January 24, 2011

Event date: –

White River Junction, Vermont—James Kochalka will be appointed Vermont’s first cartoonist laureate on Thursday, March 10, 2011.

“A cartoonist laureate is the kind of thinking outside-the-box that Vermont supports. Cartooning promotes literacy and literature, two things we can’t have enough of,” stated Vermont Governor Peter Shumlin.

Like Vermont’s poet laureate, the cartoonist laureate is a person whose primary residence is Vermont, whose work manifests a high degree of excellence, who has produced a critically acclaimed body of work, and who has a long association with Vermont. James Kochalka was born in Springfield, Vermont in 1967 and graduated from the University of Vermont in 1989. He now lives in Burlington with his wife and two sons.

“In recognizing the literary and artistic merit of a medium that has truly come-of-age, Vermont affirms the cartoonists’ international impact on social cultural and political issues. In doing so, it has also become a safe haven, if not a Mecca of sorts, for all who are passionate about the art form,” noted Alex Aldrich, Executive Director of the Vermont Arts Council.

According to The Center for Cartoon Studies director James Sturm, “Whether they are funny, philosophical, or naughty, James Kochalka brings a childlike intensity to all of his work. With his diary comic he has influenced countless cartoonists and has forever altered the landscape of cartooning.” Kochalka began his daily diary comic on October 26, 1998.

The Center for Cartoon Studies, an internationally renowned cartooning school located in White River Junction, Vermont, conducted the selection process. James Kochalka will commemorate significant Vermont events in comics and serve as an ambassador for cartooning—an art form that engages readers of all ages. Kochalka will serve a three-year term.

“I love being a cartoonist and I love being a Vermonter. I am honored to be able to combine the two,” said James Kochalka.

In recognition of the appointment, a day-long celebration will take place March 10, with events in Burlington, Montpelier, Springfield, and White River Junction. All events will free and open to the public. Details will be forthcoming, announced on cartoonstudies.org.

Despite its small size, Vermont has had a disproportionately large impact on contemporary cartooning. Celebrated cartoonists Alison Bechdel, Harry Bliss, Steve Bissette, Jason Lutes, Ed Koren, and Rick Veitch call Vermont home and The Center for Cartoon Studies is attracting the next generation of talent like Joe Lambert and Colleen Frakes to the state.

In 2008, Alaskan cartoonist Chad Carpenter was recognized  as Alaska’s Cartoon Laureate at the Alaska State Fair in Palmer.

For more information on James Kochalka, visit: americanelf.com