UWindsor’s English Department is teaming up with the Art Gallery of Windsor (AGW) to create the exhibit, Between the Panels: The Comics Art of David Collier, David Finch, Jeff Lemire and Kagan McLeod, that will be on display at the AGW in downtown Windsor from May 30 until September 20. 

“By bringing comics into the gallery, we want to celebrate the diversity and beauty of the comics medium,” says Suzanne Matheson.

Dale Jacobs and Dr. Matheson, associate professors from the English Language, Literature and Creative Writing department, are jointly curating the exhibit that highlights work by Canadian artists who were born in, or who lived in, Windsor and Essex County. 

“A lot of talent comes out of Windsor and Windsor artists are a big part of the international comics’ scene,” says Dr. Jacobs.  “We specifically chose four artists who show off the diversity and versatility of the medium.”

Jacobs and Matheson collaborated with their third and fourth year students to produce educational material that will accompany the show. The UWindsor students took Jacobs’ course, Comics Theory, and Matheson’s course, Writing about the Arts, before writing the class resource booklets that will be on hand for teachers, as well as grade school and high school students, to reference on field trips.

“We knew when we started this community venture that we wanted to involve our students,” says Matheson.

The exhibit features 68 sketches, drawings and works on paper.

The exhibit will be free with admission to the AGW and officially opens on Saturday, May 30.  Opening day will feature a pay-what-you-can admission to a panel discussion with David Collier and Kagan McLeod.

You can get a sneak peak for $10 (free for AGW members) on Friday, May 29 at AGW’s Fridays Live, Opening Reception for Spring Exhibitions from 7 to 10 p.m.  All four comic artists will be available at the Friday night Opening Reception.