind…

**Draft** Schedule

Friday, April 22nd

Guests arrive. We’ll visit some schools and settle in during the day. In the early evening we’ll host a reception and kick-off event for the community and our guests.

Saturday, April 23rd

This is the mini-convention day, an event for the community where people can meet artists, get sketches and have books signed. I’m imagining all the trappings of a bigger convention, just on a much smaller scale. We’ll have spin-off events, drawing hangouts and presentations with guest artists as well.

In the evening, after the convention winds down, we retreat to our secret camp in the woods.

Sunday & Monday, April 24th & 25th

Two days of camp for artists. We’ve booked a multi-cabin campground, a little rustic but totally cozy, for workshops and lectures with lots of breaks for board games, books, meals and hanging out with some of our favorite people.

Guest artists have already proposed some really intriguing and unique workshops and conversations geared toward an audience of peers and working artists.

This camp has limited space. We have about 15 guests at this point and will select a small group of 20-35 attendees to join us for this unique camp experience. The first round of applications will open January 18th. 19th!

Tuesday, April 26th

Last day at camp. We’ll probably have a Together Breakfast, say goodbyes and fly people home. Maybe an optional hiking adventure for people who leave later in the day.

If that sounds like something you’re interested in, keep in touch. We’ll be announcing guests and opening registration for artist camp participants and convention exhibitors on January 18th when we launch a more official website for the event.

I’m excited to announce guests. I’ve let a few names slip already. They’re awesome. Humble superstars. Kind, generous, talented and thoughtful people who love comics, visual storytelling, music and art.

It’s going to be a lot of fun.

It’s almost time for a new Star Wars movie. I thought I should trot out this old slam poetry piece I did a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away.

Performed in a dimly lit backroom theater on Coruscant, this one is dedicated to brave men and women of the Empire.

If you’re familiar with my work, you might have seen this already.

If not, I challenge you to guess the title of my ultimate avian Christmas pun!

If you’d like a print, or the answer, visit our store.

Did I mention that we’re having a holiday sale? 15% off everything in our online store with the discount code “FRENZY”

And if you like webcomics, here are a few other folks having holiday sales.

There’s also a great big sale at Gallery Nucleus, 20% off with the discount code “GOBBLE20”

Huzzah! Commerce & turkey leftovers.

I think there will be a lot of uncomfortable and important conversations to be had over big family dinners this season. They’re always a harrowing intersection of love, frustration, truth and uninformed opinions.

I’ll definitely skim Snopes before I go. Looking forward to some cranberry sauce.

We’re partnering with the good people at NorthWind Architects to put on a Halloween Haunted House art show.

Submit your unframed haunted house cross sections or blue prints to the gallery by October 28th.

If you’re unfamiliar with cross sections or cut aways, here’s a great pyramid by our friend Scott C.

This is an all ages show so please keep the blood and guts to a tasteful excess.