June: Jay Piscopo Appearance Schedule

In June, The Undersea Adventures of Capt'n Eli graphic novel author/illustrator Jay Piscopo will present his interactive Draw on Your Creativity drawing workshop for kids at the following locations:

June 9
3:30 - 5:30
Fiddlehead Center for the Arts -- Gray, ME

June 6
1:30 - 2:30
Private event

June 21
3:00
Walker Memorial Library -- Westbrook, ME
Summer reading program kick off!

June 29
7:00pm
New Gloucester Public Library -- New Gloucester, ME
Check out the Capt'n Eli's Soda van from 6:00 - 7:00pm!

View his full appearance schedule at this link.

Read more about his offerings for schools and libraries at this link.

To schedule an appearance, contact Tami Kennedy at tami@maine.rr.com

This Saturday: FREE Kids Cartooning Workshop with Jay Piscopo

WHAT: The Maine Comics Arts Festival presents a kids cartooning workshop with Jay Piscopo.

WHEN: Saturday, May 22 from 10:00–11:00am

WHERE: Portland Public Library, 5 Monument Square, Portland

ADMISSION: Admission is FREE

DESCRIPTION: Kids Cartooning Workshop: In this hour-long interactive workshop, children ages 7-12 are invited to try their hand at cartoon art. Using simple shapes, comic book artist Jay Piscopo will demonstrate how to build figures and perspective to create art that tells a story.

For a behind the scenes look at this interactive workshop, visit this link.

Be sure to visit Jay at the Maine Comics Arts Festival on Sunday, too! For more information, follow this link.

Sat, May 22 - Jay Piscopo kicks off Maine Comics Arts Festival

Jay Piscopo kicks off the Maine Comics Arts Festival with a free kids comics drawing workshop

PORTLAND, ME – (May 3, 2010) – Maine comic book artist Jay Piscopo will kick off the Maine Comics Arts Festival with a free kids comics drawing workshop. Piscopo is the author and illustrator of “The Undersea Adventures of Capt’n Eli” graphic novel
series. He has presented hundreds of workshops and classroom events teaching drawing and storytelling techniques.

WHAT: The Maine Comics Arts Festival presents a kids cartooning workshop with Jay Piscopo.

WHEN: Saturday, May 22 from 10:00–11:00am

WHERE: Portland Public Library, 5 Monument Square, Portland

ADMISSION: Admission is FREE

DESCRIPTION: Kids Cartooning Workshop: In this hour-long interactive workshop, children ages 7-12 are invited to try their hand at cartoon art. Using simple shapes, comic book artist Jay Piscopo will demonstrate how to build figures and perspective to create art that tells a story.

For a behind the scenes look at this interactive workshop, visit this link.

More about Jay Piscopo: Piscopo has been making state-of-the-art children's entertainment for nearly 20 years. He served as an art director at Tom Snyder Productions, where he led the creative team in the production of educational CD-ROMs, including the award-winning “Fizz and Martina Math Adventures” and was as an animator on the ABC Saturday morning show “Squigglevision.” He was also the co-creator of the internationally distributed comic book series featuring the world’s first disabled superheroes, “The Scrap City Pack Rats,” which he created in partnership with Goodwill Industries. Jay is an engaging presenter who has conducted hundreds of comics workshops and classroom events teaching drawing and storytelling techniques. He resides in his hometown of Portland, Maine.

More about “The Undersea Adventures of Capt’n Eli”: With his companions Jolly Roger, a 200-year-old parrot, and the faithful seadog Barney, Capt’n Eli takes readers into a mesmerizing world of time travel, high-tech ships, flying mini-subs, robots, lost civilizations, and undersea empires in conflict. Volumes 1 and 2 are available now and Volume 3 is scheduled for release in 2010. This series is published by Nemo Publishing and distributed nationally by Diamond Comics Distributors. Read more about the series at this link: http://www.captneli.com/gnseries.php

Capt'n Eli's origins are quite unique. He’s the namesake of real-life World War II veteran Eli Forsley who was also the inspiration for a line of hand-crafted sodas from Portland, Maine. Read more at this link.

