Friday, Oct. 2 at 4 p.m. —WHITE RIVER JUNCTION— What began in 2021 as an effort by three artists to create a local gathering for independent cartoonists has grown into an annual celebration expected to draw more than 300 people to downtown White River Junction.
The TWin STate Comic and Zine Fair, better known as TWIST, will celebrate its fifth year Friday, Oct. 2, at JAM – Junction Arts & Media, 5 S. Main St. The free event will feature 35 tabling artists and take place alongside White River Junction’s monthly First Friday celebration.
Artists Alex Bullett, Rachel Bivens and Cedar O’Dowd founded TWIST in 2021, building on White River Junction’s growing community of cartoonists and the presence of the Center for Cartoon Studies.
“Like the années folles of Paris in the 20s or the New York punk scene in the 60s, White River Junction, VT has this gravitational pull for cartoonists right now,” said O’Dowd, TWIST co-founder and JAM’s community outreach coordinator.
TWIST focuses on comics, zines and other work from self-published and small-press creators. Zines — a shortened form of “magazine” — are small, independently produced publications often created around an artist’s particular interests, stories or ideas.
“The Upper Valley is home to a remarkable community of artists and writers whose unique voices deserve to be supported and celebrated,” said Bullett, who has self-published his serialized comic, “Goblins, Goblins,” for more than a decade.
Unlike many comics festivals, TWIST charges no admission and no artist fees. Organizers say maintaining that accessibility has been central to the event since its creation.
“I’m proud to keep TWIST free to exhibit and visit for all. It means folks of all kinds can be a part of the zine and comics community. We’re always excited to bring new voices into the show,” said Bivens, a professor at the Center for Cartoon Studies and co-founder of the Ignatz Award-winning press Go Press Girl!
This year’s 35 exhibiting artists represent a range of independent comics and illustration work. The organizing team includes JAM staff members Ana Liu and O’Dowd, along with community volunteers Bullett, Bivens and Jenna Jurgelewicz.
The Oct. 2 fair is part of several days of TWIST-related programming. A gallery exhibition featuring local cartoonists will be on view from Sept. 25 through Oct. 5. A live comics reading for ages 21 and older is planned for Oct. 1 at the Filling Station Bar.
During the fair itself, visitors of all ages can also participate in a Zine Factory Workshop at the Center for Cartoon Studies from 5:30-6:30 p.m.
JAM has hosted TWIST throughout its five-year history with support from grants, foundations, community donations and local sponsors.
TWIST will run from 4-8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 2, at JAM – Junction Arts & Media, 5 S. Main St. in White River Junction. Admission is free.
For more information, visit: uvjam.org.
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