Welcome to “What’s in Store,” the first of a weekly column highlighting comix, artists, and activities at the fabulous Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery in Seattle. And we do have a lot in store this summer. Make your vacation plans now.
On Saturday, June 13 Fantagraphics Bookstore welcomes Brooklyn-based cartoonist Koren Shadmi presenting his new book Mike’s Place from First Second. The book chronicles a peaceful, cosmopolitan Tel Aviv nightclub shattered by a suicide bombing. The Israeli-born artist engagingly renders this compelling true story written by filmmakers Jack Baxter and Joshua Faudem. Don’t miss a chance to meet this extraordinary artist. Shadmi will be joined by longtime Seattle comix artist and educator Greg Stump for a special preview of his debut graphic novel Disillusioned Illusions from Fantagraphics Underground. This event will include an exhibition of his clever illustrations and a book signing. Bonus: This coincides with the 10th annual Georgetown Carnival art festival featuring Hazardfactory’s world famous Power Tool Races, four stages of music and performance, three beer gardens, interactive arts, carnival games, confections, crafts, sideshows, burlesque, stilt walkers, and spontaneous spectacles all day long. Free fun for all ages from noon to 10:00 PM.
On Saturday, July 11 we host the launch of legendary graphic designer Art Chantry‘s new book from Feral House, Art Chantry Speaks: A Heretic’s History of 20th Century Graphic Design. These captivating essays document the essential elements of graphic arts before the invention of computer technology, revealing a gifted artist’s approach to his craft. Chantry’s unique aesthetic was central in the formulation of Seattle’s grunge youth movement in the 1990s. His work remains relevant and his insights instructive. Meet this amazing artist from 6:00 to 9:00 PM during the July 11 edition of the Georgetown Art Attack.
Hot Off The Press: A Cool Summer Small Press Fest features some of the most notorious personalities in Seattle’s literary, comix and book publishing scenes on Saturday, August 8. In addition to tables of indie publications from the Intruder comix collective, Yeti Press and other regional imprints, the show includes a reading from The Octopus Rises by Ryan Boudinot, Noah Van Sciver presenting Fante Bukowski, and an exhibition of original art from the latest volume of Gina Siciliano‘s epic graphic biography I Know What I Am: The True Story of Artemisia Gentileschi.
Fantagraphics Bookstore is located at 1201 S. Vale Street in the heart of Seattle’s lively Georgetown arts community. Open daily, 11:30 to 8:00 PM, Sundays until 5:00 PM. Phone 206.658.0110. Please note the bookstore will be closed on Memorial Day Monday, May 25.