More about the Maine Comics Arts Festival: The Maine Comics Arts Festival will be held Sunday, May 23 from 10:00am – 5:00pm at Ocean Gateway on the Portland waterfront. Admission is $5 and kids 12 and under are free. Workshops and panels will take place on Saturday, May 22 at the Portland Public Library. More information can be found at this link.

Website: www.captneli.com
Blog: www.captneli.blogspot.com

###

Jay Piscopo: May Appearance Schedule

These two photos are from graphic novel artist Jay Piscopo's three-part comics drawing class at The Port Teen Center in Freeport, Maine. The Port is an amazing place and the students were lots of fun to work with.

In May, he will present his hour-long interactive Draw on Your Creativity workshop at the following schools and libraries.

May 21
Mahoney Middle School -- South Portland, ME

May 27
Elm Street School -- Mechanic Falls, ME

On Saturday, May 22 at 10:00am Piscopo will kick off the Maine Comics Arts Festival with a free Kids Cartooning Workshop at the Portland Public Library. In this hour-long workshop, children ages 7-12 are invited to try their hand at cartoon art. Using simple geometric shapes, Piscopo will demonstrate how to build figures and perspective to create art that tells a story.

For a behind the scenes look at this interactive workshop, visit this link.

On Sunday, May 23 he will debut his new "Creatures of the Sea" coloring book at the Maine Comics Arts Festival. He will offer free superhero sketches to convention goers all day long.

View his full appearance schedule at this link.

To schedule an appearance, contact Tami Kennedy at tami@maine.rr.com

Jay Piscopo is the author and illustrator of The Undersea Adventures of Capt'n Eli graphic novel series.

Jay Piscopo draws a crowd at Maine Festival of the Book

View photos at this link.

On Saturday, April 10, 2010 comic book artist Jay Piscopo presented his interactive cartooning workshop to a standing room only crowd at the 4^th annual Maine Festival of the Book. Using simple geometric shapes, Jay demonstrated how anyone can learn to draw and create comics.

Portland, Maine-based Piscopo is the author and illustrator of The Undersea Adventures of Capt’n Eli all-ages graphic novel series. He also co-created The Scrap City Pack Rats, art directed the award-winning Fizz and Martina Math Adventures, and was an animator for ABC TV’s Squigglevision.

Earlier in the week, Piscopo also presented the festival’s youth outreach component with a program for students in the Jobs for Maine’s Graduates' annual Urban Adventure program.

This Saturday: Jay Piscopo at Maine Festival of the Book

A real page turner
The fourth Maine Festival of the Book opens Friday with three days devoted to all things literary.

By Meredith Goad
Staff Writer

Readings and discussions will be running all day Saturday at the Abromson Center, with topics ranging from writing novels to historic preservation. Comic book artist Jay Piscopo will be hosting a cartoon workshop for ages 7 to 12 at 11 a.m., and from noon to 2 p.m., about 30 authors will hold court at a Book Signing Bonanza, where fans can meet favorite authors.

Read full article at this link.

All attendees of Jay's workshop will receive a free copy of Volume 1 of The Undersea Adventures of Capt'n Eli.

Jay Piscopo: Free program at Maine Festival of the Book

Free young adult, children's programs part of Maine Festival of the Book

Download a Maine Festival of the Book brochure HERE.

Programs designed for all ages and interests will be presented at the Maine Festival of the Book on Saturday, April 10 at the Abromson Center at the University of Southern Maine, Portland. The programs are free and open to the public.

Presented by Maine Reads, the festival offers more than 30 readings, signings, performances, and panel discussions. With the exception of Opening Night on the evening of April 9, a benefit for Maine Reads featuring bestselling authors Tess Gerritsen and Anita Shreve, programs are free. (Tickets for Opening Night are available through www.mainereads.org.)

On Saturday, April 10, young adult and children’s authors will be on hand to sign books and chat with their fans at a special book signing presented by Maine Writers & Publishers Alliance, from noon to 2 pm at the Abromson Center at USM.

