The Dairy Barn Cultural Arts Center will showcase the work of graphic novel artists from around the globe Friday.
Beyond Words: The Art of the Graphic Novel will feature art from more than 50 artists as well as a youth exhibit. It opens at 5 p.m. and will have the work on display through Sept. 9.
This exhibit will have original works by a plethora of artists from both the U.S. and abroad.
“It is an exhibition of over 50 artisans from all over the world who do graphic novel illustrations and in some cases are also writers,” said Jane Forrest Redfern, director of the Dairy Barn. “It is one of the most diverse graphic novel shows in the country.”
The exhibit includes work from two female graphic artists, Redfern said, adding that it will also include chapter four of David Mack’s New York Times best-selling book, Kabuki: The Alchemy.
Some of the art is coming to the Dairy Barn from across the ocean, while some is making shorter trips from closer to Athens.
“David Mack is from Cincinnati,” Redfern said. “Carl Wyckaert from Belgium is displaying 60 of the pieces from his collection and will be giving a talk about his collection Friday at 1 p.m. and two (talks) Saturday at 1:30 and 3:30 p.m.”
Wyckaert, who will be displaying only a portion of his total collection this summer at the Dairy Barn, said he has been collecting the works of graphic artists for about a decade.
“I kind of started with Americans when I saw some David Mack pieces and realized they were for sale,” Wyckaert said. “I collect some European pieces, but that is based more on nostalgia. I was most impressed with the mixed media American artists. They remain my favorite to collect.”
Wyckaert said his collection in its entirety consists of about 200 pieces, but much of it is by graphic artists who have moved into the fine arts territory. What will be displayed at the Dairy Barn is focused on the work of actual graphic novels, he said.
The youth exhibit, called “Where Literature and Visual Arts Meet,” is a medium for local young adults to show off their graphic art prowess.
“ ‘Where Literature and Visual Arts Meet’ is a juried exhibition featuring the diverse styles and visions of young artists,” according to a press release from the Dairy Barn.
The event is $4 for adults and free for local middle and high school students.
“It will probably be one of the most diverse crowds we’ve seen in a while because graphic novel art dates back to comic books,” Redfern said. “So you have people who have been collecting comics for years.”
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