Reviewed by Beth Stewart
The Ting Comic and Graphic Art Festival Exhibition kicked off May 1, in time to take part in Free Comic Book Day, and is now in full swing.
The 10th year of the festival features the work of 20 artists working in the mediums of comic and graphic arts. Almost half hail from, or have strong connections to, London.
Attendees will enjoy work by Aidan Urquhart, Alayna Hryclik (Soft Flirt), Antony Hare, Archie Cromwell, Ben O’Neil, Billy Bert Young, Brenda Fuhrman, Cai Sepulis, Christopher Runciman, David Collier, Dave Lapp, Derek Laufman, Eric Vedder, Jeff Lemire, Jeremy Bruneel, Jesse Jacobs, Matt James, Merle Tingley, Scott Chantler, and Scott Brian Woods.
The festival, curated by TAP Centre for Creativity, is named after Merle “Ting” Tingley, who was the London Free Press’ editorial cartoonist from 1948 to 1986. It pays homage to Tingley’s work and provides exposure for the work of other comic and graphic artists from Southwestern Ontario.
Graphic novelist Diana Tamblyn pitched the concept that became Ting Fest and was involved in its planning committee until 2024, says TAP executive director Sandra De Salvo.
Derek Laufman has been involved with Ting Fest as a local artist and creator since 2019, when he was first invited as a featured guest.
Laufman has several pieces in the current show, including the cover art for his graphic novel “The Rats of Ironwood”. Three of his novels can be found in the Ting Shop.
(Detail of Derek Laufman’s “The Rats of Ironwood Cover Art”, ink on Bristol. Photo by Beth Stewart.)
Laufman calls Ting Fest a “rare gem” and says the curators “do an incredible job highlighting local talent while helping foster a real community of comic storytellers right here in London.”
He continues, “Events like this inspire the next generation of creators within our own community, which is something truly special. Ting Fest is a unique part of the London arts scene, and I’m proud to be involved with it.”
Christopher Runciman had the honour of exhibiting his work in the inaugural 2016 show and appreciates being asked to come back and to do so again. He says the festival is a fantastic way to celebrate the importance of Merle Tingley’s artistic contribution to the history of London and the surrounding area.
(Detail of Christopher Runiciman’s “Traveller” white pencil and ink on black cardstock. Photo by Beth Stewart.)
Runciman is deeply involved in the comic industry. He has been hosting the London Comic Jam out of TAP for over a decade now, is the Art Director of the London Comic Con and owns Runciman Press Publishing. He has three pieces in the 2026 show. Most striking is “Traveller”.
He says, “TAP is an important landmark in London’s art scene and history. The Ting event and its focus on comics and graphic arts by individuals in the area proves that the gallery endeavours to support all manner of creative expression.”
(Christopher Runciman at Ting Comic Jam. Photo courtesy of TAP.)
Brenda Fuhrman, who first exhibited at Ting in 2023, also feels honoured to be part of this festival. She says, “For me, it is an opportunity to show my comic/ illustration work and to be inspired by the works of others. She has four pieces in the show, including “Drawing my Friends”, an intaglio and watercolour piece that is rich in detail.
(Brenda Fuhrman’s “Drawing my Friends”, intaglio and watercolour. Photo by Beth Stewart.)
The Ting Fest festival is more than just art on the walls; it also features free events and programs.
On May 2, exhibiting artists Billy Bert Young and Aidan Urquhart lead a Ting Punk Rock activity as part of this year’s festival. Visitors were invited to “pull up a seat”, select collage materials, and make their own 8.5-by-14-inch poster. This was a collaboration with Punk Rock Flea Market London. Some of the resulting posters are displayed along the ramp hall to the right of the main exhibition space.
On May 11, a special Ting edition of the Comic Jam was hosted by RP Comics and Heroes Comics. It challenged jammers to use the number 10 or images in multiples of 10 from panel to panel. The resulting collaborations are clever and creative and are now on display.
Yet to come, on Tuesday, May 26, from 6 to 8 pm, is The Exchange during which Brahm Wiseman, owner of Heroes Comics, and Scott Chantler, creator of Two Generals, will present five of their favourite comics or graphic novels. Also on site will be Ben Johnson of Ben’s Beer Blog who will share his brewery beverage of choice for each literary pick. Sounds like a great time.
No one needs to leave this exhibit empty-handed. The Ting Shop offers a terrific collection of print materials – from novels to T-shirts at affordable prices.
The Ting Comic and Graphic Art Festival Exhibition Gallery continues to June 6 at TAP Centre for Creativity, 203 Dundas Street, London. The centre is open Tuesday to Saturday from noon to 5 pm. For more information, visit: https://www.tapcreativity.org/
Reviewed by Beth Stewart
Beth Stewart is a writer, educator, and visual artist. She has a B.A. and a B.Ed. from the University of Windsor and a Diploma in Art Therapy from Western University. Beth has worked as an Art Therapist with Canadian war veterans and as a Secondary School Teacher of art and English for the TVDSB. She retired in 2024.
Beth was the arts editor at Scene Magazine from 2004 to 2006. She founded Artscape Magazine in 2006 and served as its editor until 2008. In addition, Beth wrote on the arts for Lifestyle Magazine from 2006 to 2017 and served as the copy editor for The Beat (in print) from 2009 to 2013.
As a visual artist, Beth works mainly in dry media and favours coloured pencil. Over the past decade, Beth’s focus has been on wild and domestic birds. Beth is a member of the Coloured Pencil Society of America, the Gallery Painting Group, the Eclectic Collage Collective, the Lambeth Art Association, and a founding member of the Coloured Pencil Artists of Canada group.
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