Just prior to the book signing session, at 11 am on Saturday, comic book artist Jay Piscopo will present a cartooning workshop for children ages 7-12 at the Abromson Center as part of the Maine Festival of the Book. The workshop is free and open to the public on a first-come, first-serve, basis.

Using simple geometric shapes, Jay will demonstrate how anyone can learn to draw and create comics. While sharing cartooning tips, he will teach perspective and figure drawing to create art that tells a story. Art supplies will be provided.

Portland artist Jay Piscopo is the author and illustrator of The Undersea Adventures of Capt’n Eli, an all-ages graphic novel series. He also co-created The Scrap City Pack Rats, art directed the award-winning Fizz and Martina Math Adventures, and was an animator for ABC TV’s Squigglevision.

Piscopo will also donate his time as part of the festival’s outreach efforts and will present a program for students in the Jobs for Maine’s Graduates program that week.

The festival will also include free readings and discussions for the adult audience starting at 9 a.m. on Saturday, April 10 at the Abromson Center at USM. Programs will run concurrently for approximately an hour each, giving attendees the opportunity to spend a day immersed in new literature and meeting some of their favorite authors while moving from programs ranging from biography, to writing novels, to gardening and historic preservation.

The Maine Festival of the Book is produced by Maine Reads in collaboration with organizations statewide.

Dedicated to the fight for a more literate Maine, Maine Reads provides meaningful programs that celebrate Maine’s rich literacy heritage and encourage literacy and collaboration.

In addition to the Maine Festival of the Book, Maine Reads presents Read With ME., which distributes books to kindergartners statewide, and the Maine Reads Community Literacy Project, which supports libraries statewide.

Jay Piscopo: April Appearance Schedule

In April, graphic novel artist Jay Piscopo will present his interactive Draw on Your Creativity workshop at the following schools and libraries.

These appearances include presenting the keynote address at the Maine Student Book Awards in Blue Hill and Career Day in Yarmouth.

View his full appearance schedule at this link.

To schedule an appearance, contact Tami Kennedy at tami@maine.rr.com


Jay is the author and illustrator of The Undersea Adventures of Capt'n Eli graphic novel series.

April 1
Maine Student Book Awards
Keynote and Workshops
Blue Hill Consolidated School
Blue Hill, ME

April 6, 16, and 29
Comics Drawing Workshop
The PORT Teen Center
Freeport, ME

April 8
11:00 - 12:15
Maine Recreation and Parks Association
Annual Conference
Camden, ME

April 9
11:30 - Noon
UNUM Corporate Offices
Maine Reads -- Maine Festival of the Book
Special kick off for JMG's Urban Adventure

April 10
11:00
Maine Festival of the Book -- Portland, ME

April 13
7:45 - 10:50
Keynote - Career Day at Frank Harrison Middle School
Yarmouth, ME

April 28
JMG - Career Development Conference
Augusta, ME

Jay Piscopo: Maine Student Book Awards Keynote

This Thursday, April 1st graphic novel artist Jay Piscopo will be the keynote speaker at the Maine Student Book Awards at Blue Hill Consolidated School in Blue Hill. 200 Maine high school students will spend the day learning about drawing, digital storytelling, what goes into creating a comic book, and how books are made.

Jay is the author and illustrator of The Undersea Adventures of Capt'n Eli graphic novel series and will speak about his influences and creative process.

Watch a short behind the scenes video of Jay at work in his studio at this link.

April 10: Jay Piscopo at the Maine Festival of the Book

WHAT: The Maine Festival of the Book presents a cartooning workshop with Jay Piscopo

WHEN: Saturday, April 10 from 11:00am - Noon

WHERE: University of Southern Maine -- Abromson Community Education Center
88 Bedford St., Portland , Maine
Free parking will be available in the adjacent USM Parking Garage.
Directions at this link

ADMISSION: Admission is FREE and all attendees will receive a FREE copy of Volume 1 of Jay Piscopo's The Undersea Adventures of Capt'n Eli.

