MONTPELIER, VT—Norwich resident Tillie Walden will be appointed Vermont’s fifth Cartoonist Laureate on Thursday, April 13, 2023, when she will be recognized on the Vermont Statehouse floor.
Walden is one of the most celebrated and accomplished cartoonists working today. She won the 2018 Eisner Award for Best Reality-Based Work for her graphic novel memoir “Spinning,” making her at 22 one of the youngest Eisner Award winners ever.
Beautifully crafted and charged with emotion, Walden’s work is celebrated for its intimate and authentic portrayal of adolescence that often explores queer themes. Entertainment Weekly named her as one of “the most essential graphic novelists of her generation.”
Walden’s other graphic novels include “On a Sunbeam,” “Are You Listening?” and the children’s book, created with cartoonist Emma Hunsinger, “My Parents Won’t Stop Talking!” Her current work includes a graphic novel trilogy featuring “The Walking Dead” character, Clementine and two middle grade graphic novels created with musicians Tegan and Sara. Walden is a graduate of The Center for Cartoon Studies (CCS) in White River Junction. She became a professor at CCS in 2021.
“I’m so pleased Tillie Walden will serve as Vermont’s next cartoonist laureate,” said US Representative Becca Balint. “She creates richly imagined worlds that transport readers on emotional and fantastical journeys and reminds us all of the importance of having a deep sense of self. Congratulations for this special accomplishment, and thank you for being part of a unique tradition that sets Vermont apart.”
Vermont has the distinction of being the only state that regularly appoints a cartoonist laureate—a term that lasts three years. Burlington’s James Kochalka, Brookfield’s Ed Koren, Bolton’s Alison Bechdel, and West Townshend’s Rick Veitch were the state’s first four cartoonist laureates respectively. Despite its small size, Vermont has had a disproportionately large impact on contemporary cartooning where many celebrated cartoonists call the state home.
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About the Vermont Arts Council
The Vermont Arts Council envisions a Vermont where all people have access to the arts and creativity in their lives, education, and communities. Engagement with the arts transforms individuals, connects us more deeply to each other, energizes the economy, and sustains the vibrant cultural landscape that makes Vermont a great place to live. Since 1965, the Council has been the state’s primary provider of funding, advocacy, and information for the arts in Vermont. Learn more at vermontartscouncil.org
About the Center for Cartoon Studies
The Center for Cartoon Studies (CCS) course of study is designed for a small group of dedicated students with a passion and appreciation for graphic novels, storytelling, writing, comics, and design. Faculty includes experienced and internationally recognized cartoonists, writers, and designers. CCS offers the MFA degree, One- and Two-Year Certificates in Cartooning, and Workshops. Learn more at cartoonstudies.org
Tags: Are You Listening?, cartoonist, Cartoonist Laureate, CCS Alum, On A Sunbeam, Spinning, Tillie Walden, Vermont
