Applying to CCS? Have Questions? Register to Meet 1-on-1:

Do you have burning questions about CCS’s MFA and certificate programs but aren’t able to make it to one of our admissions events? Drop us a line at outreach@cartoonstudies.org and we can set up a 1-on-1 video chat session to answer any of your questions about the curriculum, the application process, student housing, financial aid, living in Vermont, or anything else you need to know about applying to CCS!


Announcing the shortlist for the 2024 CARTOONIST STUDIO PRIZE AWARD

Each year, the Cartoonist Studio Prize will be awarded to work that exemplifies excellence in cartooning. The creators of two exceptional comics for this year will be awarded $1,000 each. The winners will be selected by The Beat and The Schulz Library staff at The Center for Cartoon Studies (CCS).

This year, there are thirteen nominees in each the “long-form” category and the “short-form” category.

The nominees for Best Long-Form Comic are:

  • Anais Nin: A Sea of Lies by Léonie Bischoff
  • The Chromatic Fantasy by H.A.
  • The Cliff by Manon Debaye
  • Cuckoo by Joe Sparrow
  • Eden II by K. Wroten
  • Eric’s Sister by Kaitlin Chan
  • The Great Beyond by Léa Murawiec
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Spring Eisner Lecture: People, Places, Podcasts


The Center for Cartoon Studies, The Will and Ann Eisner Family Foundation, and The Leslie Center for Humanities at Dartmouth present

People, Place, Podcasts
Emily Bazelon and Erica Heilman in Conversation

Who: Two one-of-a-kind journalists and podcasters
What: A discussion and Q&A
Where: Carson Hall L01, Dartmouth College Campus, Hanover, NH
When: Thursday 4/18, 5:00-6:30pm
Free and open to the public.

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New Book: RUTH ASAWA GRAPHIC BIOGRAPHY BY SAM NAKAHIRA ‘21

The much-awaited graphic biography of world-renowned artist Ruth Asawa by Sam Nakahira ‘21 who was bestowed the privilege of documenting and sharing the life of such an amazing human being. RUTH ASAWA: AN ARTIST TAKES SHAPE releases on March 20 by Getty Publications and ABRAMS Kids!  

“This graphic biography by Sam Nakahira, developed in consultation with Asawa’s younger daughter, Addie Lanier, chronicles the genesis of Asawa as an artist—from the horror of Pearl Harbor to her transformative education at Black Mountain College to building her life in San Francisco, where she would further develop and refine her groundbreaking sculpture.” —Getty Publications

“Nakahira chronicles the young adult years of acclaimed Japanese American artist Ruth Asawa (1926–2013) in this illuminating graphic novel debut.” —Publishers Weekly 

Ruth Asawa led a remarkable life as an artist, activist, and teacher. While incarcerated as a child with her family and thousands of other Japanese Americans after the bombing of Pearl Harbor, Asawa drew for hours and was inspired to become a teacher after she attended informal classes led by Disney animators who were incarcerated with her at the Santa Anita Racetrack. Despite the racist policies at the time, Asawa would later pursue the arts, and develop wire sculptures acclaimed the world over.

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Critically New Book: Acclaimed Horror Graphic Novel TENDER by Beth Hetland ‘11

“An incredibly paced horror story that’s equal parts sardonic, gruesome, and tender. A Jeanne Dielman for the Instagram generation.” —Katie Skelly

“Chicago cartoonist and educator Beth Hetland’s graphic novel debut is a brilliant psychological thriller that tears down the wall of a genre — body horror — so often identified with male creators. Heady and visceral, Tender uses horrific tropes to confront women’s societal expectations of self-sacrifice despite those traditional roles often coming at the expense of female sexuality and empowerment.” —Fantagraphics

Congratulations to Beth Hetland ‘11 on the release of her graphic psychological thriller debut, TENDER, by Fantagraphics!

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You can now pre-order THE ART OF CRYING by Pepita Sandwich ’19

Exciting news! You can now pre-order THE ART OF CRYING by CCS alum, visual artist, and educator, Pepita Sandwich ‘19, and Hatchette Books. 

“A book that I’ve been researching and working on for the past 3 years… I’m already crying tears of joy.”

The brilliantly researched and illustrated book officially hits bookstores on April 30, 2024. More from Hachette Books: “In The Art of Crying, Pepita Sandwich makes the case that crying is humanity’s most misunderstood and magical special effect. We are the only animals who shed tears as a result of the emotions we feel. But crying is not our weakness: it’s our superpower. Our tears are a path to growth and healing that leads to deeper and more fulfilling experiences.” 

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