MORE: Children ages 7-12 are invited to try their hand at cartoon art. Using simple shapes, comic book artist Jay Piscopo will demonstrate how to build figures and perspective to create art that tells a story. Stand by for adventure in this hour-long, interactive workshop!

Jay Piscopo: March Appearance Schedule

In March, graphic novel artist Jay Piscopo will present his interactive Draw on Your Creativity workshop at the following schools and libraries. View his full appearance schedule at this link.

March 3
5:30 - 7:00pm
Guys Read Book Group
Orono Public Library -- Orono, ME

March 11
10:00 -- Reiche Community School -- Portland, ME

March 22
2:00 -- TEACH -- Waterboro, ME

March 24
12:15pm -- Veazie Community School -- Veazie, ME

March 31
3:00 -- Blue Hill Public Library -- Blue Hill, ME

Jay Piscopo is the author and illustrator of The Undersea Adventures of Capt'n Eli all ages graphic novel series.

In his interactive Draw on Your Creativity drawing workshop, he uses simple geometric shapes to teach kids how to build anatomy and perspective to create art that tells a story. Check out photos at this link.

The Undersea Adventures of Capt'n Eli is the perfect way to Make a Splash @ Your Library in Summer 2010! For more information and to book Jay Piscopo for a visit at your school or library, contact Tami Kennedy at tami@maine.rr.com.

Jay Piscopo: February Appearance Schedule

In February, Jay Piscopo will present his interactive Draw on Your Creativity workshop at Walker Memorial Library, 800 Main St. in Westbrook, Maine.

DATE: Wednesday, February 17
TIME: 10:15am

To register:
854.0630, option number 4
chenningsachs@westbrook.me.us

Jay Piscopo is the author and illustrator of The Undersea Adventures of Capt'n Eli all ages graphic novel series. In his interactive Draw on Your Creativity drawing workshop, he uses simple geometric shapes to teach kids how to build anatomy and perspective to create art that tells a story. Check out photos at this link. The Undersea Adventures of Capt'n Eli is the perfect way to Make a Splash @ Your Library in Summer 2010! For more information and to book Jay Piscopo for a visit at your school or library, contact Tami Kennedy at tami@maine.rr.com.

January Appearance Schedule

View my full appearance schedule at this link.

January 20

12:15pm
Veazie Community School -- Veazie, ME

6:00pm
Bookgroup: Guys read, too!
Orono Public Library -- Orono, ME

I am the author and illustrator of The Undersea Adventures of Capt'n Eli all ages graphic novel series. In my interactive Draw on Your Creativity drawing workshop, I use simple geometric shapes to teach kids how to build anatomy and perspective to create art that tells a story. Check out photos from my workshop at this link. The Undersea Adventures of Capt'n Eli is the perfect way to Make a Splash @ Your Library in Summer 2010! For more information and to book me to visit your school or library visit this link or contact Tami Kennedy at tami@maine.rr.com

Jay Piscopo: January Appearance Schedule

View Jay Piscopo's full appearance schedule at this link.

January 20

12:15pm
Veazie Community School -- Veazie, ME

6:00pm
Bookgroup: Guys read, too!
Orono Public Library -- Orono, ME

Jay Piscopo is the author and illustrator of The Undersea Adventures of Capt'n Eli all ages graphic novel series. In his interactive Draw on Your Creativity drawing workshop, comic book artist Jay Piscopo uses simple geometric shapes to teach kids how to build anatomy and perspective to create art that tells a story. Check out photos from his workshop at this link. The Undersea Adventures of Capt'n Eli is the perfect way to Make a Splash @ Your Library in Summer 2010! For more information and to book Jay to visit your school or library visit this link or contact Tami Kennedy at tami@maine.rr.com

Grants Available: Maine Libraries

Maine libraries are eligible for Maine Community Literacy Project planning and implementation grants from Maine Reads. Implementation grants range from $500 to $2,000. More at this link.

Over the past four years, more than forty Maine libraries have received funding through the Maine Community Literacy Project.