Early in 1987, a small group of professional cartoonists came together to form The Memphis Cartoonists Group. The name didn’t stick. By December of that year, for the third meeting and first official newsletter, the name had become The Mid-South Cartoonist Association (MSCA). The name has since remained unchanged, with the exception of the word ‘Cartoonist’ becoming plural in 2000.
The group was created to bring together cartooning professionals, aspiring professionals and enthusiasts of all ages. Cartoonist and instructor Jack Cassady is now remembered to be the founder, but others who played a large role in the origins of the organization are:
- Syndicated editorial cartoonist Scott Stantis (Chicago Tribune, USA Today, Birmingham News, syndicated strips ‘Prickly City’ and ‘The Buckets’)
- Cartoonist Sam Ray (The Commercial Appeal, The Wall Street Journal, The Saturday Evening Post, contributing writer on the syndicated strip ‘Hagar the Horrible’),
- Cartoonist Frank Cotham (The New Yorker, Penthouse Magazine)
- Artist / Cartoonist / Instructor Artiek Smith (University of Memphis, Memphis College of Art)
- Illustrator Charles Tuthill (The Commercial Appeal).
Since its origins, the group has put its creative strengths behind various cartooning classes, appearances and fundraisers. Cartoonists have visited the kids at LeBonheur Children’s Hospital, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, and the Memphis Ronald McDonald House. MSCA members supply the cartoons for Rock 103’s ‘The Funny Pages’ and dozens of other projects. Cartoon art shows presented by the MSCA have hung in venues around the metropolitan Memphis area including Mud Island, The National Civil Rights Museum, and Askew Nixon Ferguson Architects with more planned for the near future.
Other big cartooning names have filled or have risen from our ranks over the years, including:
- Syndicated cartoonist Greg Cravens (The Buckets)
- Syndicated cartoonist Jimmy Johnson (Arlo n’ Janis)
- Two-time Pulitzer Prize-winning syndicated editorial cartoonist Michael P. Ramirez (Investor’s Business Daily, Los Angeles Times, Time Magazine)
- DC Comics exclusive artist Mike Norton (DC Comics, Marvel Comics, Devil’s Due Publishing)
- Freelance artist Scott Clark (DC Comics, Marvel Comics, Image Comics)
- Freelance artist Jim Hall (Dark Horse Comics, Marvel Comics)
- Freelance artist Dean Zachary (Dark Horse Comics, DC Comics)
- Freelance artist Dave Beaty (DC Comics, Marvel Comics)
It’s not over! Many of our current members are building names for themselves teaching, working and reaching for cartoon stardom. The future is–well–funny!
Whether young or old, published or aspiring, if you love cartoons and cartooning we’ll be happy to welcome you! Meetings are held on the 1st Thursday of each month at Garibaldi’s Pizza near the University of Memphis campus at 3530 Walker Ave, Memphis, TN 38111. These meetings are open to the public, and we invite you to come by and introduce yourself!
The MSCA is affiliated with the Southeast Chapter of the National Cartoonists Society (NCS).
MSCA membership dues are $25 annually, and all memberships are automatically registered with the Southeast Chapter of the NCS. Membership includes:
- Opportunity to participate in MSCA-sposored art shows and events
- Quarterly Southeast Chapter newsletter
- Invitation to Southeast Chapter annual events
- Access to online forums and webspace to display your artwork
- Opportunity to interact with and learn from other artists
- Assistance with becoming a regular member of the National Cartoonists Society
Download the membership form today.
Please contact us for more information.
The Mid-South Cartoonists Association
PO Box 770397
Memphis, TN 38177-0397