National Cartoonists Society 80th Anniversary Celebration

Join some of today’s most beloved graphic novel, comic strip, and comic book creators for an afternoon of stories, drawing, laughter and inspiration as The Billy Ireland Cartoon Library & Museum (BICLM) and Wexner Center for the Arts host the NCS Cartoonist Showcase, a community-wide event in collaboration with the National Cartoonists Society (NCS) and Scholastic’s Graphix imprint.

Date

August 8, 2026

Cost

$0.00 – $10.00

Time

1 p.m. to 6 p.m. ET

Location

The event will take place in the Billy Ireland Cartoon Library & Museum and the Mershon Auditorium in the Wexner Center for the Arts.

From iconic characters and thrilling adventures to heartfelt stories about growing up, beloved graphic novel and comics creators have helped shape generations of readers through the power of comics.

Throughout the afternoon, bestselling and award-winning Graphix creators Jim Benton (It’s Happy Bunny®), Jamar Nicholas (Leon The Extraordinary), Dav Pilkey (Dog Man®), Maria Scrivan (Nat Enough) and Raina Telgemeier (Smile) will each take the stage for a special spotlight presentation and a live drawing experience to share the creative journey behind their work.

At the Billy Ireland Cartoon Library & Museum (BICLM), Cathy Guisewite will deliver a special talk in honor of the 50th Anniversary of her iconic comic strip, “Cathy.” Colleen Doran, bestselling cartoonist whose work includes “A Distant Soil,” “The Sandman,” “American Gods,” and more, will also give a featured presentation.

Forty cartoonists from the National Cartoonists Society will participate in signings, meet and greets and photo opportunities throughout the day in the lobbies of BICLM and Mershon, offering visitors unique opportunities to engage directly with creators. This event is held in conjunction with the National Cartoonists Society 80th Reuben Awards & Conference.
Event Schedule:
Billy Ireland Cartoon Library & Museum

1 p.m. – Doors and museum gallery open

1 – 2 p.m. – Colleen Doran, bestselling cartoonist, will present to visitors in the Schulz Auditorium

1 – 5:00 p.m. – Experience a unique opportunity to engage directly with cartoonists from the NCS who will offer signings, meet and greets and photo opportunities.

5 – 6 p.m. – Join Cathy Guisewite for a special talk in honor of the 50th Anniversary of her iconic comic strip, “Cathy.”

Events at the Billy Ireland Cartoon Library & Museum are free to all.
Mershon Auditorium

1 p.m. – Doors open

1 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. – Cartoonists from the NCS will offer signings and sketches.

1:50 p.m. – Welcome Remarks, Jenny Robb, Associate Professor and Head Curator at the Billy Ireland Cartoon Library & Museum

2 – 2:15 p.m. – Raina Telgemeier, Drawing from Real Life

2:15 – 2:30 p.m. – Jim Benton, The Art of Being Funny

2:30 – 2:45 p.m. – Maria Scrivan, Turning Awkward Moments into Awesome Stories

2:45 – 3 p.m. – Jamar Nicholas, Heroes, Hamsters, and Big Problems

3 – 3:15 p.m. – Dav Pilkey, Celebrating Neurodiversity and Creativity with the creator of “Dog Man” and “Captain Underpants”

3:30 – 5:30 p.m. – Author signings and meet and greet

Dav Pilkey – Meet and greet and book signing in the Mershon Auditorium

Raina Telgemeier – Book signing of “Facing Feelings,” and photos in the Wexner Center Store

Jim Benton, Maria Scrivan and Jamar Nicholas, group signing in the Wexner Center Store

Events taking place in the Mershon Auditorium are ticketed. Find information on tickets at the link.

Are you a professional cartoonist and interested in joining the National Cartoonist Society? Check us out HERE.

And if you’re under age 27, join our 27 Club and save big on a year’s membership!